One of the things I like about the fitness industry is that it is dynamic, constantly shifting, morphing, and experimenting with some novel idea, training method, behavior change strategy or innovative piece of exercise equipment to get people excited about building physical activity into their daily life. Here are a few fun and fascinating fitness fads – or trends – that I think will emerge and continue to evolve in 2010.

• Brain Fitness – Memory enhancing drills combined with appropriate exercise for the 77 million baby boomers to help stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and maintain cognitive function as they age. Watch for some of the new programs on the market – Cognifit, Happyneuron, BrainSavers, and Neuronet.

•  Rise of the amateur athlete – Weekly charity events will continue to draw first time participants as the masses swell to the starting line for runs, walks, cycling events, triathlons and a variety of sporting events that raise money for great causes.

•  Conductorsize – Inspired by Maestro David Dworkin, a group exercise class popular with older adults and those that enjoy classical music.

•  Energy-boosting programming – Sleep enhancement and strategies, time management, relaxation programming and aids, and physical activities that combat depression.

•  Health equals wealth movement –Increased self-responsibility in managing ones health and health care. Healthier individuals spend less money on health care and medication than those less healthy and with more chronic disease conditions.

•  Eco-friendly wellness products  – natural organic yoga mats and props, workout clothing, herbal aromatherapy and massage lotions – this is just the beginning.

•  Active summer camps and adventure travel for adults and families – multisport camps, outward-bound family adventures, baseball camps for dads and sons, trekking tours, outdoor recreational activities will continue to grow.

•  Fitness 2.0 – Technology will drive exergaming, spurred by the WiiFit movement. Watch for more virtual challenges and competitions by Concept 2, Stairmaster and others. And you can now walk, run, or cycle all over the world with training DVDs from Epic Rides, Spinervals, and others. Smart phone applications for fitness, wellness and nutrition will continue to proliferate as well as online personal training and coaching, diet programs, fitness communities and social networks.

•  Mind body connection – Enlightenment that wellness begins from the inside out, not outside in, and an understanding that emotions play a vital role in manifesting sickness or wellness.

I am sure there will be others that will surprise, enlighten or just be utterly ridiculous…so let’s see how 2010 plays out.