Fitness trends 2021: online training tops the list due to COVID
In 2021, the list changed drastically. Online training came in at number 1, clearly influenced by lockdowns, closed clubs and the rapid growth of training at home.
Top 10 fitness trends in 2021
The ranking below follows ACSM's Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends. We keep the original terms recognizable, so the list remains easy to compare with other years.
- Online training
- Wearable technology
- Body weight training
- Outdoor activities
- HIIT
- Virtual training
- Exercise is Medicine
- Strength training with free weights
- Fitness programs for older adults
- Personal training
What stands out in 2021?
Online training at the top is the clearest pandemic signal in the entire series. Fitness temporarily moved from the club floor to the living room, garden and screen.
Outdoor activities reached fourth place. Outdoor walking, running, cycling and boot camp offered a practical alternative to closed indoor spaces.
Wearables remained second. Especially outside the club, trackers became useful for maintaining activity and routine.
What does this mean for exercisers?
For exercisers, 2021 was mainly a year of adaptation. Those who normally trained in the gym had to build new routines with less equipment.
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Bodyweight training and outdoor activities made staying consistent more achievable. The most important thing was not training perfectly, but continuing to move.
What does this mean for gyms and coaches?
For clubs, 2021 was a hard lesson in flexibility. Online classes, remote coaching and community outside the physical location became more necessary.
Not every online service remained equally valuable after reopening, but the expectation of digital support never fully disappeared.
How does 2021 fit into the longer trend?
2021 is an unusual year in the series, but that is exactly why it matters. In 2022, online classes drop again, while home gyms and outdoor training remain high.
Continue reading in the series: Fitness trends 2020: wearables and free weights | fitness trends by year | Fitness trends 2022: wearables, home gyms and outdoor training.
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