Jan 04, 2026
3 min read
We look at 10 trends that will shape how we train through 2026
Sports community, technology services and focus on health. Exercise that will mark the year 2026
We look back at 10 trends that will determine how we train through 2026
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Fashion trends and hairstyles can also affect the way you exercise, as well as the choice of holiday destination. Fitness is not exempt from "fads". New areas are gaining momentum, the evolution of the gym into a more specialized space, the introduction of artificial intelligence and connectivity in training... There are many trends that will start in the world of fitness throughout 2025 and will continue in 2026, having an impact that determines how everyone who has a little time for himself stays and stays in shape. For physical training.
To find out what issues will develop in fitness in the next year, the best source available is the Worldwide Fitness Trends report, a document published annually by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) for two decades.It is based on an extensive survey of 2,000 exercise scientists, doctors and scientists worldwide, so beyond the fact that there are micro-trends in each region, it is a reliable source of the context of Spain.
Written by the aforementioned American College of Sports Medicine and published in the November/December edition of its magazine, the Health and Fitness Journal, the 2026 edition details the practical application of each new trend and notes on issues from expert voices involved in its development.Because that's what the ACSM does, the definition of a fitness trend means "a widely adopted or consistent pattern of participation in health and fitness activities, professional practice, or provision of the field."It is important to clarify that this is a concept that will affect the market in the medium term.
That said, after studying the ten main fitness trends shown in the report for the next year, they can be summarized into three large groups: the impact of technology on exercise, the growth of sports clubs or communities and exercise linked to health: taking care of mental health, controlling weight or promoting active aging, etc.We analyze them in depth below.
New technologies in fitness
As we said at the beginning of this text, the development of fitness is also marked by trends.Cayla R. McAvoy, Ph.D., ACSM-certified exercise physiologist and lead author of the Global Fitness Trends 2026 study explains, "Over the years, we have seen fitness trends related to childhood obesity, online training during the COVID-19 pandemic, attention to mental health, the growth of fitness programs, active and medical aging."
All the trends that experts say continue to influence the way we train today, but are overshadowed by the big trend of today: the application of technology to physical preparation.Specifically, the report identified wearable technology as the No. 1 fitness trend for 2026, and mobile training apps and data-driven technology applied to fitness also appeared in the top ten trends.
The report says wearable technology is “evolving with advanced biosensors that can now detect metrics such as fall or accident detection, heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and skin temperature.”Report.
About the end of the technology can be held in the physical effort, Cayla mcavoy "is closer to a half of the people who have not been used.In Spanish, no one is different with things that are doing in the US.
Mobile exercise apps will remain a major fitness trend in 2026. These digital tools offer on-demand, programmed, written or video workouts.Their great added value is the flexibility and convenience they offer to the customer, who can exercise following their instructions 365 days a year wherever they are physically present.
"Mobile apps support exercise by offering convenience, structure, and tools for self-tracking. Research shows that users value features that make it easy to set goals and track progress, which encourages sustained participation. "Apps with habit-encouraging features, such as reminders, rewards, or social features, can improve long-term use," according to a report on the widespread use of smartphone wearables.
Therefore, in 2024, as ACSM research shows, more than 345 million people will use fitness apps, generating more than 850 million downloads.Due to their characteristics, the report says, the majority of users of these applications "tend to be young people, women, with university studies and urban residents, with low adoption among the elderly and people with little digital knowledge."Jennifer Turpin Stanfield, another co-author of the study, warned that "the full effectiveness of these applications depends on the participation of the user and the quality of the program."
Finally, a technology-related fitness trend that has not yet impacted the general public, the average gym user, but is having an impact on high-level training, is data-driven technology applied to fitness.The report states that “more than 70% of wearable device users report applying data from their products to inform exercise or recovery strategies, and exercise professionals can use biofeedback to adapt exercise intensity, assess readiness, and reduce the risk of overtraining.”to do."
In terms of practical application, ACSM points out that this trend applies to everyone, regardless of the level of health because it can be adjusted.«Biofeedback has become a powerful tool, allowing consumers and sports professionals to perform specific exercises and collect real-time information about the physiological response of the body."Working with design technology," said Jessica Sansone, co-author of the study, Wearables, data-driven technology can help turn health into a personalized and tailored experience.
The rise of sports clubs
Not surprisingly, reports covering fitness trends for 2026 highlight the rise of sports clubs as one of the most important trends.It’s not that a few weeks ago we put you on the path to the idea of training fads, the sum total of exponential growth in the sports community.
CrossFit is a sports discipline that has made the type of community grow, but also running, paddle tennis or even the emergence of sports such as pick up states in the United States in the United States, a foothold in Spain.
Regarding this trend, the ACSM report highlights “the growing interest in activities that combine fitness with fun, flexibility and social connection outside of the traditional gym.
The report highlights the benefits of getting fit by joining such a community or sports club: "By emphasizing fun, camaraderie, and ongoing participation, senior sports and recreation clubs can help reduce barriers to exercise and improve long-term adherence. Group formats can be particularly effective for inactive adults. Their offerings include incorporating recreational programs, leading community groups, or collaborating with local leagues to reach adults who may not attend."traditional gyms."to do
Basic, functional and active aging
The third major block of exercise trends for 2026 highlighted in the ACSM report is health-oriented exercise.In fact, this trend literally reflects the term "balance, fluidity, and core strength," indicating a growing interest in holistic health and body-mind integration.
The rise of trends like core training, balance and flow makes sense given the popularity of Pilates and barre, said study co-author Rachel Reed."Exercise participation is important for overall quality of movement, injury prevention and long-term health."
At least five others in the ACSM report's top 10 fitness trends for 2026 are related to this trend: exercise for weight management, exercise for mental health, strength training, functional training, and exercise to support active aging.
Regarding exercise as a weight management tool, Sarah M. Camhi, co-author of another study, emphasizes that "physical activity should be part of any weight management program due to its positive effects on physical and mental health."Exercise, he added, "can preserve muscle mass, increase strength and improve physical function, but research is still ongoing."
Regarding exercise for mental health, Cayla R. McAvoy explains that "exercise is a hug for the mind and body and is an important strategy for reducing stress, improving mood and endurance."And colleague A'Naja M. Newsome adds that "regular exercise is one of the best strategies for improving mental health, improving mood, and improving overall health."
Regarding the established trends in physical exercise, which include functional training, strength, power, mobility and endurance training, the report notes that "its versatility makes it suitable for youth, adults, seniors and athletes alike" and recommends that fitness professionals use this approach to improve joint stability, mobility and athletic performance.Functional training has become a compelling solution for improving musculoskeletal health and achieving fitness goals while providing fun and motor control for people of all ages and abilities," said ACSM study co-author Alexios Batrakulis.
Functional training is also an ideal vehicle for promoting another major fitness trend that will continue to grow in 2026, according to ACSM: physical conditioning programs for seniors.That is, promoting an active aging strategy.
"Exercise is especially important for adults, as evidence consistently links regular exercise to the prevention and management of age-related symptoms. Active programs must be safe, enjoyable, and designed to improve performance in activities of daily living," warns Jennifer Turpin, one of the researchers who took part in the study that describes how exercise methods will mark 2026.
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