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“Wearables are certainly not going anywhere,” said ACSM Past President Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, lead author of the survey. “Not only are these devices becoming more affordable, but wearable data is increasingly being used in clinical decision making so they are continuing to hold their appeal,” he said.
As we enter 2023, the results of this year’s survey could also very well be titled ‘post-pandemic recovery impacts the fitness industry’ or ‘what happened to online training and home gyms?’, adds Dr. Thompson.
ACSM’s annual survey helps the global health and fitness industry make critical programming and business decisions that ultimately affect consumers. This year’s survey assessed 42 potential trends with the top 20 described in the report.
In 2020, online training came in at No. 26. In 2021, it was the No. 1 trend. In 2022 it dropped to No. 9, and in the 2023 results it fell to No. 21. Clearly seeing this trend drop so significantly ties back to the fact that individuals are returning to the gym and in many cases abandoning their home gyms.
Fitness facilities also seem to be returning to the basics in a more post-pandemic world: Strength Training with Free Weights was No. 2, Body Weight Training took the No. 3 spot, and Core Training and Circuit Training ranked Nos. 11 and 12, respectively.
Other trends have remained relatively stable, regardless of the changes brought by COVID-19: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), for example, was the No. 1 trend in both 2014 and 2018, and it took the No. 7 slot in 2022 and 2023.
Fitness Programs for Older Adults experienced fluctuations that seemed to be caused both by the pandemic and other external factors including the fact that many Baby Boomers are entering retirement and adopting a lifestyle that focuses on fitness. This trend was No. 9 in 2018, No. 4 for 2019, No. 8 in 2020, No. 9 again in 2021, No. 11 in 2022, and moving up to the No. 4 slot in 2023.
- Wearable Technology. Think fitness trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors, and GPS tracking devices, including tech that can monitor heart rate, calories, sitting time, sleep and more.
- Strength Training with Free Weights. This activity incorporates the use of barbells, dumbbells and/or kettlebells.
- Body Weight Training. Predictably, techniques that focus on body weight as the primary resistance. Body weight training uses minimal equipment and space, making it an inexpensive and functional way to exercise.
- Fitness Programs for Older Adults. Programming focused on the aging population and its unique needs.
- Functional Fitness Training. Training to improve balance, coordination, functional strength and endurance to improve activities of daily living.
- Outdoor Activities. Pursuits like group walks, bicycle rides or organized hiking led by health and fitness professionals. Activities can be short events, day-long events, or planned multiday excursions.
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). These exercise programs typically involve repeated bouts of high-intensity exercise combined with periods of rest.
- Exercise for Weight Loss. This trend incorporates weight loss programs like dieting and cooking classes with an exercise routine.
- Employing Certified Fitness Professionals. Hiring certified health and fitness professionals who have completed educational programs and fully accredited health/fitness certifications.
- Personal Training. Personal training includes goal setting, fitness assessment and exercise programming with a trainer in one-on-one settings.
Fitness professionals and healthcare providers made up the largest percentages of respondents. Fifty-five percent had more than 10 years of industry experience, and 29% had more than 20. Fifty-eight percent of respondents were female and 41% were male, and those surveyed represented a wide range of ages.
ACSM published a separate article comparing the top 20 fitness trends in North America, Australia, Brazil, Europe, Mexico, Portugal and Spain. This article, led by Vanessa M. (Martinez) Kercher, Ph.D., FACSM, ACSM-EP® from the School of Public Health at Indiana University, provides a more specific understanding of the health and fitness trends in different regions around the world.
Trends differed slightly by region. Australia ranked Fitness Programs for Older Adults at No. 1. In Brazil it was Personal Training. Europe placed Body Weight Training in the top slot. Mexico favored Exercise and Weight Loss Programs. Portuguese respondents were most interested in Licensure for Fitness Professionals. In Spain, the No. 1 trend was Functional Fitness Training. And the United States reflected the overall global trend, placing Wearable Technology at No. 1.
“This survey allows the fitness industry to consider trends globally and to use these rankings to better meet consumer needs and drive business growth,” adds Dr. Kercher.
The full list of top 20 trends is available in the article “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2023.” You can also access key takeaways from the global rankings for Australia, Brazil, Europe, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and the U.S. in “2023 Fitness Trends from around the Globe.” Additional details and resources are also available on ACSM.org.
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About the American College of Sports Medicine
ACSM is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 50,000 international, national and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine. More details at www.acsm.org.
About ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal®
ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal® is an official publication of the American College of Sports Medicine, visit www.acsm-healthfitness.org for more information. This journal is available from Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins at 1-800-638-3030.
