What's the big IDEA?

What's hot in fitness this year?

I just returned from the number one fitness event of the year, the 27th annual IDEA World Fitness Convention in Los Angeles and I’m here to tell you.

Over 5,000 fitness and wellness professionals and industry's top experts taught over 300 cutting-edge sessions. The goal was to keep fitness professional and enthusiasts ahead of the pack.

The trends are continuing to move toward functional, balanced, exercise programs designed to keep you fit and injury-free.

They are not about lifting heavier weights, but more about functional and fun life-enhancing training and equipment.

Dance-infused programs with body weight movements also promote motivation through exercise that everyone can’t seem to get enough of.

"It's pretty clear from the front-line program directors that they see things trending even more strongly toward more functional, life-enhancing types of training and equipment," says Kathie Davis, IDEA's executive director, of a survey report released by the organization last week.

"Training is all about balance and function, such as promoting an increased quality of life, reducing injuries and keeping people more actively engaged in life as they age," she added.

BOSU balance trainers, balance boards and core programs continue to grow in popularity.

More gyms are also incorporating body weight leverage equipment and programs into their facilities. For example, the TRX Suspension Trainers, ropes, foam rollers, and movement based group programs.

Corebar, a hot fitness trend in Scandinavia, hit the United States at the convention this year.

Zumba, Pilates, and Spinning also got their start at large-scale trade shows.

Corebar, was created in Oslo by Anita Tonne a 37-year-old trainer and mother of two. The technique aims to follow the success of core-centric fitness programs.

The technique, not for the faint of heart, features non-stop, high-intensity aerobic moves using a bent bar with three different weight ranges: 1 kg/2.2 lbs, 2 kg/4.4 lbs and 3 kg/6.6 lbs.

Tonne designed the bar to help maintain "spine integrity" while participants sweat their way through the series. The light weight is designed to get the heart pumping and allow for powerful, functional, high energy movements.

Tonne launched her program in Norway in 2006 with the goal of reaching 50 gyms and producing three home fitness DVDs.

Corebar is now taught in more than 300 gyms in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and she has produced seven DVDs.

Her staff has also increased from one (her mother) to 16 full-time employees in Norway. She is one of my favorite presenters at each show I have seen her at. Watch Corebar in action.

Other fitness newcomers included Latin cardio-dance techniques similar to Zumba.

I was a presenter and exhibitor for Bad Kitty Sassy Fitness, the brand of fitness created by me, a Danville mom and fitness expert, right here in Danville.

I was extremely honored and privileged to present a ‘Glow in the Dark Bad Kitty Sassy Fitness Party Class’ at the convention.

The show attracted over 5,000 attendees from around the globe.

Each year, the IDEA World Fitness Convention showcases groundbreaking fitness trends and sessions taught by industry experts.

This year some of the experts included Tony Horton (creator of P90X) and Chalene Johnson (creator of Turbo Kick). The convention also offers an exciting Expo Hall filled with the newest innovations from top fitness companies offering special show pricing.

If you are in the health and fitness industry, you cannot miss this event next year in San Diego.

Whether you are a seasoned professional, new professional or fitness and wellness enthusiast, this is the place to rejuvenate your passion for fitness.