The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has published its 20th annual Worldwide Fitness Trends forecast for 2026, with the No. 1 trend being Wearable Technology. The annual report is based on a survey of 2,000 clinicians, researchers and exercise professionals in the fitness industry.
“We’ve seen dramatic changes in fitness trends over the last two decades, and this milestone gives us a long-term perspective of how the field has evolved and impacted health and fitness” said Cayla R. McAvoy, Ph.D., ACSM-certified exercise physiologist and lead author of the report, which was published in ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal. “Over the years, we’ve seen fitness trends tied to childhood obesity, online training during the COVID pandemic, addressing mental health, the rise of fitness technology, medically integrated programs and active aging.”
The annual trends report helps exercise professionals, gym owners and their clients understand the findings in relation to their own work environment. Whether refining services in a fitness club, adapting training programs to meet specific health and fitness needs, shaping physical activity policies or researching implementation and impact, the results offer practical guidance to inform decision-making. Survey findings offer both a snapshot of current practices and insight into new priorities and growth areas across the health and fitness industry.
Commenting on Wearable Technology as the top fitness trend for 2026, McAvoy said “Nearly half of U.S. adults now own a fitness tracker or smartwatch, so the question is no longer whether people will use wearables. What matters now is teaching people how to use them in ways that best support their health and behavior change.”
Notable changes to the 20th anniversary report include the addition of practical applications for each of the 20 trends on the list, addressing practice, programming or policy in order to help apply trends in real-world setting. In addition, Adult Recreation and Sport Clubs made its first appearance on the list of top trends, influenced by the popularity of pickleball and a desire for social connection while exercising.
Here are the top five trends for 2026:
Wearable Technology: Consistently a top trend over the last several years, Wearable Technology continues to evolve with advanced biosensors now capturing indicators such as fall or crash detection, heart rhythm, blood pressure, blood glucose and skin temperature. These are particularly important for a wide demographic, ranging from patients in rehabilitation, fitness beginners, athletes and aging adults. This trend held a top three rank in nearly all professions and age groups surveyed, reflecting its widespread appeal.
Fitness Programs for Older Adults (active aging): The baby boomer generation includes 73 million Americans, all of whom will be over age 65 by 2030, intensifying demand for age-appropriate, evidence-based exercise options. According to the 2023 IHRSA U.S. Health & Fitness Consumer Report, adults 65 and older now visit gyms and studios more often than any other age group.
Exercise for Weight Management: Its highest position to date, the Exercise for Weight Management trend now includes increases in the use of obesity management medications such as GLP-1 RA. Obesity affects 42.4% of U.S. adults, while approximately 49% of those with obesity report actively trying to manage their weight.
Mobile Exercise Apps: Mobile Exercise Apps deliver on-demand, scheduled, live-streamed or recorded workouts, offering users convenience and flexibility to exercise anytime, anywhere. In 2024, more than 345 million people used fitness apps, generating more than 850 million downloads. App users tend to be younger, female, college-educated, and living in urban areas, with lower adoption observed among older adults and individuals with limited digital literacy.
Balance, Flow, and Core Strength: After a pandemic-related dip in group participation, these formats have regained momentum alongside increased interest in holistic health and mind–body integration. This trend has been reframed as a key component of a balanced fitness regimen, bridging movement quality with mental well-being.
Adult Recreation and Sports Clubs hold the No. 9 position on the trends list, reflecting growing interest in activities that combine fitness with fun, flexibility and social connection outside traditional gym settings. The rising popularity of pickleball, clubs and leagues involving less strenuous activities are examples of this trend.