Top Five Fitness Trends for Women in 2011

Every year we get the usual lists of what's going to be the hot fitness 'trend' of the new year. This year's list from the American College of Sports Medicine had some great movement in women's fitness. Below is a list of the top five fitness trends for women in 2011. Some of them we've seen before, but with some reworking they're back, more beneficial and better than ever.

1. Getting Kids Involved
Childhood obesity is a real problem in America, so expect to see kids getting in on the fitness fun int he new year! Many fitness videos, classes, and health clubs are adding a child fitness component. If you work out at home, get the kids involved! If you jog, have them jog with you or ride their bikes a safe distance ahead. It's up to parents to set a good example through healthy living.

2. Spinning (Indoor Cycling)
Spinning has been around for a while and had "fad" status at one point, but now, it's back in a huge way. It is very intense, and downright brutal at times, but nothing gets you in better cardiovascular shape and melts the pounds off faster than spinning. You can burn 500+ calories in a single class.

3. Boot Camp
Like Spinning, Boot Camp had 'fad' status years back, but now it's making a resurgence. The new "Boot Camps" are much less 5am military style, and more total fitness, intense circuit training, style. By incorporating dance, cardio, strength training, and yoga they're much more well rounded and fun than before.

4. Yoga
Yoga has evolved into a fitness genre all its own over the last decade. Now there are complete libraries full of different disciplines, and studios that offer an array of different classes. There are also more "Yoga Inspired" hybrids that incorporate core strength training, endurance and other exercises into a yoga workout. Yoga is still one of the most inexpensive and portable workouts out there.

5. Group Personal Training
Personal Training is no longer for the elite. Women are now getting groups of friends together to split the cost of an hour of personal training while working out together. If you're thinking about this, be sure that your group isn't too large to reap the benefits of one on one training. So try to keep the group smaller than four.

With these five trends, getting in shape for 2011 can be fun and an adventure! Did any of these trends pique your interest? Which one? All of them? Fitness is an important part of life and a great way to help achieve balance in your life. Here's to a healthy, happy and fit 2011!