Ways to get fit in 2009

Out: Pricey club memberships. In: DVDs.

Out: Hourlong workouts. In: Half-hour.

Out: Boring routines. In: The Wii.

This year is all about budget-friendly, time-efficient and fun workouts, according to fitness experts. Here are their predictions for how we'll be getting in shape in the new year.

THE TREND: Small dance studios

From Tamilee Webb, known for "Buns & Abs of Steel"

Webb predicts that group fitness classes will move out of huge health clubs and back into smaller studios, as in the 1980s, when aerobic dance took off.

"In the olden days, it was an exercise group studio, you'd run in, know most of the women, and run out," said Webb, who teaches at a big health club.

"In a big club environment, it is a different energy and vibration."

She said many of her students ignore the club's other amenities and would prefer something smaller, simpler and cheaper.

So while most smaller studios are for yoga and Pilates, she sees more classes in aerobic dance, toning and even circuit training being offered in similar places.

THE TREND: Fitness boot camp

From the American Council of Exercise Top Fitness Trends for 2009

This military-style workout doesn't seem to be going away. This is the third time boot camp has been on the ACE's Top Fitness Trends List, according to chief science officer Cedric Bryant.

Boot camps offer a "change of pace from the traditional workout experience," Bryant said. The workouts, which incorporate moves such as lunges, push-ups and squats, also challenge people in a way that's empowering, he said.

But results also have a lot to do with it. Boot camps are time-efficient and effective, he said. And of course, he adds, some credit goes to the marketing. There are fitness boot camps for prom, high school reunions, weddings and singles.

THE TREND: Ballroom dancing

From Jeanette Jenkins, "Jeanette Jenkins Hollywood Trainer - Sexy Arms, Abs & Legs" DVD

Thanks to "Dancing With the Stars," there's going to be more interest in ballroom dancing, Jenkins said. In the past, people were more apt to find hip-hop and Brazilian dance in their fitness centers, she said.

"The show made it very cool to ballroom dance," she said. "You're going to start seeing ballroom dancing where you've never seen it before."

Jenkins said Brooke Burke's seventh-season win is an inspiration to women. She sees more mothers signing up for classes. Burke has four children, no background training in dance and an "unbelievable, beautiful body," she said.

THE TREND: Fun and games

From Carole Carson, author of "From Fat to Fit"

"Exergaming," such as "Wii Fit" and "Dance Dance Revolution," will bring fun and appealing exercise activities back into the home, Carson said.

There will also be a return to the popular exercises of childhood, such as trampolining and hula hooping, she said.

"We're making it fun again," Carson said. "You can have a lot of fun getting fit."

Look for more health clubs to purchase Expresso Bikes - stationary bikes with interactive software that simulates the experience of biking outdoors.

THE TREND: Working out at home

From Ingrid Von Burg of "Yoga for Families" and "Yoga for Grandparents" DVDs, and Pamela Peeke, senior medical correspondent for the Discovery Health National Body Challenge.

Hard economic times mean more people will work out in their homes.

Von Burg, who teaches at two yoga studios in New York City, said students are already forgoing her classes for DVDs; not only is it more economical - but a group of people can do it together as opposed to each paying for classes at a studio, she said.

Many yoga instructors are offering short instructional videos on their Web sites that students can download for free, she said.

Peeke predicts more people will set up a home gym rather than purchasing a membership to a health club.

THE TREND: Senior fitness

From Amie Hoff, personal trainer, New York Sports Clubs

Hoff predicts more classes at senior centers, nursing homes and health clubs to help seniors with balance and coordination. Seniors who were never into fitness are getting in shape, she said.

"They are realizing the benefits of having more stamina throughout the day, stronger legs to get them up and down the stairs," said Hoff, who has senior clients.

Hoff said many seniors are signing up for Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness Program, which is coming to Curves in January. SilverSneakers, which is for Medicare-eligible individuals, offers physical activity, health education and social events at participating locations.

THE TREND: Short workouts

From David Kirsch, "Anytime, Anywhere Workout" on WeightWatchers.com, Tracey Staehle, "Fit By Tracey - Walking Strong"

People will be doing shorter workouts, Kirsch said. He has 10-minute circuit workouts; people can do three in the course of the day with no machines.

"The idea is to get away from the traditional 45-minute to an hour workout, three sets of this, three sets of that," said Kirsch.

Staehle said more health clubs are offering 30-minute versions of group fitness classes, such as Pilates, step, and body pump. Her "step lite" class runs nonstop for 30 minutes.

"People like to get in, have a great workout that is intense, time efficient, and get out," she said.

THE TREND: Personalized DVD or Web workouts

From Michele Olson, professor of exercise science, University of Alabama Montgomery, "10 Minute Solution: Kettlebell Ultimate Fat Burner" DVD

Olson said some people may find ways to create their own exercise DVDs by mixing and matching clips from multiple sources, such as YouTube videos, fitness DVDs and downloadable workouts that are on trainer and magazine Web sites. For example, people can create their own video workout on www.fitness magazine.com.

"There's more access to personalize the exercise video clips into an amalgamation of something that really meets your needs," she said.

THE TREND: Suspension training

From Jeff Halevy, personal trainer and fitness coach

Halevy predicts that suspension training will continue to catch on. While many pro sports teams and fighters use suspension trainers, such as the TRX, regular people are working out with them, he said.

A suspension trainer is essentially a pair of straps with handles that you attach to any overhead point, such as a beam, tree limb or door. Part of your body is off the ground on every exercise. For example, you can do push-ups or squats holding the handles or put your feet in the handles and do crunches.

"It's part of this whole functional training movement," Halevy said. "Why athletes like it so much is because it replicates real-life activities."

THE TREND: Basketball

From David Zinczenko, editor-in-chief of Men's Health magazine and editorial director of Women's Health magazine

Zinczenko predicts that President-elect Barack Obama will bring basketball back to the forefront after several dark years.

"You have a group of high-profile basketball players in the White House, and you're going to see Obama and his team playing ball the way you saw Bush clearing brush and Clinton jogging the streets," he said.

Basketball will be seen as an upscale, sophisticated sport played by accomplished people, as it was in the early '90s, he said. Back then, there were high-profile stars including Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, and people like Clarence Thomas and Al Gore played the sport.