LOOKING good, staying healthy and having fun ? and not having to spend too much to get all that. Yes, that?s still possible. And more so this year, as novel ideas that were started or experimented on last year have caught on and been taken to the next level. Here are some health and fitness trends that are definitely here for the year, offering a diverse selection of routines that are fun and exciting, light on the pocket, and easy enough to engage in outdoors or indoors.

1. Core Training. For some five years now, the fitness spotlight has focused on the core muscles (all the muscles attached to the spine), which are seen to be -- well, the core of good health and great shape. The trend is expected to intensify as health and fitness buffs and professionals continue to discover new ways -- in and out of the gym -- to gain the right curves by concentrating on the core. The following fun workouts that specifically target the core musculature have been getting rave reviews from local fitness associations:

a. Hula Hoop. A definite bulge-trimmer that works on unsightly baggage around the waist and hips. The continuous hip swiveling and side-rocking movements provide a good general body workout. The exercise also improves flexibility and coordination and enhances dexterity. A plus factor is that hula hooping can be done by anyone, anywhere -- from the housewife catching on up her favorite soaps to the corporate fellow de-stressing in his private office after a rough day. But for those who prefer to do all their workouts in the gym, there are fitness centers that now offer hula hoop classes. The Alabang Country Club, for instance has 90-minute ?Hoop Pilates? sessions that incorporate the hula hoop into a Pilates base workout.

b. Reebok Core Board. Gold?s Gym Philippines has formulated a 30-minute express workout called Extreme Core, which utilizes a core board. The Reebok Core Board is a versatile platform that tilts, rocks and swivels in multiple directions and has three levels of resistance so beginners can work their way up to an advanced workout. Integrated training engages the muscles to work in unison, including the small deep musculature that protects the spine and joints, resulting in improved balance, stability and reduced injury occurrence -- while burning a whole lot of calories.

c. Stability Ball (or Medicine Ball). Originally part of the physical therapy regimen for the neuro-developmental treatment of patients with orthopedic and medical problems, this has been adapted by the fitness industry to strengthen the core musculature. The stability ball is convenient to use at home or in the office. One call center company has even encouraged its agents to use a medicine ball instead of a chair while at work because it improves their core strength while keeping them wide awake through their shift, as they have to be in a consciously upright position while on top of the ball. Fitness centers are also enjoining their clients to incorporate the stability or medicine ball into their weight training program.

d. Bosu Balance Trainer. The Bosu is similar to a stability ball, only cut in half and mounted on a platform, both sides of which offer different ways of challenging the core. This particular equipment works out the core, the gluteus (buttock muscles), thighs and legs. There are different exercises you can do with the Bosu, and quite a number of fitness centers in the country conduct group exercise classes using it.

e. Pilates and Yoga Classes. The rage continues -- pilates and yoga remain a hit workout in 2010. The advantage of joining a class is that every student is properly supervised by a certified instructor, especially as regards breathing, proper execution and form.

2. Exotifit. If ?zumba? was the big-time rave a couple of years ago, this 2010, welcome ?Exotifit.? Founded and created by Filipino-American fitness guru Maria Amor, Exotifit started in Los Angeles, California and is a unique blend of cultural dances and fitness formats modified and perfected to become a sexy, fun and entertaining dance aerobic workout. This ?wonder workout,? as fans and followers call it, uses cultural dances, music and exotic moves combined with artistic teaching methods and scientific fitness benefits.

The hour-long dance aerobics consists of a minimum of six to seven types of exotic dance routines and can be modified from low to high impact. So far, exotifit has been able to incorporate the following dance formats, with more expected as it makes its way around the world: belly dance, Bollywood, salsa, cha-cha, meringue, rumba, swing, tango, Hawaiian, African, lap/strip/pole, Latin dance fusion, Jamaican (reggae), Flamenco, hip-hop, as well as Thai, Balinese and Filipino cultural dances.

Dan Cabiling, Exotifit ambassador in Asia and a group fitness instructor at Gold?s Gym Philippines, expects this workout to rock the country?s fitness industry and keep students on their toes and coming back.

3. TRX Suspension Training. Contrary to common perception, getting a bodybuilder?s physique, all buff and bulk, is not every man?s dream. The average male gym-goer aims for the right muscle with prominent cuts and perfect symmetry -- a body like that of the underwear model on the billboard on EDSA.

The TRX suspension training may give just that, in a system which targets the core muscle, utilizing one?s own body weight as a resistance. One advantage of this trainer is that it?s very handy and can be done anywhere. Joseph Velasco, one of the top personal trainers in the country, has been using the system and has helped his clients achieve their fitness goals in a short span of time. It?s the best training that can get you the closest to perfect body symmetry. TRX works for women, too. It?s not just weight-lifting so it eases traditional fears of muscle build-up for women who work out.

4. Affordable and Low-Cost Personal Training. Filipinos too have been greatly affected by the global recession so fitness buffs are always on the look out for cheaper ways to exercise with a personal trainer. A lot of the high end fitness centers in the country have dropped their personal training costs and now offer couple and group personal training, says Connie Soriano, a personal trainer at the Punch Out Boxing Center in Makati. Aside from the savings, group workouts can be more fun as participants can motivate each other during the session.

5. Exergames. The name alone sounds like fun. For the past couple of years, big names in the video games industry have been successfully creating games that improve dexterity while engaging the major muscle groups of the human body. Wii Fit has been very popular in this field. They have simulations of the most famous exercises in the industry like yoga, Pilates, dance and aerobic exercises. They also have simulations of different sports and functional training that can make you break a sweat as much as the real thing.

6. Virtual Personal Training. It used to be that training with certified instructors literally means a face-to-face workout with them. Some are even supervised by a high caliber instructor or trainer to the stars. The Internet now makes all that possible --through virtual personal training. Jeanette Carpio, an American Council of Exercise certified personal trainer has started this kind of training for clients overseas and outside Metro Manila. She chats with her clients through the Internet and talks about their goals, exercise programs, or anything that involves the business. She then monitors their progress, depending on the availability of their schedules.

Carpio works with nutritionist Cristina Marasigan, RD, who creates a dietary program for her clients and thus plays a role in the process as well. Due to its reasonable cost and proven effectiveness, virtual personal training has gained quite a following last year and is expected to gain more adherents this year.

For sure, these trends are basically just ideas that illustrate how the fitness industry has evolved in modern times. Other options are possible; the bottom line is to keep moving your body to improve your general body health and stay in shape. ?