Wearable technology, programs for adults 65 and older and exercise for weight management are among the top trends identified in ACSM’s 2026 report
As data and longevity become central to fitness and wellness, wearable technology and fitness suited for aging populations are growing in popularity, according to the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) latest annual Worldwide Fitness Trends forecast.
The 2026 report drew upon a survey of 2,000 clinicians, researchers and exercise professionals in the fitness industry, published in the November/December issue of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal.
“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 ACSM-certified exercise physiologist and lead author of the report, Dr. Cayla R. McAvoy. “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.”
Here are the top trends researchers found.
1. Wearable Tech
From smartwatches and rings to continuous glucose monitors and advanced biosensors, wearable tech is everywhere, once again topping the year’s top fitness trends.
As more products enter a bustling market, the technology keeps advancing, the ACSM points out, with people able to track a whole host of biometrics including heart rhythm, blood pressure, heart rate and skin temperature.
“Nearly half of U.S. adults now own a fitness tracker or smartwatch, so the question is no longer whether people will use wearables,” McAvoy said. “What matters now is teaching people how to use them in ways that best support their health and behavior change.”
Among those surveyed, wearable technology held a top-three rank across nearly all professions and age groups.
The ACSM report states that these tools can be helpful for those self-monitoring their health and wellness, in addition to boosting engagement and accountability to reinforce healthy habit-building over time.
2. Fitness For Older Adults
Adults 65 and older visited gyms and studios more often than any other age group, according to the Health & Fitness Association’s 2023 U.S. Health and Fitness Consumer Report.
Among this population, ACSM encourages resistance training to preserve strength, balance and mobility movements to reduce fall risk and low-impact cardio to support heart health.
Additionally, ACSM cited a 2024 industry report that found programs labeled “low intensity,” “functional” or “active aging” were more successful in drawing in participants than those called “senior fitness.”
“The older adult population will soon be the largest in U.S. history and will require qualified exercise professionals to provide safe and effective exercise for this group of people,” said editor-in-chief of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, Paul M. Gallo. “The rank of this trend indicates the importance of better understanding how to serve this population in our industry.”
3. Exercise For Weight Management
This trend is claiming its highest position since ACSM began its yearly report in 2006. The organization partially attributes that to the increased use of GLP-1 medications, as obesity affects 42.4% of U.S. adults, and 49% of those with obesity report actively trying to manage their weight.
“Exercise and physical activity should be part of any weight management program due to their positive impact on both mental and physical health,” said ACSM-Certified Exercise Physiologist, Dr. Sarah M. Camhi. “Weight-loss drugs may reduce muscle, which can harm health. Exercise may preserve muscle, boost strength and improve physical function, but research is still ongoing.”
ACSM report identifies exercise as essential to long-term weight management in its ability to support lean mass, physical function and metabolic health.
Research also reflects that those who maintain a workout routine during GLP-1 treatment see higher fat loss and lean mass preservation after stopping medication than those relying on the drugs alone.
Other Top Fitness Trends
In addition to the three top trends uncovered by ACSM, the following also made the list:
- Mobile Exercise Apps: In 2024, ACSM noted, more than 345 million people used fitness apps, generating more than 850 million downloads, with users tending to be younger, female, college-educated and living in urban areas.
- Balance, flow and core strength: These formats (pilates, yoga, core) have seen renewed momentum alongside increased interest in holistic health and mind-body integration.
- Exercise for mental health: One national survey found that 78% of exercisers cited mental or emotional well-being as their top reason for working out, ahead of physical fitness or appearance goals.
- Traditional strength training: ACSM emphasized these workouts are essential for maintaining bone density, metabolic health, and mobility across the lifespan.
- Data-driven technology: More than 70% of wearable users reported using their data to inform exercise or recovery strategies, while exercise professionals can use the metrics to tailor intensity, assess readiness and reduce risk of overtraining.
- Adult recreation and sport clubs: This trend reflects growing interest in activities that combine fitness with fun, flexibility and social connection outside traditional gym settings — think activities like pickleball, padel or run clubs.
- Functional fitness training: This includes strength, power, mobility and endurance movements designed to improve physical performance in day-to-day activities, like squats, lunges and carries that translate to real-life movements.
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