Technology applications in the fitness industry continue to build momentum as wearable technology, mobile exercise apps and data-driven training technology all appear in the top 10 of the American College of Sports Medicine's 2025 ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends. Based on the annual survey of 2,000 clinicians, researchers and practitioners in the fitness industry, wearable technology was named the number one trend for 2025, followed by mobile exercise apps (#2) and - notably - exercise programs for older adults, which held its place as #3. In addition, health and wellness coaching was #10.

The outcomes provide valuable data for fitness professionals, business owners and exercise enthusiasts, and help inform critical business decisions and professional development plans.

Top-10 placements for exercise programs for older adults, exercise for weight loss (#4) and exercise for mental health (#8) reflect strong trends toward programs designed for specific needs and populations, according to ACSM.

With regard to exercise programs for older adults, ACSM notes that "regular physical activity for this growing population remains a critical strategy for maintaining overall health, preventing chronic diseases, improving quality of life, and the promotion of independent living. Adults aged 60 years and older are also less likely to engage in the recommended amounts of physical activity for health, making them an important demographic for high-quality, evidence-based programming.”

Interestingly, worksite health promotion, the #2 trend in 2024, fell out of the top 20 altogether for 2025. Amid the changing landscape of hybrid and remote work schedules, employers are challenged to leverage alternative solutions for supporting the wellness of workers, according to ACSM. This could mean leaning on digital technologies to promote health and wellness programming for employees.

To download the full article with the top-20 trends, published in ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, click here