The top 20 fitness trends for 2024 #64
Fitness Trends 2024 - Welcome to our latest blog post! Today we take an exciting look into the future of the health and fitness industry, based on the latest findings from the "2024 ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends" report.
This article not only provides valuable insight into upcoming trends in the US and around the world, but is also an invaluable tool for anyone working in the fitness industry.
We will explore the top 20 fitness trends for 2024, identified through extensive data and surveys, and look at how the industry has evolved since the COVID-19 pandemic. Interesting developments such as the rise of boutique gyms and subscription-based memberships will be in focus.
We also look at how strength training and functional fitness training have increased in popularity. Get ready to discover the latest trends that will shape the health and fitness industry in the coming years!
The survey
This year, the survey honours its long history while improving its reliability and validity. With input from industry experts and a careful analysis of 2023 trends, potential new trends were identified through an extensive literature review and a pilot study involving 16 professionals from various sectors. The online survey, conducted through QualtricsXM, presented 45 potential trends across eight categories and attracted a wide range of fitness professionals, including many who work as personal trainers.
Interestingly, the respondents were mainly middle-aged men, indicating a changing demographic in the industry. Incentives for participation included fitness books and materials and a Mastercard® gift card. The insights gained from this survey are not only valuable for fitness professionals, but also offer fascinating insights for anyone interested in the latest trends and developments in the world of fitness.
1. wearable devices.
Wearable technology has consistently been at the forefront of fitness trends since 2016. These devices, which are worn or attached to the body and are often connected to smartphones, provide users with real-time data such as heart rate, step count, active minutes and sleep duration. They enable fitness professionals to tailor their clients' daily physical activity by tracking behavioural patterns and progress over time.
2. workplace health promotion.
Workplace health promotion is a new trend in second place. This reflects a growing interest in health and quality of life, which impacts many areas, including labour productivity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average American spends one-third of their life at work, based on a 40-hour work week. Employers can therefore promote healthy behaviours such as physical activity and preventative screenings, which often reduces insurance costs, increases work productivity and improves mental health.
3. programmes for senior fitness.
Third place goes to the growing options for fitness programmes for older adults. According to the 2021 Profile of Older Americans report, the number of 65+ year olds in America has increased by 38% since 2010, with approximately 27% of this group living independently. This population group is expected to continue to grow through 2040. Older people are at increased risk for chronic disease, cognitive impairment and falls. Regular aerobic exercise and strength training are crucial to minimise the effects of disease, maintain independence and improve quality of life in old age.
4. training for weight control.
In 4th place (8th place in 2023) is training for weight control. Regular exercise is recognised as an important factor in improving metabolic function and reducing body fat. An effective exercise programme should include aerobic exercise, strength training and dietary adjustments to achieve a calorie deficit. Such exercise programmes help to maintain lean body mass during weight loss and help people to control their weight in the long term.
5. remuneration for qualified training specialists.
In fifth place is the trend of remuneration for qualified training professionals, a development of earlier trends that favoured licensing these professionals. Licensing never made it into the top 10 and faces political hurdles worldwide. However, compensation for the services these professionals provide encourages their recognition as part of the healthcare delivery system. An ACSM working group was launched in 2021 to support policy changes that enable billing for patient services provided by qualified exercise professionals to improve physical activity outcomes and quality of life.
6. use of qualified fitness experts.
The use of qualified professionals, which ranks sixth on the 2024 trend list, remains a consistent trend in the top 10. Fitness and health companies place great importance on hiring trained experts to manage their fitness programmes. An official certification signals to clients that the professional has in-depth knowledge to help them achieve their fitness goals. Professionals with certification ensure safe training within the scope of their expertise. Maintaining accredited certifications that require ongoing education minimises the risk of injury for clients and reduces liability risk for employers.
7. mobile fitness apps.
Mobile fitness apps made it to seventh place in the top trends in 2024 and are one of the digital technology trends. This trend first appeared on the top 20 list in 2016 as "smartphone workout apps", ranking 17th at the time. The use of mobile fitness apps offers flexibility in programme design and has revolutionised the market with a variety of unique ways to effectively increase the physical activity of its users. Users can utilise these apps to track their workouts and receive performance feedback. Some apps offer social support and behavioural training, both important aspects in the theory of behaviour change in healthcare.
8. training for mental health.
Training to promote mental health ranks eighth, as more and more people are recognising the importance of exercise for cognitive performance and emotional well-being. Mental health includes emotional, psychological and social aspects. Around one in eight people worldwide are affected to varying degrees by mental illness (WHO), and regular physical activity can act as a preventative factor. Physical activity boosts mood and promotes mental health.
9. development in youth sport.
The ninth trend focuses on the development of motor skills, strength and coordination in youth training. Programmes and facilities such as KidStrong®, which aim to boost self-confidence, social skills and athletic performance, are on the rise. Children and young people learn basic movement patterns and are prepared to acquire further skills. Training and fitness professionals should consider specialised training or education when working with this target group.
10. individual training.
Personal training, ranked 10th in the trends for 2024, has been a constant part of the top fitness trends since its introduction in 2007. It includes individual training with fitness tests, goal setting and the implementation of training programmes. Clients benefit from this offering as they learn effective exercise forms, safety techniques and recovery methods. Certification awarded by recognised institutions such as ACSM prepares fitness professionals to work with a wide variety of clients.
11 Lifestyle health medicine.
Given the growing interest in longevity and a high quality of life, lifestyle health medicine has risen five positions to 11th place this year. Since its first appearance in 2020 in 16th place (and later in 18th place in 2021, 19th in 2022 and 16th in 2023), this trend has become well established. Lifestyle health medicine emphasises the importance of healthy lifestyles as a foundation for health promotion, disease prevention and as part of medical treatment.
General recommendations include increasing physical activity and reducing inactivity to improve the health of people with chronic diseases. Specific behavioural recommendations for patients are based on the American Heart Association's "Life's Essential 8" and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine sets additional priorities such as improved nutrition, stress reduction and social well-being.
12.outdoor fitness.
In 12th place for 2024 are outdoor fitness activities. This trend, which started at 25th place in 2010, has risen in the rankings in recent years (4th place in 2021, 3rd place in 2022 and 6th place in 2023) due to COVID-19 restrictions. Despite the establishment of a 'new normal', participation in outdoor fitness activities remains important for many brands and fitness professionals. These activities take place in public parks, squares or trails and are led by professionals. They include one-day or multi-day events such as running, cycling or recreational sports and promote a sense of community and social well-being.
13. health and wellness coaching.
After not being in the top 20 since 2010, this trend appears as trend number 13 in 2024. Health and wellness coaches use behavioural science principles and theories to bridge the gap between clinic and community and complement health promotion and lifestyle medicine programmes. In the coaching process, the client is seen as the decision maker of their behaviour change, while the coach provides support and feedback using science-based techniques. Sessions can take place individually or in small groups.
14. functional fitness training.
Functional fitness training, which was still in fifth place in 2023, moved up to 14th place in 2024. This form of training focuses on improving balance, coordination, functional strength and endurance in order to make everyday activities easier. Such programmes are geared towards customers' daily movements in order to maintain or improve their physical functioning and independence.
Particularly for older adults and clinical groups, the development of muscle strength and power, balance and proprioception is important. Due to the average low activity levels of older adults, fitness professionals and industry organisations should continue to prioritise functional training that reduces the risk of cardiometabolic disease, improves physical function and prolongs independent living.
15. yoga.
Yoga ranks 15th on the trend list in 2024. The mindfulness practice of yoga is an effective method for reducing stress, improving mental health and boosting self-confidence. Yoga as a form of exercise is adaptable for different fitness levels and is also safe for specific groups.
Usually taught in group classes with a live instructor, yoga includes traditional styles such as Hatha, Vinyasa and Bikram. Power yoga combines traditional sequences with an added emphasis on strength, while restorative yoga forms such as hatha are slower and more relaxing. Yoga is now offered in a variety of settings such as boutique gyms and community leisure centres, but can also be practised individually via on-demand platforms.
16. exercise as a therapeutic tool® (EIM).
This global health initiative, considered the 16th most important trend in 2024, motivates healthcare providers to integrate the assessment and treatment of physical activity as an integral part of patient care. EIM emphasises the importance of certified fitness professionals in the healthcare sector. The initiative works on several levels to raise awareness of physical activity and establish it as a key health indicator. EIM programmes provide physicians with a structure to refer patients to sound fitness programmes and qualified trainers.
17. classic strength training.
Although this trend, a key component of the ACSM training guidelines, has declined in popularity since 2020, ranking only 17th in 2024 (4th in 2022 and 2nd in 2023), it remains relevant. Traditional strength training, which includes the use of barbells, dumbbells and kettlebells, aims to improve or maintain muscle fitness by adjusting repetitions, sets, speed, weight and exercise selection. Despite the decline in the trend, boutique studios and large gyms continued to emphasise strength training in their group classes, with MindBody Online ranking it as a top industry-wide trend.
18 Technology-based training.
As a new potential trend for 2024, which appears in 18th place, this trend emphasises the role of digital technologies in the fitness industry. By using real-time data such as heart rate and speed, customers can control their training sessions individually. This enables personalised coaching, even in group settings with different fitness levels. In addition, real-time feedback during training provides insights into the link between training design and physiological performance and helps customers to monitor their own effort. Fitness professionals should stay up to date in the field of digital fitness in order to expand their offerings with technology-based training.
19. online training.
After falling out of the top 20 in 2023, online training returns to 19th place in 2024. This approach uses digital technologies to deliver individual and group training programmes online, including live interactive sessions or pre-recorded training programmes. It offers trainers an efficient way to reach more clients and improves the accessibility of services for those who struggle to fulfil physical activity guidelines due to factors such as lack of time or access to facilities.
20. high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
HIIT slips to 20th place in 2024 (#7 for 2023). It involves short, intense periods of exercise followed by longer recovery periods. HIIT is known for its health benefits, such as improved aerobic capacity, heart health and insulin sensitivity. HIIT programmes, which are based on heart rate and adaptable for all fitness levels, can be performed with equipment such as treadmills, rowing machines or bicycles. This form of exercise is time efficient and has been shown to be particularly beneficial for specific populations with chronic conditions such as diabetes or certain cancers.
Number 1 trend in europe continues
personal training
Personal training remains the undisputed leader of European fitness trends. In a world that is constantly changing and bringing new challenges, more and more people are looking for customised solutions to achieve their health and fitness goals. Personal training offers just that - an individualised approach tailored to the specific needs and goals of each individual.
In Europe, where there is a high appreciation for personal attention and expertise, this trend has proved particularly popular. Personal trainers not only offer tailored training programmes, but also the motivation and support that many need to stay consistent and make progress. At a time when personal wellbeing is becoming increasingly prioritised, it's no wonder that personal training continues to top the list of fitness trends in Europe.
Ultimate Conclusion
The fitness industry is an ever-changing field and surveys on a global scale are of great importance to exercise professionals and industry leaders. Trends for 2024 suggest that the fitness industry could have an increasing impact on various aspects of health, including mental health. The potential for increased collaboration through the establishment of multidisciplinary medical teams, including qualified fitness professionals, is evident. Trends such as personal training and functional fitness training maintain their global importance in the fitness world.
The increase in international participation in identifying global trends is helping to provide a comprehensive comparison of developments as the world adjusts to a new normal after the pandemic. For the first time, there is a link between the ACSM's Global Fitness Trends Survey and the Global Fitness Trends articles that have provided invaluable information for many years. The integration of these studies allows readers to take a comprehensive look at fitness trends. In addition, the newly introduced ACSM survey trend categories provide a comprehensive look at the areas of the fitness industry that will potentially impact the market in 2024, which is critical for business development, resource allocation and professional development planning.
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