2026 fitness trends to watch
Experts predict 2026 trends will include hybrid conditioning (strength + cardio + flexibility), a Pilates resurgence, more infrared workouts and growing AI personalization in training plans (themanual.com). The forecast specifically calls out tech and AI as key drivers for tailoring workouts and boosting adherence next year (themanual.com).
ACSM’s 2026 trends report — based on a survey of about 2,000 clinicians, researchers and exercise professionals — lists wearable technology as the No. 1 trend and notes “nearly half” of U.S. adults now own a fitness tracker or smartwatch. The American Council on Exercise told members AI is shifting from “trend” to infrastructure, predicting AI will underpin programming, member communication, scheduling and personalization in 2026. Market data puts the digital side behind those shifts: the global fitness apps market was estimated at roughly $12.12 billion in 2025 and is projected to expand substantially through the decade. Venture activity is following the tech: Q1 2026 venture data show record-level investment into AI companies after a multi‑billion dollar surge in 2024–25, signaling more capital available for AI-driven fitness startups. Infrared-based offerings are scaling fast in the studio market — HOTWORX announced it has surpassed 800 studio locations worldwide — while industry reports value the global infrared sauna market in the billions and project double‑digit growth rates into the 2030s. Pilates and boutique mind‑body studios delivered strong revenue in the U.S. — IBISWorld reports industry revenue for Pilates & yoga studios reached about $19.2 billion in 2025 — and The Pilates Journal is staging expos in Huntington Beach (Jan 10–11, 2026) and Sydney (Feb 21–22, 2026) as the sector expands programming and training pipelines. Competitive hybrid formats are driving programming and participation: HYROX expanded its calendar to more than 100 events for the 2025–26 season and Bloomberg reports the fitness‑racing circuit’s participant numbers climbing from hundreds of thousands to a multi‑million projection for 2026. Large group-fitness brands that fuse strength and conditioning underscore the commercial side of hybrid programming — F45 lists roughly 2,000 gyms and reports hundreds of thousands of members in its global network.
