For an answer to this question, we reached out to a few of our favorite sources. Turns out, the world of health and hype merging to create a modern fitness environment of science, community, and knowledge.
1. Young People Are Taking Gains Seriously
Anthony Pasquale, Gym Insight Sales Team Leader
Anthony Pasquale heads sales at Gym Insight. Every day, he speaks with gym owners and gym dreamers about their businesses and aspirations. He’s also a gym fanatic—holding not one, but two club memberships—and a former health club owner.
“What I’ve seen in the past year is the younger generation, both men and women, getting much more serious about fitness. The gyms embracing this are flourishing,” he explains.
This generation does its homework. It’s no longer lifting just to lift—or skipping leg day because it’s too hard. Today, young members are signing up for gyms while researching how to maximize results without injury.
Additionally, more gyms are adding recovery tools such as cold plunges to support injury prevention and overall well-being. “I’d love to see this trend really catch on,” Pasquale says.
2. Cutting-Edge Fitness Trends
Alex Hutchinson, Science, Fitness, and Health Author
In a fitness trends piece Hutchinson wrote for The Globe and Mail, he outlines several movements driving fitness in 2026. As an elite-level runner, post-doctoral physicist, author, and contributor to Outside magazine, his perspective is both informed and cutting edge.
Here’s Hutchinson’s take on fitness trends:
- The search for hacks.
“More than ever, we’re looking for hacks—pills, morning routines, and apparently exotic gases—that can simplify or accelerate the journey to better health or greater fitness,” he writes. Supercharged by social media, this trend seeks shortcuts while sacrificing the journey. “Try to resist it,” he urges. - Slow down
Elite runners use an 80/20 ratio of easy to hard runs to build mileage and speed. Our current emphasis on high intensity overlooks growing research showing that steady, “relatively easy” exercise has significant metabolic benefits. - Advanced calorie counting.
*Isotope-labeled drinks now help athletes calculate calorie burn with precision. Used correctly, this tool can help serious exercisers ensure they’re eating enough to support their training output. - Running’s third boom.
Hutchinson admits he’s a bit biased here, but he believes we’ve reached a third running boom. New, thick-soled shoes reduce impact, while Gen Z runners seek real-life community through run clubs.
3. Gym Trends in 2026: Legs, Booty, and Gen Z
Steven Harvalias, Owner, SuperFitness New and Used Gym Equipment
Steven Harvalias sells new and used gym equipment worldwide and owns SuperFitness Club in Burlington, North Carolina.
With more than 25 years in the industry, he’s never seen such a strong emphasis on weight training. New clubs are doubling the number of strength pieces they buy. For example, instead of purchasing ten treadmills and one StairMaster, they’re buying four of each.
“Leg and glute machines are selling the best,” he explains. “People want thicker legs and butts. The string-bean look is out.”
Younger people—teens and those in their 20s—are turning lifting into a movement.
Instead of heading to bars on Friday night, they’re hitting the gym, drinking their pre-workouts, and training for three hours. He sees it firsthand at his own gym and hears the same from clubs around the world.
“It’s almost a safe place now,” he says. Teens lift with their parents. Women are more confident lifting heavy. From a commercial perspective, Harvalias believes the most successful gyms are learning to reinvent themselves—reinvesting in standout equipment and showcasing their strengths.
“If you’re not reinvesting in your gym, you’re a dying breed,” he says.
How Big Is the Fitness Industry in the United States?
According to a survey conducted for the Health & Fitness Association (HFA), “Americans plan to spend an estimated $60 billion in 2026 to support their health, fitness, and exercise goals and New Year’s resolutions.”
Additionally, “an overwhelming 86% of Americans say that access to gyms, studios, or other fitness facilities will be important to achieving their 2026 goals, including 61% who say it will be very important.”
Which means, while smart watches and online training may help people reach their fitness goals and are a gym trend in their own right, people still believe a structured, well-run gym is a leading factor in their success.
Gym Insight’s Trends for 2026
At Gym Insight, our gym management software continues to evolve and innovate. This year, we’re introducing new tools that expand our platform and respond directly to customer requests.
Our cloud-based payment processing, member management, and club management software frees up owner time and boosts efficiency. Add in tablet-based sales automation, a fully integrated platform, a free members app, and 24/7 digital keytag access—and you transform how gyms sell memberships, manage guests, and store documents.
It’s easy. It’s revolutionary.
Call us today at 855-FOR-GYMS.
*Commonly referred to as “Isotonic-labeled drinks”