New Year, New You: A Look At The Biggest Fitness Trends Of 2026

From forest bathing to Japanese walking, the year 2025 witnessed fitness trends which were more about sustainable practices, and not just quick fixes. Now, as we move towards the year 2026, people are hoping for newer, better and bigger health goals. Are you wondering which fitness trends will take the lead in 2026? The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently published its global fitness trends report. One aspect is crystal clear from their findings – and that is, in the new year, the focus will be towards quality, long-term wellbeing and personalisation. Let us give you a glimpse into some of the fitness and wellness trends, as per the report, which is ready to make it big in 2026.

To get an expert view on what was and what will be in the wellness and fitness world, we reached out to Ms Sonia Mehta, Clinical Nutritionist and Founder, EverBloom. Keep reading.

1. Wearable Technology

This has been consistently a top trend in the last several years. Wearable technology is predicted to evolve with advanced biosensors. This will capture indicators such as fall or crash detection, heart rhythm, blood pressure, blood glucose and skin temperature. These are crucial for a wide demographic – ranging from patients in rehabilitation, fitness beginners, athletes and ageing adults. This trend thus emerges as one of the top fitness trends of 2026. These tools have the ability to support self-monitoring, accountability and sustained engagement. When used with intention, wearables can enhance individualised coaching and help reinforce healthy habits with time.

2. Fitness Programs for Older Adults (active ageing)

As per recent industry data, there will be a growing engagement and opportunity of fitness programs within this population. Particularly useful approaches for the older adults consist of resistance training to preserve strength, balance and mobility exercises to reduce fall risk, and low-impact cardiovascular activity to support heart health.

3. Exercise for Weight Management

Exercise remains crucial for long-term weight management as it supports lean mass, physical function, and metabolic health. Research depicts that individuals who continue to exercise during pharmacologic treatment experience greater fat loss. They also preserve lean mass after stopping medication, than those who use medication alone.

Also Read: 5 Times You Should Rather Miss Your Gym For Better Well-being, Expert Shares

4. Mobile Exercise Apps

Mobile Exercise Apps have gained popularity since quite some time. They deliver on-demand, scheduled, live-streamed, or recorded workouts. These apps offer users convenience and flexibility to exercise anytime and anywhere. In 2024, as per data, more than 345 million people used fitness apps, generating more than 850 million downloads. The reports also mentioned that app users tend to be younger, female, college-educated, and living in urban areas.

5. Balance, Flow, and Core Strength

This trend has been reframed as a crucial component of a balanced fitness regimen – bridging movement quality with mental well-being. Professionals can integrate these formats to assist clients in improving their posture, mobility and core control. These support safer movement during strength and cardio training. As per research, the importance of such formats lies in improving movement control and injury prevention, especially in the ageing population.

6. Exercise for Mental Health

One national survey in the US mentioned that 78% of exercisers mention mental or emotional well-being as their top reason for working out, ahead of physical fitness or appearance goals. Exercise thus offers an evidence-based, practical and scalable approach, which helps improving one’s mental health in both preventive and adjunctive contexts.

Fitness Trends Roundup Of 2025

Before we end the year, let’s recall how the wellness and fitness world fared in 2025. “As we bid farewell to 2025, it’s evident that nutrition and preventive healthcare have taken center stage in shaping healthier communities. This year has underscored the critical role balanced diets, mindful eating, and personalised wellness play not only in maintaining individual well-being, but also in reducing the growing pressures on our healthcare systems. For senior citizens, mindful nutrition is even more crucial, helping maintain vitality, cognitive function, and independence,” shares Ms Mehta.

Shedding light on what we should keep in mind in the new year, the expert adds: “As we move into 2026, it is imperative for both healthcare providers and individuals to prioritise education around healthy eating, embrace sustainable and locally sourced foods, and adopt lifestyle practices that support long-term wellness. By making conscious nutritional choices today, we are building resilient communities and a stronger, healthier future for all.”

Also Read: 5 Habits that Can Transform Your Body At Any Age, Fitness Expert Tells

The Final Word

From wearable technology to mobile exercise apps, the fitness trends that will dominate 2026 have one aspect in common – that the focus will be towards quality, long-term wellbeing and personalisation.