Want the inside track on the latest fitness trends? Whether it’s the weighted hula hoop on TikTok or the meteoric rise of wearable tech, there’s always something new emerging in the industry. So, what’s hot in fitness and exercise right now?
In this article, we analyze the latest fitness and workout trends, what they mean for the industry, and the opportunities they present.
- Current Fitness Trends
- New & Emerging Trends
- Trending Fitness Topics
- ACSM & Mindbody Insights
- Industry Research Report
We’ve spent 15+ years working in the fitness industry with leading gym chains and global equipment companies, so we know the exercise market inside out. We monitor and analyze fitness industry trends, and share these insights through our research reports, articles, and market research services.
The most comprehensive & up-to-date report on the fitness industry available. Includes revenue, growth, future outlook plus much more.
Current Fitness Trends
We analyzed fitness trend data and research from leading industry organisations to identify the macro trends that were consistent across the market.
Looking at the ACSM’s latest survey results, MindBody’s wellness report, and insights from our own audience of fitness business owners gave us a wealth of qualitative and quantitative info to draw on. And there are distinct patterns around what’s popular across the industry…
Current fitness trends that will remain popular in 2025 include wearables, strength training, programs for older adults, weight loss, and holistic wellness…
- Wearable tech
- Strength training
- Programs for older adults
- Weight loss
- Holistic wellness
For anyone in the fitness industry, these established trends are unlikely to come as a surprise. We’ll talk about emerging ones a bit further down, but first, let’s explore these current ones in more detail…
Wearable Tech
The fitness wearables market is worth $46.5bn and growing at a rate of 15-20%, supported by huge marketing investments from brands like Google and Apple. ACSM’s latest survey of almost 2000 fitness professionals put wearable tech as the #1 fitness trend for the fourth year in a row. It was also the top trend in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020, so is pretty well-established.
Strength Training
Strength training has been a staple exercise method since the earliest days of working out. MindBody’s recent trends report predicts that strength will remain a top training area due to its importance in longevity and healthy aging. Although it disappeared from the ACSM’s rankings last year, it’s returned to the #5 position for 2025.
Given that governments include strength training in their core physical activity recommendations, we assess that it’s likely to remain a top workout trend for the long-term.
Fitness Programs for Older Adults
Fitness programs for older adults is a consistent trend across all the data sources we reviewed. It’s ACSM’s 3rd most popular fitness trend and highlighted as a growth area by MindBody who predict that ‘older adults will head to fitness studios in greater numbers’. It’s also a demographic that our audience of fitness business owners have flagged as one they intend to target in the future.
As people live longer and the global population ages, there’ll clearly be more demand in this area. Therefore programs for older adults is one trend that every fitness business and industry pro should be paying attention to.
Exercise for weight loss
Weight loss is always a central theme in the fitness industry and 2025 is no different. It’s not really surprising given weight loss is a $26bn industry in itself. But what is changing is the way society views and talks about excess weight – the fitness industry needs to take note of the body positivity and empowerment movement.
Holistic Wellness
Holistic wellness is another fitness trend that’s reflected across all the industry data. Worksite health promotion, exercise for mental health, lifestyle medicine, along with health and wellness coaching all feature in ACSM’s top 20 trends. Community and sleep are highlighted as trending areas in MindBody’s report, showcasing how consumers are viewing wellness through a broader lens than simply fitness and nutrition.
Wearables, strength training, programs for older adults, weight loss, and holistic wellness are the top fitness trends for 2025. They’re well established and look set to continue in the coming years. But what other health and fitness trends are emerging on the horizon?
You might also like… Latest wellness trends, insights on the exercise industry, gym & health club market, or fitness market analysis.
2025 Fitness Industry Report Sample
Download a free sample of our Fitness Market Report so you can see what it’s like inside…
New Fitness Trends
One of the most fun things about working in health and fitness is that it’s always evolving. The science is constantly improving, consumer preferences are changing, and there’s always some creative workout brand coming up with new, innovative training methods. 2025 will be no different and that’s what keeps the sector fresh and exciting.
Emerging trends in the fitness industry include exercise for mental health, longevity, online personal training, and data-driven training technology. Let’s look at why they’re becoming increasingly popular…
Exercise for mental health
Broader trends towards improving mental health are driving increased interest in the benefits exercise can offer. Stress reduction is one of the top reasons why people exercise, and its benefits in relation to depression and anxiety are increasingly well-known.
Online fitness
The online fitness market is growing at over 33% per year. It’s outperforming more traditional segments of the market like gyms (growing at +7.5%) and equipment (growing at +3%). It’s being helped along by the rise of wearable tech and mobile training apps, so is one area fitness businesses should take full advantage of (or risk being left behind).
You might also like… How to start an online fitness training business or strategies for selling online coaching.
Longevity
Motivations for exercising are evolving – 10 years ago the top-cited reason was to look good, three years ago it was to control weight, and two years back it was stress relief. But last year, longevity was the most popular reason why people exercised so it’s a rapidly trending fitness topic.
Data-driven training technology
Data-driven training technology was a new entrant into ACSM’s trend list last year and rose to the top 10 in 2025. It involves clients and trainers using ‘real-time data output, such as heart rate, velocity, and speed, to guide their workout experiences’.
This approach to training supports more personalized training, even in group settings, which is something that Millennials particularly value. While monitoring workout data isn’t new, the increased focus and demand for it could present innovative opportunities for fitness brands.
The most comprehensive & up-to-date report on the fitness industry available. Includes revenue, growth, future outlook plus much more.
Trending Fitness Topics
So far we’ve covered macro fitness and exercise trends that are impacting the industry. But there are smaller trends and fads that pop up on social media and fitness websites which aren’t captured in the research data. These trending fitness topics make ideal content for health and wellness brands, whether it’s to ride their wave of popularity or debunk inaccurate info.
At the time of writing, the top trending fitness topics are…
- 2025 fitness trends and resolutions (always popular in January!)
- 75 hard challenge
- Cozy cardio
- The #12-3-30 workout
- Muscle Mummies (proving women can be strong and powerful)
- AI workout plans
We aim to update this section regularly as new fitness topics and gym trends emerge online. But if you have a suggestion then feel free to get in touch and let us know!
You might also like… our articles on Yoga Industry Insights, Growth Areas & Trends. and Nutrition Market Trends & Growth Segments.
2025 Fitness Industry Report Sample
Download a free sample of our Fitness Market Report so you can see what it’s like inside…
ACSM & Mindbody Research Into Industry Trends
Two of the most credible trend reports in the fitness industry come from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Mindbody. We’ve referenced their fantastic research several times already, but it’s worth outlining their findings so you have a comprehensive picture of the top trends.
According to the ACSM, the top 10 fitness trends for 2025 are…
- Wearable technology ↔
- Mobile exercise apps ↑
- Fitness programs for older adults ↔
- Exercise for weight loss ↔
- Traditional strength training ↑
- High-intensity interval training ↑
- Data-driven training technology ↑
- Exercise for mental health ↔
- Functional fitness training ↑
- Health/wellness coaching ↑
The arrows indicate whether the trend is up or down from last year so you have an idea of which direction they’re moving in.
You can read the ACSM’s full 2025 trend survey results here.
Mindbody produced a predictions report that takes a more qualitative approach. They interview a number of fitness industry leaders and then collate their views (supported by data) into themes for the year. According to the latest Mindbody report, the top fitness and wellness trends are…
- Train Strong, Live Long – Strength training will be the key to longevity.
- Get the Party Started – Beauty and wellness community events will become increasingly popular.
- Beauty Under a Microscope – Consumers will expect science-based, performance-proven products and services.
- ZZZs Are the Best Medicine – The importance of sleep hygiene will continue to grow.
- Warming Up to Hot and Cold – Consumers will combine temperature therapies.
- Boomers Go Boutique – Older adults will head to fitness studios in greater numbers.
You can read the Mindbody & Classpass Predictions Report here.
2025 Fitness Industry Report
This is the most comprehensive and up-to-date health and fitness industry research report available. Unlike others, you get extended access to the 2025 edition, including any updates that are made as new market data becomes available. Ideal for business planning, the 90-page report includes…
- Health & fitness industry revenue & growth by market segment
- Gym market size, growth & membership statistics
- Online & virtual fitness market developments
- Financial information for the largest club operators globally
- Biggest & fastest growing fitness franchises
- Insights into the boutique fitness studio & personal training segments
- Latest industry trends & how to capitalise on them
- Growth markets, segments & audiences including Millennials
- Data on consumer & commercial fitness equipment segments
- Outlook & evidence-based predictions for the future of the industry
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The most comprehensive & up-to-date report on the fitness industry available. Includes revenue, growth, future outlook plus much more.
What do you think about these trends – are any of them surprising? Or is there anything you think is missing? Let us know your thoughts on social media or via our contact form…
