Reflecting on 2024, it’s clear the health and fitness industry has undergone significant transformation, largely driven by an increased focus on inclusivity and personalized fitness and wellness solutions. The growing integration of digital tools has allowed more people to access fitness in ways that suit their unique needs, refining how the industry operates.
In this Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM, ACE President and CEO, along with several members of the ACE Scientific Advisory Panel, look ahead to 2025, exploring trends they expect to emerge (or continue to dominate the conversation) in the coming year. “As leaders,” says Dr. Bryant, “we must embrace these trends while championing evidence-based practices to ensure safe, effective and equitable access to health and wellness for all individuals.”
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
“AI is now central to fitness,” explains Dr. Bryant, “from AI-driven personal training apps to virtual group exercise platforms. It enables hyper-personalized fitness plans, helps trainers scale their businesses and provides real-time feedback through wearables and smart devices. However, this trend presents a challenge for exercise professionals to maintain a unique, human touch through motivation and relationship building—qualities that AI cannot replicate.
Ted Vickey, PhD, agrees: “AI and machine learning will revolutionize personal training by creating highly customizable workout and nutrition plans. These systems will analyze vast amounts of individual data, including health metrics, workout history and personal goals, to craft bespoke fitness blueprints that adapt in real time to a client’s progress and needs.”
Professionals can stay competitive by incorporating AI tools, apps and virtual platforms into their business models to enhance client management, program customization and data analysis.
2. Wearable Technology Integration
This is another area where Dr. Vickey sees continued growth. “Wearable devices will become even more integral to personal training and health coaches. Trainers and coaches will leverage real-time data from advanced wearables to monitor clients’ heart rates, sleep patterns and activity levels, allowing for precise and effective guidance.”
3. Virtual and Hybrid Training
“Post-pandemic,” explains Dr. Bryant, “the demand for virtual and hybrid fitness programs remains strong, offering convenience for clients. Trainers need to be proficient with digital tools, design programs for online formats and effectively manage remote relationships. Professionals can broaden their reach by offering both in-person and online services.”
Dr. Vickey predicts further advancements with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) workouts, which create immersive and engaging workout environments. “VR and AR technologies will transform the personal-training experience,” he says, “making remote training more attractive and effective.”
Inclusivity has been a focus at the American Council on Exercise and in the fitness industry at large in recent years. “There is a growing focus on creating inclusive environments for diverse populations,” says Dr. Bryant, “including older adults, individuals with disabilities and those with chronic conditions. Exercise professionals must adapt their training styles and knowledge to foster welcoming spaces for all and serve these groups effectively, as accessibility and inclusivity are essential for client acquisition and retention.”
Avery Faigenbaum, EdD, believes that power training will become increasingly popular with clients moving forward. “While many athletes incorporate power training into their workouts, this type of exercise is also important for adults—including older adults—due to the wide range of potential benefits,” he explains. “Power training enhances the ability to perform everyday tasks such as climbing stairs, and can improve balance, coordination and reaction time. Notably, power training targets fast-twitch muscle fibers that tend to deteriorate faster than slow-twitch fibers as we age. By training muscles to react quickly, power training can help adults maintain stability and reduce the likelihood of accidents, such as slips and falls.”
Exercise professionals can incorporate power training into a fitness routine provided the exercises are tailored to each individual’s needs, goals and physical abilities. “The key,” says Dr. Faigenbaum, “is focusing on quick, controlled movements with moderate resistance to build power safely.”
Dr. Faigenbaum also says that recovery strategies are gaining increased attention for their role in overall health and performance: “Recovery strategies like foam rolling, massage guns, compression gear, cold therapy and saunas are thought to reduce muscle soreness, speed up recovery times and improve performance. Often seen in the realm of professional athletes, recovery strategies are becoming a mainstream part of fitness workouts.” Evidence on the efficacy of these types of modalities is just beginning to emerge, so there are no standardized recommendations for practitioners.
Exercise professionals can talk with their clients about different recovery strategies while emphasizing the importance of rest and restoration for both physical and mental health. As people push themselves harder in higher–intensity workouts, recovery strategies can help to reduce the risk of overtraining, burnout and injury.
7. Weight-inclusive Approaches
“Weight-inclusive approaches,” explains Dominique Adair, MS, RD, “emphasize health and well-being for individuals of all sizes, focusing on sustainable behaviors rather than weight as the sole indicator of health. They promote body neutrality and self-acceptance while addressing health conditions without stigma.
“By avoiding restrictive diets, prioritizing mental health, supporting personalized goals aligned with a patient’s values and reducing weight bias in healthcare, the goal is to empower individuals to engage in healthy practices without shame or pressure to meet specific weight targets.”
Adair goes on to explain that health coaches and exercise professionals can support weight-inclusive approaches by fostering body-positive environments that emphasize strength, mobility and overall well-being over weight loss. They can tailor programs to individual goals, promote sustainable habits and help clients build confidence without focusing on appearance or weight metrics.
8. Anti-obesity Medications
According to Adair, this is a growing trend due to advancements in therapies like GLP-1 receptor agonists, which improve metabolic health beyond weight loss. “Their rise is seen positively,” she says, “because they offer evidence-based options for managing obesity-related conditions, reducing reliance on stigmatizing approaches, and improving long-term health outcomes.”
More from Adair: “Health coaches and exercise professionals can complement anti-obesity medications by designing exercise programs that prioritize resistance training to preserve lean muscle mass during weight loss, thereby defending against the metabolic adaptations that occur with all weight loss that makes weight regain (with or without these medications) so common. They also provide accountability and guidance on physical activity, helping clients maintain functional strength and metabolic health alongside their medication regimen.”
The “food as medicine” movement promotes using nutritious food to prevent, manage or treat chronic conditions, especially among vulnerable populations, Adair explains. “Programs aligned with this approach—like medically tailored meals or produce prescriptions (both of which are being covered by medical benefits, including Medicaid)—aim to address both food insecurity and nutrition insecurity, by providing access to nutrient-rich foods that can reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes. These initiatives recognize that food insecurity not only limits access to calories, but also deprives individuals of the nutrition needed for optimal health, exacerbating chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.”
For health coaches and exercise professionals, the “food as medicine” movement may open new opportunities to partner with healthcare providers or community programs offering medically tailored meals or produce prescriptions, ensuring clients have access to healthy foods that complement their fitness routines. Additionally, trainers can advocate for practical, affordable nutrition strategies that align with clients’ health goals, emphasizing the role of balanced diets in preventing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
10. A More Holistic Approach
Fitness is increasingly viewed as part of a broader lifestyle practice. “Professionals integrating mental health awareness, recovery practices, stress management and sleep hygiene into their programs are achieving more enduring client engagement,” says Dr. Bryant.
Clients seek not just physical results but connection and accountability, making community-building an essential component. Whether through in-person classes, online platforms or social media, professionals who foster a supportive environment are better equipped to retain clients.
Expanding beyond fitness to include health and wellness coaching, mental health support and nutrition enables professionals to help clients achieve long-term well-being, while also creating additional revenue streams.
The trends shaping 2025 reflect a continued evolution toward inclusivity, personalization and holistic health. By embracing these shifts, exercise professionals and health coaches can remain at the forefront of the industry, delivering safe, effective and innovative solutions that empower individuals to lead healthier lives.
