The fitness industry is an ever-evolving, exciting place to be. Each year, new technologies, fitness focuses, and science-backed findings see us shifting how we work out, and the forms of fitness that we prioritise when we’re training. 

In 2023, prime fitness trends like wearable tech were at the top of most people’s priority lists, and it’s hardly surprising considering the speeds at which sport-led technology is advancing. But, as we draw nearer to the start of 2024, it’s time to think about the upcoming fitness trends that we could all benefit from getting a head start with. 

Keep on reading to find out the top ten trends that are currently outlining what fitness is set to look like in 2024. 

1. Personalised Fitness Experiences

The benefits of a personal fitness plan are nothing new. Personal trainers have always worked with their clients to develop tailored exercises based on preferences and lifestyles. But 2023 saw major shifts towards the tools that we use to achieve this personal fitness outlook. And, our fitness in 2024 looks set to continue reaping the benefits. If you are looking for a personal trainer then you should check that they have completed a personal trainer course that is accredited and awarded by a reputable awarding body like Active IQ.

AI-powered health and fitness apps and fitness wearables like WHOOP are at the forefront of this trend thanks to their use of biometric data. By collating metrics that include everything from daily strain levels to heart rate variability (HRV), wearables enable fully personalised workouts that are tailored to your skill levels, the amount of energy you’ve used on any given day, and the amount of sleep you achieved the night before.

Wearables that continue to provide metrics once a personalised fitness regime is in place can also enable you to easily adjust your workout difficulty levels as your fitness improves. 

2. Holistic Fitness

46% of people with poor mental health are also dealing with a physical health condition, and may even be at risk of a shorter lifespan. On the flip side of that, 89% of people report a statistically relevant association between physical exercise and mental health benefits. In other words, our bodies stand to benefit when we look after our minds, and vice versa. 

These are facts that we’ve known for a while now. 2024 looks set to be the year when we finally start treating physical and mental health as a holistic issue.

This is already evident in the continually growing popularity of mindful fitness focuses like yoga. Gyms are also increasingly prioritising holistic health through the introduction of things like meditation sessions, mindfulness classes, and even counselling services. 

There are also plenty of apps cropping up to meet this holistic fitness need, and their popularity is sure to increase throughout 2024.

Across apps like Aura and Happier, it’s possible to access guided meditations, as well as short daily exercises, and other beneficial holistic focuses. Furthermore, apps make it possible to track direct links between how your physical health benefits from mental focuses like meditation, and how exercise helps your headspace. 

3. Longevity Focus

A longevity focus has been a pressing fitness priority ever since the introduction of biohacking techniques. In 2023 there has been increased media exposure on individuals seeking to explore new techniques, harness science and improving technology. For example, Brian Johnson and his project, The Blueprint, where has has handed over control of his nutrition, his exercise and his sleep to an algorithm where the primary focus is `increasing lifespam.

You can expect to see trends like Longevity DNA testing gaining particular traction next year thanks to its ability to highlight personal, scientifically backed areas for longevity improvements. Apps like the gut focused, nutrition coach Zoe mean the everyday individual can get comprehensive data on things like their gut health, they blood fat control and their blood sugar levels.

Beyond the initial testing kit, Zoe, performs the role of nutrition coach, focusing on nutritional dense foods packed with minerals, vitamins and ‘healthy gut’ factors tailored to the individual, post test results!

Wearable tech like WHOOP wearable technology are also bringing deep-seated life-enhancing awareness and oversight to our everyday lives and the longevity improvements we can make within that. 

Increased movement is another crucial element of a longevity focus. In 2024, that’s set to take the form of both increased weekly exercise as advised by longevity expert, Dr Attia, on Diary of a CEO recently, and of more NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) habits like the walking seen from individuals living in the blue zones which are famous for the 100+ life spans of some of their residents. 

In 2024, you can also expect shifting back towards low-grade, achievable longevity interventions like increased movement, dietary improvements, and the personalised fitness focuses that we’ve already discussed. 

4. Sustainable Fitness

Around 75% of millennials consider themselves to be eco-conscious, and the fitness industry is working hard to fit within that sustainability drive. In 2024, many gyms will continue to prioritise sustainability focuses that include – 

• Sustainably sourced gym supplies
• Energy-efficient equipment and lighting
• Reduced water use
• Plastic-free operations
• And so on

The Gym Group is the UK’s first carbon-neutral gym, and they also intend to achieve net zero by 2045 using renewable energy and recycling drives. Throughout 2024, this is a focus that we’re sure to see from far more gyms across the country, especially those looking to attract young audiences. 

5. Virtual Workouts

Virtual workouts spiked during the pandemic when 45% of people were trying to stay active at home. In 2024, yet more of us will be turning to tech to complete workouts from the comfort of our own homes. And, we’ll use a few different avenues to achieve this goal.

Online gym exercise classes will retain their popularity in 2024 thanks to benefits that include increased personalisation, enhanced accessibility, and trackable fitness goals. Virtual reality gyms are also becoming popular for many of those same benefits. Using VR three-dimensional imaging, these gyms enable individuals with VR headsets to access a range of immersive workout experiences.

The benefits of VR workouts include personal feedback, enhanced socialisation, and trackable results. The gamification elements used in VR workouts like those offered by FitXR or Myzone, can also add a much-needed element of fun to any fitness journey in 2024. 

6. Improved Inclusivity

Activity Alliance and Quest have been working to make gyms more inclusive for individuals with disabilities since as far back as 2017. In 2024, that inclusivity drive is set to expand to include individuals from all walks of life and genders. 

Culturally inclusive measures in gyms next year should include things like multilingual staff members and equipment, as well as simple changes like more diverse music choices. Gender stereotypes are also very much out of style in 2024, meaning that you can expect to see far fewer gyms distinguishing between ‘male and female’ equipment. As part of this, fitness instructors will also be steering away from outdated recommendations that women shouldn’t lift more than 25 pounds. 

Instead, inclusive fitness instructors and personal trainers should use the personalised data that they can now access to develop fitness plans based on a client’s capabilities, rather than their gender, disability, or anything else. 

7. High-Impact Training and Strength Training

Gentle fitness focuses like yoga definitely have their place in 2024. But, don’t make the mistake of thinking that next year will be all about low-impact workouts. In actual fact, plenty of trends also point towards a growth in high-impact training next year. 

HIIT (high-intensity interval training) has been increasing in popularity for a few years at this point. And it’s set to grow yet again in 2024. Individuals with less free time than ever will especially come to appreciate the benefits possible from these short bursts of hard-core physical activity. As virtual classes continue to gain traction, HIIT exercises that don’t require any equipment will certainly draw the crowds. 

And HIIT isn’t the only high-impact training type that looks set to grow next year. Strength training is also set to soar for different reasons. Unlike gentler holistic focuses like yoga, strength training that helps with everything from bone density to cardiovascular health, and even mental health, has an undeniably holistic element. It’s growing quickly with women in particular. As such, strength training could quickly become the ideal compromise for individuals who don’t fancy the more obvious holistic workouts that we mentioned earlier. 

Strength training is also a great career to get into. You can learn about more details in our guide to strength and conditioning jobs and how to become a strength and conditioning coach.

8. Outdoor Exercise

We might have been released from the last lockdown well over two years ago, but we continue to crave time outdoors. Furthermore, individuals who discovered outdoor exercise during the last lockdown are still very much enjoying themselves. 

Fitness walking continues to be a popular workout option, especially with the benefit of wearable technology that can tailor this fitness effort. Other less obvious forms of outdoor exercise are also going to be big for 2024, including practical options like stroller fitness and canicrossing (also known as running with your dog!). 

And, of course, long-held outdoor fitness favourites aren’t going anywhere next year either. Many of us will also be embarking on outdoor hikes, running, and cycling. This is especially the case as hybrid work continues to keep many of us at home throughout the day, and is sure to be a fitness trend that stays pretty solid for at least a few more years to come. 

9. Ramping up Recovery

There are plenty of studies to prove the importance of post-exercise recovery, and this is a priority that should’ve been at the forefront of every fitness routine for a while. But, in 2024, the ways that we approach this recovery look set to shift a fair amount. 

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with good old carb-packing and taking a hot or cold bath. But as technology has advanced, so has our understanding of how we can hasten the recovery process. In gyms, this understanding has led to the installation of equipment that includes infra-red saunas and even handheld laser devices. All of which can help to speed recovery as well as ensuring improved health and wellness overall.

In 2024, experts predict that we’ll begin taking those tech-led recovery options home with us. And, the development of portable hand-held recovery options like affordable massage guns means that it couldn’t be easier to keep up with this trend. 

At-home extensive recovery options like these are an especially great idea for you if you fancy the virtual workouts we spoke about earlier. Even if you intend to work with a personal trainer next year, it’s well worth investing in your recovery in 2024. 

10. Support From a Personal Trainer

A lot of the trends that we’ve discussed so far look set to take fitness down virtual or solo paths. In reality, though, expert oversight is always beneficial for fitness journeys. And, in 2024, personal trainers look like they could provide the best of both worlds. 

Fully qualified personal trainers who utilise the latest fitness tech, including wearables, VR, and recovery equipment, can especially attract modern audiences. With longevity in mind, the deep-seated changes possible with the guidance of a PT are also appealing and can be brought within easy reach when trainers develop unique, long-lasting fitness plans for their clients.

To continue securing work despite an increasingly virtual audience base, PTs should attempt to integrate as many of the trends on this list into their practices as possible. App development, virtual communications, and access to fitness data can all see PTs continuing to thrive.

Equally, personal trainers have the same responsibility as gyms to provide inclusive, sustainable workouts to every one of their clients through the delivery of improved business practices, accessible training services, and offering more services like sports massage or CPD specialisms like Pre and Post Natal support

But, if personal trainers manage to get all of this right, then 2024 could be their best year yet. 

Get Ahead of Fitness Trends in 2024 With The Fitness Group

Fitness is going far in 2024. To get ahead of each of these trends, personal trainers need to access the best training possible. And, that’s precisely what you’ll get when you contact the team here at The Fitness Group. 

Our extensive personal trainer fitness courses can see you training at a speed that suits you, from wherever you fancy. We offer courses in a wide range of specialities that include – 

• Personal training courses
• Gym instructor courses
• Strength and conditioning courses
• Nutrition for sport and exercise courses
• Pre and Post Natal

Each of our courses is available on both a full-time and flexible, online basis and can be completed either in-person or online according to your preferences. As the UK’s top training provider, we’re also proud to offer business skills tuition after your course, as well as setting you up with all-important interviews and networking events. With your new skills and our fitness connections, there’s every chance that your personal training business itself will be a top new trend next year. 

So don’t hesitate to contact us, and start considering how your knowledge of these trends could take your PT business further in 2024, and every year after that.