Despite the seemingly positive impact of fitness content on social media platforms on the motivation of people to engage in fitness activities, the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) found that in 2024 nearly 31% of the world’s population (approximately 1.8 billion adults) remained physically inactive.
With that in mind, we need to consider how the fitness industry will consider these statistics and move forward in making the future of trends more accessible, inclusive, and of course effective in achieving people’s fitness goals.
Popular Fitness Trends in Recent Years
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) publishes an annual health and fitness journal that includes a worldwide survey determining the fitness industry’s trends, with input from industry professionals.
2023 Trends
In 2023, the industry saw a significant shift as the world began opening up again following the COVID-19 pandemic. Fitness trends during this period were moving away from home workouts and online training sessions; favoring a return to fitness basics and activities that were more akin to functional fitness.
Wearable Technology
Wearable technology, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, and GPS trackers, was the most popular fitness trend to arise post-pandemic. Features in wearable technology provide a more personalized and in-depth look at the user’s habits, making them easier to monitor and address to align with fitness goals.
Strength Training with Free Weights
Free weights are weights not attached to any mechanism or machine. Barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, and medicine balls are examples of free weights. Free weights gained popularity during the pandemic and became a staple piece of equipment in fitness centers across the globe.
Alongside free weights, strength training also became more widely favored. Factors that may have increased the demand for these specific types of exercises include the desire for more “functional strength” following the COVID-19 lockdowns, increased interest in a more balanced exercise regimen, and the versatility of strength training that makes it accessible to both beginners and seasoned fitness buffs.
Calisthenics
Calisthenics, also known as bodyweight training, involves using your body’s weight to strengthen and condition your muscles. Much like strength training with free weights, this type of training also became popular during the pandemic and maintained its popularity as the world began opening up again.
The popularity of calisthenics stems from its convenience and accessibility, as it requires minimal to no equipment at all. This makes it an ideal option for people who are beginning their fitness journey and find gyms overwhelming, and aren’t keen on investing in expensive fitness equipment.
2024 Trends
In 2024 ACSM made changes to the annual survey by introducing the concept of “trend categories” that organized rising fitness trends and offered a more concise presentation. Additionally, the journal provided more comprehensive discussions to assist professionals in making business decisions.
Worksite Health Promotion
According to the International Social Security Association (ISSA), worksite health promotion refers to the combined efforts of employers, employees, and society to improve the health and well-being of people at work.
The workplace can be a great source of stress for many individuals. Studies such as this one from 2021 highlighted how toxic work environments impacted employee engagement and productivity. To combat this, many employers began promoting healthier work environments by providing ergonomic office furniture, regular health screenings, and encouraging physical activity just to name a few.
Fitness Programs for Older Adults
The World Health Organization (WHO) published a fact sheet in June 2024 that revealed approximately 31% of the global adult population were physically inactive, and that number concerningly decreases even further once individuals reach the age of sixty. Lack of physical activity, especially in older individuals, increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
These facts encouraged fitness centers and healthcare professionals alike to take action and motivate their older adult clients to participate in fitness activities that improve strength, balance, and endurance.
Exercises for Weight Loss
According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O.), 1 in 8 people globally were living with obesity in 2022. Possible causes for this concerning number include genetic factors, environmental influences, and psychosocial factors just to name a few.
In an effort to combat this, programs that promote weight loss are steadily increasing in popularity as people become more conscious about the relationship between fitness and overall health and wellness.
2025 Trends
In 2025, the health and fitness industry continued to grow despite the ambiguity of the “new normal” in the years following the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. People became more conscious of their health, and there was an increase in the number of gym/fitness center memberships and a more widespread interest in personal trainers and small group fitness/training classes. This year also saw an increase in demand for trained fitness professionals with credentials.
Mobile Exercise Apps
Alongside the rise in popularity of wearable technology, a new trend in the form of mobile exercise apps rose through the rankings and became the second most popular trend of last year. It should come as no surprise that fitness apps such as Strava, Future Pro, Fit on and the like have become so popular, as they provide seamless connection to users’ wearable tech. This provides an even more detailed look at user habits and health data, making it even easier to tailor a personalized fitness routine.
Traditional strength training
Not to be confused with “Strength Training with Free Weights”, traditional strength training involves isolation exercises that target specific muscle groups. Traditional strength training makes use of both free weights and machines to complete set training routines.
Unlike other types of strength training, traditional strength training does not focus on “functional strength” and instead aims to build muscle through heavy weight lifting.
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
While high-intensity interval training might sound intimidating, it’s actually a great workout for everyone; whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or a seasoned fitness enthusiast.
As the name suggests, high intensity interval training involves engaging in high intensity exercises immediately followed by low intensity exercises to act as a period of “rest”. These types of exercises are ideal for individuals who have a limited amount of time, those who are looking for “no equipment workouts”, and for those who just want to better their health and lifestyle.
Examples of HIIT workouts include running (either on a machine or outside), bodyweight exercises such as lunges and squats, and cycling.
Trends Shaping 2026
With knowledge of trends from previous years, we can see the possible direction this year will take. Advancements in technology, rising public interest in health and fitness, and influences via social media platforms are factors that can affect how individuals perceive their personal health and fitness.
Balance, Flow, and Core Strength Exercises
While previous years saw a rise in interest in programs that involved calisthenics and strength training, this year focuses more on exercises that target core strength, muscular endurance, mobility, flexibility, and coordination.
Exercises like yoga, Pilates, and barre that focus on the flow of movement, flexibility, and using one’s bodyweight provide not only physical exercise but also promote emotional well-being and mindfulness.
A Booming Market
The Pilates Journal, a global publication focused on the Pilates industry, published an article in 2025 that focused on the growth of the Pilates and yoga industry.
This article states that the global market for Pilates and yoga studios will grow exponentially over the next decade. Analysts calculate the market will reach $520.6 billion by 2035, after valuing it at an impressive $120.9 billion in 2024.
Exercises for Mental Health
A research article from 2023 aimed to find out the role of physical activity in mental health and well-being. In this article, the researchers look into the effects of physical activity on a myriad of mental disorders and conditions, including schizophrenia, alcohol dependence syndrome, depression, and anxiety.
Based on the article, physical activity proved to have beneficial effects on mental health. Regular physical activity, used alongside clinical therapies and professional interventions, improved patient symptoms.
Movements for Mental Health
The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) released an article in 2025 revealing that over one billion people globally are living with mental disorders. Unfortunately, resources that are meant to tackle these situations are still inadequate, with countries dedicating on average a mere 2% of their healthcare budget on mental health.
Using these statistics and the research available supporting the fact that physical activity can play a significant role in improving mental health, both fitness and health professionals are working together and taking steps in developing effective and accessible exercises and workouts to improve symptoms of mental health conditions.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with their mental health,it’s okay to ask for help. You can reach out to the following mental health resources: https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.
Adult Recreation and Sports Club
Like most businesses during the pandemic, sports clubs and recreation centers closed their doors, with many shutting down permanently. In the years that followed, the spike in interest in physical fitness and health, coupled with the desire for socialization, saw the resurgence of sports clubs among adults.
The Sports Facilities Companies, an organization involved in sports facility planning, development, and management, published an article on why more adults are joining sports teams.
In 2025, the number of adults who actively engaged in team sports and fitness activities in the United States grew to 19%. This is 8% higher than the previously recorded 11% in 2020.
Fitness Trends and the People
The fitness industry has been around for decades and has spanned countless generations, with each generation developing it further through research with the goal of improving fitness for the masses.
With that in mind, we have to ask how different generations navigate the current landscape of the fitness industry?
The Baby Boomers (Age 60+)
It may come as a surprise to everyone that the baby boomer generation is the most active generation in terms of participation in fitness based activities. According to ABC-Fitness in their insights on the fitness industry in the the fall of 2024, 80% of baby boomers regularly engage in low-impact exercises such as swimming, walking, or stationary cycling.
Despite baby boomers being the most physically active generation, they are also the population least likely to make use of fitness centers such as gyms and health clubs with only 42% of their population making use of said facilities. Many in this population instead opt to work out alone with the goal of staying active and maintaining mental and cognitive health.
Generation X (Mid-40s to Late 50s)
Generation X (or Gen X) lags behind baby boomers and Millennials with only 73% of its population actively engaging in physical activity. Gen X-ers were the earliest generation to adopt the concept of “work-life balance”, and structure their health and fitness routines on efficiency, functionality, and practicality. Individuals in this generation are less likely to follow fitness trends because of this in favor of wellness programs that have proven evidence-based benefits to health and longevity, with a focus on weight loss.
Related to that, Gen X has the highest population of wearable tech users at 58%. Adapting wearable tech allows real-time monitoring of their daily activities, aligning with their focus on efficiency. This also coincides with the fact that the Gen X population are more likely to remain loyal to their chosen fitness center, opting for long-term membership as compared to younger generations.
Millennials (Early 30s to Early 40s)
This generation closely follows baby boomers, with 76% of their population engaging in regular physical activity. This generation has the highest percentage of maintaining regular activity in order to achieve their fitness goals at 89%.
Millennials have a more holistic approach to fitness compared to other generations. Rather than just focusing on physical activity, millennials are also taking into consideration other aspects such as nutrition, functionality, and mental health when working on their fitness goals.
Generation Z (Mid Teens to Late 20s)
The youngest generation on this list with an active population of 66%, this generation are the most likely to participate in fitness trends and have the second highest population next to Gen X of wearable tech users.
Despite this generation’s affinity for the trendy, Gen Z closely follows Millennials in treating fitness with a more holistic approach rather than just physical exercise. This generation emphasizes mental health, mindfulness, and community. Treating fitness centers as social hubs, interacting with friends and building new connections with like-minded individuals.
The Takeaway
Fitness trends for 2026 are making a move towards accessible and effective fitness solutions. Key trends noted include the rise of wearable technology, which personalizes user fitness data, and free weight strength training, gaining popularity for its functional benefits. Another form of exercise gaining popularity is calisthenics, particularly for its convenience and accessibility.
Workplace health promotion initiatives and fitness programs for older adults are emerging to enhance overall well-being in professional settings. Additionally, mobile exercise apps surged in demand, complementing wearable devices and offering tailored fitness experiences.
Upcoming trends also emphasize core strength through activities like yoga and Pilates, reflecting a holistic approach to fitness that combines physical exercise with emotional well-being. Overall, the fitness industry is increasingly focused on inclusivity and responsiveness to user needs.
Disclaimer
GulfPhysio.com and all of its content are for informational purposes only. The authors believe all information is accurate at the time of posting and readers should NOT take it as professional medical advice. Please seek a medical professional in the event of pain or injury.
