Fitness Trends for 2025

Once again this year, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has published its list of fitness trends. This top 20 not only represents what is currently trending but also what we can expect in the future. These 2025 trends are based on more than 2,000 responses from training experts worldwide. I’m sharing here some of these trends that are among the top 10. Additionally, I’ll give you my take as a kinesiologist 😉!

Technology Takes the Lead!

In first place, we have wearable technology, closely followed by mobile apps. Then, in seventh place, we have data-driven training. With smartwatches and health apps, several data points are quickly accessible during and after a training session. The feedback is becoming more detailed, going beyond just the exercise itself. In addition to providing data such as calories burned and heart rate, these technologies allow users to assess the quality of their sleep, recovery, and more.

Don’t hesitate to share this valuable data with your trainer/kinesiologist. It could be very useful in helping you interpret the data. He could then adjust training methods, and guide you toward tailored strategies to ensure progress and reach your desired goals.

Third Place: Training Programs for Older Adults

Are you surprised by this third-place ranking? We now understand that, to maintain quality of life, training for people aged 60 and over is crucial. Sarcopenia can strike with age. It is the significant reduction of muscle mass and strength. And as a result, it reduces the ability to perform daily activities such as standing up from a chair, walking, and carrying bags. As a result, the risk of falls and injuries increases.

The good news is that it is possible to improve muscle mass at any age by incorporating specific exercises. Remaining in third place for two consecutive years, this trend underscores the importance of making it a priority. We must help aging individual integrate physical exercise for improving their quality of life.

Exercise as a Means to Lose Weight

In fourth place among fitness trends, exercise is used as a tool for weight loss. Obesity rates have skyrocked over the past 30 years, both in adults and children/adolescents. Integrating physical exercise must be part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce fat mass and improve body composition. Let’s not forget that the benefits of regular physical exercise are numerous in terms of health, and in the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases.

In addition to increasing opportunities to be active throughout the day, an overweight person should combine cardiovascular and strength exercises. Once again, health professionals play a key role in understanding their client’s past training experience. They can ensure the enjoyment and ease of execution to increase the chances of success. Also, factors such as medication use can influence the weight loss process and should be considered when creating the follow-up program. This highlights the complexity of weight loss tracking and the essential role of professional intervention.

Strength Training and High-Intensity Training still in the Top 10

In the category of training methods, strength training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) rank fifth and sixth, respectively.

Whether lifting weights, using body weight, or with the help of gym equipment, developing and maintaining muscle mass should be part of a training routine with at least two sessions per week. Trainer-kinesiologists can create muscle exercise programs tailored to the needs and fitness level of each individual.

On the other hand, one of the most popular methods to maximize training session efficiency is high-intensity interval training (HIIT). This type of training alternates between intense work periods and recovery periods. According to a study published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, HIIT sessions lasting just 10 to 15 minutes, performed 3 to 4 times a week, can significantly improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and even body composition, while improving aerobic capacity. Its time efficiency likely explains why this trend has remained in the top 10 for over 8 years.

Exercise for Mental Health

In the top 10, specifically in eighth place, exercise is no longer solely associated with strength and endurance but is closely linked to improving mental health, particularly in reducing anxiety, stress, and depression. It is recommended to engage in enjoyable physical activities tailored to one’s capabilities and preferences. Some people may prefer yoga, others may be motivated by group classes, while some may opt for high-intensity training. Trying different types of training helps in choosing what best suits one’s current state.

Health and Wellness Coaching

To conclude, in tenth place this year, health and wellness coaching refers to the ability of health professionals to build a trusting relationship with their clients. This helps guide them toward achieving a specific goal. Beyond prescribing a training program, the professional creates a climate of support to encourage behavior change and its maintenance.

For the full list of 20 trends, click here.

The Kinesiologist : A Key Change Agent at the Heart of These Trends!

Training trends confirm the evolution of exercise as an essential means of improving physical and mental health. Technology is increasingly supporting us in our training habits. And the qualified trainer-kinesiologist uses this technology to enhance the personalization of individual or group training. This professional’s interventions also contribute to the priorities mentioned above, such as weight loss, active aging, and mental health. Whatever the goal, the trainer-kinesiologist will support you in maintaining a regular exercise routine tailored to your situation, thus improving your current and future quality of life.

Reference:

A’Naja M. Newsome, ACSM, 2025 ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends: Future Directions of the Health and Fitness Industry, 11/12 2024.

Fitness Trends for 2025 is a post from Nautilus Plus. The Nautilus Plus blog aims to help people in their journey to fitness through articles on training, nutrition, motivation, exercise and healthy recipes.
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