7 Fitness Trends to Try Now

Now trending: Training practices at the intersection of holistic wellness and modern technology that level up your workouts by making exercise more fun, accessible, and impactful. 

If you're looking to elevate your routine, escape the mundane, and find an approach to active living that works for your body and your schedule, keep reading to discover seven results-focused fitness trends dominating professional trainers’ social feeds and workout plans now. 

Breathe new life into your training regimen with one (or all) of these buzz-worthy methods. 

Gamers, rejoice: from immersive virtual reality (VR) to interactive challenges, game-based fitness can help boost motivation and consistency by infusing your workouts with a little extra fun and competition. 

The Scoop: According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, “Gamification is the use of game design elements such as points, levels, and badges and is increasingly being used in mobile applications focused on helping individuals improve their health and fitness.” 1

Fitness-based video games, VR fitness environments, competitive social challenges, and fitness apps with gaming elements all offer users a game-driven workout experience that can make exercise more enjoyable. 

Why You’ll Love It: If you’ve had trouble sticking to a habit of workout out, gamification could be your answer. Research suggests that a game-based approach “helps turn physical exercise into a habit, one of the basic principles of individual health engagement and care.” Additionally, science points to meaningful benefits like improved well-being, mental health, commitment, and satisfaction for those who participate in game-based exercise. 2

Pro Tip: Try tracking your progress with fitness apps or wearables like a smartwatch, and be sure to celebrate your achievements along the way. Acknowledging our successes, even when small, can go a long way toward staying motivated and building positive habits. 3

Lately, every fitness influencer seems to be posting up a storm about Pilates: a century-old method of strength and stamina-building movement designed to deliver a sculpted physique through a series of concentrated movements.  

The Scoop: Developed nearly 100 years ago by physical trainer Joseph Pilates with the intention of creating a practice that would strengthen both mind and body, Pilates is a form of strength-training and body conditioning known to help improve strength, flexibility, muscle tone, mobility, and even support recovery from injuries. It can be practiced by people of varying skill and strength levels, on either a mat or specialized equipment like a reformer table, and is highly customizable.  4 

Why You’ll Love It: Low risk, high reward. Given the vast benefits of this fitness method, it’s no wonder trainers, physical therapists, and fitness enthusiasts alike are all fans of Pilates. These include pain relief, core strength building, improved posture and flexibility, better balance and coordination,  and reported improvements to body awareness, breath control, and mental well-being. 5 

Pro Tip: Some Pilates studios can be costly, and classes may not be accessible in every area. Try signing up for a class through your existing gym membership or local community recreation center, opt for a more budget-friendly fitness membership app like ClassPass, or simply select one of the millions of free classes on youtube to get started at home.  

In every fitness journey, rest and recovery are crucial to progress. With a growing body of research pointing to just how crucial, trainers and sports medicine practitioners alike are advocating for greater focus to be placed on how we use the time between strenuous workouts.  

“No one can function without getting adequate recovery,” says physical therapist Jessica Yeaton, via UCHealth SportsMed Clinic. “It can be almost as important as the actual training you’re putting in, because if you’re not recovering from training, you’re not getting a boost from it.” 6

The Scoop: “The overall goal of postexercise recovery is to restore homeostasis in many of the body’s physiological systems,” says Associate Professor of Anatomy and Physiology Jonathen Peake. After exercise, he goes on to say, it is vital to rehydrate and refuel our bodies and allow damaged tissue to repair. 7 

Recovery can be passive, including minimal-exertion activities such as:

• Resting

• Massage therapy

• Foam-rolling release muscles

• Static stretching

Or active, including low-impact movement like:

• Walking

• Yoga

• Light resistance training

• Swimming

Why You’ll Love It: Adequate recovery allows the body to adapt to the physical stress of exercise. Damaged muscles are repaired, energy is replenished, and risk of burnout and injury are decreased. 

Other benefits? Lower stress and better sleep. Taking a rest day can help to balance stress and sleep hormones, which can help the body better manage stress and promote deeper, more restful sleep.  8

Pro Tip: Proper nutrition is a vital part of recovery. Muscles need protein to build and repair, carbohydrates help to replenish energy sources, and supplements can be helpful for additional support. Try refueling with an amino acid rich-boost of collagen peptides, supporting energy levels and foundational nutrition with a quality multivitamin, and soothing sore muscles and joints with a cooling post-workout recovery gel. 

Many are taking a more sustainable stance on fitness by using an integrative, whole-health approach to wellness. Holistic practices address not only physical health, but all elements of a person’s well-being. 

The Scoop: All of our bodily systems are intricately connected, working in concert to support our physical and mental health. Through a holistic lens, spiritual and emotional wellness also play a part in achieving true balance, reminding us that fitness isn’t just about movement or muscle—it’s about nurturing the whole self, inside and out. 

In addition to regular physical movement, this can look like incorporating mindfulness and spiritual practices, whole nutrition, emotional wellness techniques (eg, stress management or journaling), and lifestyle improvements like good sleep hygiene and optimal hydration into your daily routine.  

Why You’ll Love It: In addition to benefiting mood and overall well-being, holistic fitness encourages caring for our natural world. Emphasis on eco-conscious materials, biodegradable gear, sustainable facilities, and engaging in outdoor workouts helps drive not only personal wellness, but the health of our planet. 9

Pro Tip: Approach fitness as an integrated self-care routine, say the pros at HealthFitness. “The definition of wellness is evolving to embrace a more holistic approach,” noting the importance of the connection between body and mind, and the benefits of caring for both mindset and the physical body simultaneously. 10   

Get in a workout anywhere, anytime. The convenience of hi-tech training, from live-streamed workout classes to personalized virtual coaching, makes a wide range of goals more attainable for those with varying lifestyles, schedules, and budgets.  

The Scoop: Research shows that virtual-based exercise programs are just as effective as traditional, in-person workouts. In one study, researchers compared on-site personal training with online Zoom training, and found that both options were equally successful. However, the flexibility of the online classes showed the potential for greater engagement. In other words: people may be more likely to stick with virtual fitness programs due to convenience.  

In addition to online classes, virtual fitness methods include on-demand workout programs on platforms like Peloton and Nike Training Club, free and subscription-based fitness apps, and one-on-one virtual coaching. Some fitness professionals are even leveraging artificial intelligence as part of a comprehensive virtual fitness toolkit.   

Why You’ll Love It: Virtual training can be cost-effective, offers a wide selection of programs, accommodates busy schedules, and the anytime-anywhere nature of this method allows you to work up a sweat in the comfort (and privacy) of your own home.  

Pro Tip: When choosing to work virtually with a personal trainer, be sure to select a professional certified by a recognized organization like NASM, ACE, NCSF, or ISSA.  

How does your fitness regimen support your real-world activities? Functional fitness has gained momentum for its targeted, practical movements intended to prevent injury and improve everyday life.  

The Scoop: “Functional fitness exercises,” says the Mayo Clinic, “train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements you might do at home, at work, or in sports.” These exercises, which are commonly “multijoint and multimuscle”, can help improve individuals’ quality of life by making everyday tasks easier and reducing the risk of injuries.  11 

Why You’ll Love It: Research shows that practicing functional fitness can help to support healthy aging and contribute to lower risks of chronic diseases, making it a critical part of an effective long-term fitness strategy. 12 

Pro Tip: Compound exercises like training circuits involving multiple muscle groups, say pros at the National Academy of Sports Medicine, can help to make everyday tasks easier. 13 

Group classes, facilities, and training plans that accommodate all people, regardless of ability, background, or body type are on the rise.   

The Scoop: Like many industries, a shift toward greater representation and in the physical fitness world is ushering in a greater emphasis on community and sounding the message that fitness is for everyone, not just those who fit mainstream body ideals. 

Why You’ll Love It: Inclusive fitness environments can foster strong social connections and a deep sense of community, which research links to not only expanded networks, but improved mental health, physical well-being, greater success in building healthy habits, and better health outcomes overall. Plus, inclusion in fitness can contribute to feelings of empowerment along your journey. 14

Pro Tip: “Movement is for every body,” says Carrie Dennet, RDN. She encourages those seeking a more inclusive approach to fitness to explore available resources like streaming workouts, books on inclusive exercise programs, and social media accounts dedicated to inclusive movement. 15

Which of our fitness trends to try now makes the top of your list? 

However you choose to elevate your workout game, remember: like all wellness practices, it's important to consider your unique physical health needs and goals, while focusing on building habits that can be consistently incorporated into your everyday routine.

Here’s to embracing what works best for you, both in and out of the gym.