Multiple experts we spoke to, as well as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)’s worldwide fitness trend survey, predict strength training to be a front runner this year. Strength training, also called weight or resistance training, “incorporates equipment such as barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells focusing on proper movement and lifting technique to improve or maintain muscular fitness,” the ACSM said.

Alex Germano, P.T., D.P.T., G.C.S., CF-L2, a physical therapist, fitness coach, and clinician with FOX Rehabilitation said she sees the niche appealing to women more than ever before “with an emphasis on power and speed.” “Women are becoming more educated about the importance of strength training for optimizing bone health and longevity, and post-menopausal women are finally hearing the messaging about how important strength training is,” she adds. “I think this will drive more women to seek resistance training exercise programs with less involvement in classes that prioritize moderate intensity interval-based training.”

Jojo Kelly, C.P.T., P.P.S.C. and Tone House head coach agrees. “The health benefits of strength training are getting increasingly recognized,” she says. “I am hoping to see strength training exercises that specifically target ‘fast twitch’ muscle fibers [which produce short bursts of powerful energy]—think box jumps, kettlebell swings, and explosive movements.”

At this point, if you don’t wear a watch that monitors your heart rate, a ring that tracks your sleep patterns, or carry a phone that counts your daily steps, you’re in the minority. Wearable fitness tracking technology is the ACSM’s number one projected trend for 2025, with mobile fitness apps trailing directly behind it. The idea is that the information collected by this technology helps you better understand your body and achieve your goals whether or not you have a local gym or trainer at your disposal.

“Advancements in technology make personalized and engaging fitness more accessible no matter where in the world you may be,” says Christina Jensen, C.P.T., a personal trainer and AARMY coach. “We need sustainable and accessible approaches to being healthy and happy. As we evolve culturally and societally, our fitness does too.”

Research consistently tells us that exercise is “a critical strategy for maintaining overall health, preventing chronic diseases, improving quality of life, and the promotion of independent living,” the ACSM said. Their survey found that fitness programs for older adults specifically will be on the rise this year. And those programs are likely to include lots of functional fitness, or moves that make up daily life, to keep up on mobility, agility, and strength. In that way, the strength training trend will spill over as the aforementioned fast twitch muscles are “the first muscle fiber type that atrophies in older populations,” Kelly explains.

Functional fitness isn’t just for older adults, though. It’s for everyone. “The goal of this trend is to get your body ready for daily tasks without straining it, such as playing with your children or carrying groceries,” says Jerome Draculan, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the operations manager of StrengthshopUSA.com. But everyone practicing it will likely have the same goal in mind: to live better and longer.

“Long-term health is becoming more important to people than appearance. Being a cool grandma who can still perform a push-up is something that everyone aspires to,” Draculan adds. “It’s about having strength that you can utilize in life, not only in the gym.”

Both Germano and Kelly can see fitness competitions like Hyrox and obstacle course racing growing in 2025. They’ve become widely popular “because they appeal to competitive athletes as well as individuals who are just getting into fitness,” explains Kelly. “There’s a need for community and connection post-pandemic and competitions invite people to meet new people, train together, and work towards a common goal.”

Germano agrees that Hyrox, a group race that combines running and functional fitness, has a big draw, adding that the brand currently has a 260% yearly growth rate. Hyrox “appeals to a broad population due to the fact that it does not contain gymnastics or high-skill weight-lifting movements,” Germano explains, “which makes competition feel more accessible and more achievable for newer athletes.”

All of our experts foresee going to the gym being only one part of the fitness-loving puzzle. The active world will continue to be redefined as one that equally prioritizes mental health and rest. “I predict fitness will evolve into a more inclusive and diverse holistic practice,” Jensen says. “Exercise is just one of the many components that make up our overall health and well-being.”

As for the mental health portion of it all, practices like mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork may make their way outside the yoga studios, Kelly says says. “These are stressful times for a lot of people and specific breathwork practices have been proven to decrease the stress hormone cortisol in the body,” she adds. It’s all about fostering a more intimate mind-body connection, Draculan adds, which is “a fantastic way to feel focused and at ease.”

Recovery will grow on the priority list, too. “Foam rolling, infrared saunas, and massagers will become everyone’s new best friends,” Draculan says. “High-intensity exercise is good, but you won’t be getting better if you don’t recuperate. Recovery feels like self-care, and we all need more.”

In conjunction with the growth of wearable tech is the growth of AI-generated workouts. You can ask any large language model (ChatGPT, for example) to create your daily workout catered to your needs, whether you simply like to switch it up or are looking to target specific muscle groups. “Forget generic fitness plans—AI is taking over with personalized workouts that adjust for your sleep, stress, and even how many slices of pizza you inhaled last night,” Draculan says. Such customized plans can also help our increasingly busy society fit movement into tight schedules, Jensen adds.

“People want convenience and results without the guesswork. AI gives you a tailored plan,” Draculan concludes. “In my experience as a coach, people adore data-driven outcomes. By eliminating uncertainty from training, AI makes it simpler for everyone to achieve their objectives.”