These Fitness Trends Will Dominate 2026

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Here at Women’s Health, it’s our job to have a finger on the pulse of fitness. But with trends coming and going faster than a HIIT interval, that’s not always easy. Some fitness crazes flare up and fizzle out, while others plant their roots—at least until the next best thing comes along.

As we kiss 2025 goodbye, we take a look back on all the fine things it brought us, including (but certainly not limited to) the Great Lock In, hybrid training, Zone 2 cardio, weighted vests, and vibration plates. While we may champion some more than others, they all point to the same truth: getting stronger, moving smoother, and feeling your best never goes out of style.

We’re pretty darn sure 2026 will be no different. Here’s what our editors and experts predict we’ll see more of in the fitness and wellness spaces in the year ahead.

AI will continue to bring customized training plans to the masses.

People want tailored workouts without paying personal trainer prices. And, love it or hate it, AI is making those customized workouts accessible. Runna and Strava are two apps that make it possible to give you running plans designed by AI and adjust your plan as you go along, using AI to be more customized to your body. I trained with a Runna plan for $20 a month for my first marathon (way cheaper than hiring a run coach) and enjoyed it. Even Peloton is getting in on fitness AI with their new Peloton IQ feature; it detects when weights are too light for you and counts reps. It even recommends workouts for you based on your workout history and goals.

—Addison Aloian, CPT, WH associate health and fitness editor

Mobility will work its way into group fitness.

We’ve been cued into the importance of mobility training for a while (yoga has been practiced for centuries, and Pilates incorporates plenty of mobility aspects). When we practice mobility, everything gets better—strength increases, endurance lengthens, and power gets more vigor. But, for some reason, people (guilty!) are still skipping their 10-minute stretch routine at the end of their workouts.

And group fitness brands are capitalizing on it. Brands like F45 and Crunch are hosting stretch-specific workout classes. Even CorePower offers light stretch and mobility classes without the breathwork and mindfulness angle you’d see in their traditional yoga classes. Mobility is for everyone, and companies are finding ways to make it appeal to the masses—not just the yogis.

—Cori Ritchey, CSCS, WH fitness editor

Fitness “games” will become more accessible.

I think we’re going to continue seeing this boom in amateur, beginner-friendly workout competitions in 2026—think Hyrox, shorter distance run-walk races, Ragnar relays, and more. People are craving challenge, community, and motivation, and are discovering smaller, less-intimidating spaces to achieve those things without necessarily having to commit to a full-blown marathon, for instance.

I also think we’ll see this trend show up more in the group fitness space. My local performance club, for example, recently hosted a “Games” that you could do with a partner, complete with prizes and a DJ, and they’re planning to do more next year.

As fitness keeps shifting toward inclusivity and skill-building, these “everyday athlete” events help people have a tangible way to celebrate progress and offer connection, confidence, and a reason to show up. And while not everyone is motivated by competition (or even self-competition and PRs!), and that’s totally okay, there’s a growing group of people who love having a low-stakes goal to train for and a shared experience to look forward to.

—Jacqueline Andriakos, CPT, WH executive health and fitness director

Fitness studios will become all-encompassing.

One trend I’m seeing—and experiencing myself—is that the line between fitness and wellness no longer exists. Fitness/wellness studios aren’t just for going to work out; they’re for feeling good about yourself, in yourself, as yourself. Social wellness clubs like Remedy Place, Othership and, honestly, just about every run club are about finding community in wellness, or looping your community into your favorite workout or wellness ritual. Fitness studios are becoming places to go, socialize, sweat, and linger… for hours. In fact, it feels like every fitness studio now has something “extra” to offer—a juice bar, a healthy beverage fridge, a remote work area, a community run, a tea, a brand partnership, a product launch… whatever it is!

If anything, I see wellness rituals taking priority over exercise. I think people are seeking places and spaces where they can feel calm, get away from screens, and connect with others in a really authentic way. And the best part? It’s contagious. By doing and sharing these rituals and seeing all the wonderful places to feel good, people are prioritizing their own health and doing it for themselves, not the cameras.

While I still love a running club and a fusion workout, what I love most is a workout that makes me feel strong, happy, and powerful. And I think people are going wherever they can feel those things. It’s not about how you look anymore. For some, it never was. It’s all about how a place makes you feel, and sharing that with others.

—Rachel Tavel, DPT, CSCS, fitness expert and writer

Race-centered travel will explode.

Taking trips centered around races (marathons, Hyrox, Ragnars) will expand. With the growing popularity of running and running long distance races (and the difficulty in getting into the World Major marathons and more popular races), runners are looking for ways to spice up their experiences and their courses. And, with brands like Hyrox hosting events all over the world, people are making their race day more of an experience by traveling. Companies like Vacation Races are making a business out of it—hosting races around the world.

I recently ran the Joshua Tree Half Marathon, which took place at sunset, winding through the desert under the stars (and with a headlamp, of course) and it was incredible. It was such a fun way to challenge myself and also experience a national park in a completely different way. But imagine planning a vacation to Ireland, Bermuda, or Bangkok and also getting to run a race while there. It’s so fun!

—Alexandra Mack, CPT, Obe instructor and trainer of the Women’s Health+ Build & Burn series: Dumbbell

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Breathwork will come to the forefront.

Fitness has been shifting into a holistic perspective for some time now—not only concerned with aesthetics anymore, but with how overall mental, physical, and spiritual health can affect longevity. And, the brain/body connection is coming forth more and more in fitness spaces, and could shift into full meditation or breathwork classes centered around intentional breathing, meditation, and light movement. These types of practices could be great to include in your fitness regimen if you have a hard time “slowing down”, want to learn more about meditation, and/or need stress relief.

—Sarah Warshowsky, CPT, NYC-based trainer and trainer of Build & Burn: Kettlebell