While many New Year’s resolutions have been abandoned by the end of February, Marblehead gyms and fitness centers are bustling with people committed to working out. The American College of Sports Medicine released its top trends for 2025 and local fitness leaders tell the Current, they’re seeing them here in town.

The ACSM list includes the following:

• Wearable technology
• Mobile fitness apps 
• Exercise programs for older adults 
• Exercise for mental health 

Wearable technology

“Wearable technology is a game-changer, allowing members to track their progress more accurately and personalize their workouts,” said Laurie-Sue Rodrigues, fitness director at the Lynch/van Otterlook YMCA. “We see a lot of members coming in with smart watches, fitness trackers and heart rate monitors.”

The Y’s Matrix cardio equipment integrates easily with several types of wearable tech, Rodrigues added.

At Form Fitness, owner Kelly Lorenz said, “We are seeing a lot of our members use wearables, but we talk to the women and discuss the fact that the majority of algorithms are primarily built using data from men… We also know that female hormones can affect our heart rate and respiratory variability, so the wearable might say you haven’t fully recovered when in fact you have.” 

Lorenz continued, “We encourage wearables as a tool to keep track of recovery metrics like heart rate variability and sleep quality over time.”

Mobile fitness apps

At the Y, Rodrigues regularly sees members using mobile fitness apps to try new fitness routines. 

“The Y’s own mobile fitness platform, YMCA 360, has expanded in response to this demand by including more online classes in almost every modality — from meditation to HIIT (high intensity interval training) and nutrition, mental wellness and even programming for kids,” she said. “That flexibility allows members to stay active, no matter their circumstances.”

Lorenz said Form’s members don’t use as many fitness apps because they prefer the accountability of a small group or PT (private training) session.

“Knowing you’re expected to show up and work hard is a big motivation,” she said.

Exercise programs for older adults

Senior fitness is a big draw at the JCC, according to Health & Wellness Director Mary Pat Hawkins. The J offers 13 senior-focused classes.

“They’re very popular, particularly Aqua Splash and Fit Forever Strength,” Hawkins said

Kim Crowley owns Lighthouse Fitness on Front Street and also teaches at the Council on Aging. 

The COA has “a great range of options so people can ease into an exercise routine with seated options, gentle movement and more advanced classes,” Crowley told the Current.

“Classes like Balance & Mobility, Osteo Prevention, Chair Yoga and Parkinson’s Fitness cater to specific balance and age-related challenges,” Crowley said. “Step It Up, Senior Muscle, Zumba Gold, line dancing and yoga offer some more challenging but also modifiable group exercises. Then there’s also vibrant groups that play chair volleyball, curling and bocce.”

Science shows exercise has many benefits as people age.

“We can reduce our risk and manage chronic diseases,” Crowley said. “Regular aerobic activity may reduce cognitive impairment and risk of dementia.”

Shelley Sackett is in her 70s and works out with Crowley.

“My relationship with exercise has shifted over the last decade,” Sackett said. “My new mantra is: Adapt, moderate, modify. I’ve always felt a spiritual mind-body connection from exercise. That hasn’t changed. What has been added, along with the usual ailments that accompanied my Medicare card, is the sense of community I get from group classes and the physical therapy-like benefits from certain activities — water aerobics for osteoarthritis, for example.”

Betsy Goldberg, 73, also trains with Crowley

“Exercise extends my longevity,” Goldberg said. “My bone density has remained excellent for my age, too. I exercise every day with my trainer Kim or on my own on my stationary bike or jumping around my house. I feel invigorated by exercise. It revives me!”

Exercise for mental health

All the fitness experts we spoke with agreed that exercise can be the best medicine to improve one’s mental health.

The Y offers a list of classes that “blend physical fitness with mental health benefits,” according to Rodrigues. “Many of them focus on mindfulness, stress relief and emotional well-being along the physical workout.” 

One example? “Our Aqua Fitness classes are great for mental wellness, as the calming nature of being in water combined with exercise can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and improve overall mood.”

Hot & Bothered

Lorenz pointed out two new focuses at Forme: women going through perimenopause and menopause and recovery services.

First, Form launched a 12-week class for women called Hot & Bothered that “addresses challenges facing women and their bodies” during perimenopause and menopause. 

“We know that during this time, women need to start lifting heavy weights to build lean muscle mass and strengthen their bones,” she said. “Excessive cardio no longer works in our favor, and eating less is a thing of the past.”

Form has also hired a certified kinesiologist and recovery expert focused on helping members recover properly.

“He has a background in assisted stretching, functional movement training and body recovery. Sessions are tailored to the needs of the client,” Lorenz said.

Inclusion

Rodrigues says the Y is committed to making fitness and wellness available to all and now offers more family-oriented fitness programs, including Toddler & Me Yoga and Toddler Fitness.

“We will also be starting a new session of LiveStrong at the end of the month for those who are living with, through or beyond cancer,” she added.

Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.