Discover 25 fitness trends from 2025 and the practical steps your gym can take to win in 2026.
2025 has been a pivotal year for gyms and fitness businesses across Australia. Economic pressures, changing work patterns, and a stronger focus on physical and mental wellbeing have reshaped what members expect from their local club. At the same time, operators have leaned into smarter technology, more flexible membership models, and new service offerings to stay competitive and sustainable.
Despite cost-of-living challenges, the fitness sector across both countries continues to show resilience. In Australia, the industry is forecast to grow to around $3.1 billion by 2026, even as operators adapt to competitive and pricing pressures.
This article looks at 25 of the most important fitness and gym trends emerging from 2025, and what they mean for your business in 2026. Throughout, you’ll find practical ideas and actions you can take to improve member experience, embrace smarter technology, and build a more resilient gym in the year ahead.
Member behaviour and expectations
Trend 1: Flexible membership models
Gym members in [Australia] increasingly expect flexibility, not rigid, long-term lock-ins. Month-to-month, casual visit passes, pause options, and family or multi-site memberships are becoming standard, particularly for younger members and those juggling hybrid work and family commitments.
What this means for 2026:
- Review your membership structure to make sure you have at least one low-commitment option.
- Make it simple for members to upgrade, downgrade, or add family members through your online portal or app.
Trend 2: Hybrid and at-home fitness
Hybrid fitness is now an everyday reality. Around 39% of Australians have turned to digital platforms, apps, and at-home fitness technology in the last year, often alongside their gym membership. New Zealanders are following similar patterns, with clubs reporting higher usage of on-demand workouts and app-based programming.
What this means for 2026:
- Offer a mix of in-club and digital services via a member app—such as livestream classes, on-demand video, and app-based programs.
- Use your gym management platform to schedule and track digital engagement as seriously as in-person visits.
Trend 3: Personalised experiences and journeys
Members expect more than a generic “one-size-fits-all” approach. Personalised onboarding, goal setting, training plans, and communication are becoming key differentiators for gyms that retain members longer.
What this means for 2026:
- Use member data from assessments and attendance to tailor programs and check-ins.
- Segment your communication: send different messages to beginners, heavy lifters, small-group fans, or older adults.
Trend 4: Community and connection
Community has become a core part of the value members seek from a gym. Social connections, recurring events, group challenges, and supportive environments keep people engaged, especially when motivation dips.
What this means for 2026:
- Run member challenges, themed group training blocks, or social events.
- Encourage staff to learn names, celebrate milestones, and build personal relationships on the floor.
Trend 5: Holistic wellness and mental health
Wellness is no longer just a buzzword. AUSActive’s 2025–26 trends highlight mental health benefits and holistic wellbeing among the key drivers for exercise, not just aesthetics or performance. New Zealand insights tell a similar story, with many adults motivated by stress reduction and overall health rather than appearance.
What this means for 2026:
- Position your gym as a wellbeing hub, not just a place to “burn calories”.
- Consider adding classes and content explicitly focused on stress relief, sleep, and mental resilience.
Trend 6: Inclusivity and accessibility
Members are increasingly looking for inclusive spaces where people of all ages, sizes, abilities, and backgrounds feel welcome. Adaptive programming, beginner-friendly sessions, and inclusive imagery and language are becoming standard expectations, not nice-to-have extras.
What this means for 2026:
- Audit your timetable and marketing with an inclusivity lens: do different body types, ages, and abilities see themselves represented?
- Consider gentle or low-impact classes, beginner programs, and accessible facility design.
Making your gym more inclusive
Dig Deeper
Creating a more inclusive gym starts with listening, whether that is through anonymous member feedback or everyday conversations on the floor. Small changes can make a big difference, like offering first-timer or back-to-fitness sessions that feel welcoming and low-pressure, and making sure your team uses language and practices that support members from all backgrounds.
Programming, services, and experiences
Trend 7: Small group training and functional fitness
Small group training continues to grow because it offers a blend of personal attention, affordability, and social connection. Functional training and HIIT still rank highly as preferred workout styles, particularly for younger adults, but members often favour smaller, coached groups over large anonymous classes.
What this means for 2026:
- Introduce or expand small group training blocks (e.g. 6–8 week programs) for strength, functional training, or performance.
- Use your booking system to cap group sizes and track engagement.
Trend 8: Pilates and core-focused formats
Pilates is one of the top trends for 2025 in Australia, popular across age groups for its focus on core strength, posture, and injury prevention. New Zealand clubs are also reporting growth in mat and reformer classes, particularly with women and older adults.
What this means for 2026:
- If you do not offer Pilates or similar formats, consider adding them or partnering with a local provider.
- Promote Pilates as part of injury prevention, posture improvement, and longevity messaging.
Trend 9: Recovery, mobility, and low-impact classes
Recovery and mobility are moving from “add-ons” to “must-haves” for many members. Stretch, mobility, yoga, and recovery zones support performance and help manage stress, while also being attractive entry points for new or older members.
What this means for 2026:
- Ensure your timetable includes recovery-focused options, not just high-intensity workouts.
- Equip recovery areas with foam rollers, bands, and educational signage or app-linked content.
Trend 10: Holistic programming and allied health
Gyms are increasingly linking with allied health professionals—physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, dietitians, and psychologists—to deliver more comprehensive support. This is especially relevant as more members use the gym to manage chronic conditions.
What this means for 2026:
- Build referral relationships with local allied health practitioners.
- Consider in-club workshops on topics like back health, nutrition for busy professionals, or managing stress.
Trend 11: Women’s health and life-stage training
There is growing awareness of female-specific needs across the lifespan, from teenage sport participation and pregnancy, through to peri-menopause and menopause. Programs targeting these life stages are growing in both Australia and New Zealand, mirroring global trends.
What this means for 2026:
- Develop or promote programming for pre/post-natal, pelvic health, and menopause support.
- Up-skill trainers in women’s health considerations, or partner with specialists.
Trend 12: Program diversity and experimentation
Members want choice. Timetables with a mix of strength, cardio, dance, functional, mind-body, and specialised classes help keep engagement high and cater to a wider audience. Clubs that experiment with new formats, pop-up events, and themed classes stand out.
What this means for 2026:
- Rotate in new trial classes every quarter and test member response.
- Use attendance data to refine your timetable around what members actually attend.
Operations, staffing, and commercial strategy
Trend 13: Automation and streamlined operations
Automation is now essential. Australian and New Zealand operators are using software systems to handle scheduling, billing, access control, and communication, reducing admin load and human error. This frees staff to focus on coaching and connection.
What this means for 2026:
- Audit your manual processes and identify where automation could save time.
- Consider moving to an all-in-one platform like Xplor Gym to consolidate multiple tools. Explore Xplor Gym Features
Trend 14: Retention as a key performance metric
With acquisition costs rising and competition intensifying, retention has become the key commercial focus. Industry data shows that many clubs still experience annual churn rates over 25%, but those with strong retention strategies perform significantly better financially.
What this means for 2026:
- Track retention and churn as closely as you track sales.
- Implement structured onboarding, regular check-ins, and re-engagement campaigns for members who drop off.
Retention actions you can implement this quarter
Go Beyond
Retention improves when small, timely actions become part of your everyday rhythm. Automated “we miss you” messages can reconnect with members as soon as their visits drop, while celebrating milestones helps people feel seen and valued. Training front desk and PT teams to recognise early signs of disengagement allows issues to be addressed before a member makes the decision to leave.
Check out our latest article on how to improve member retention here!
Trend 15: Diversified revenue streams
Many gyms are expanding beyond traditional memberships and PT to increase resilience. Secondary spend—such as supplements, apparel, small-group upsells, workshops, and digital programs—now makes up a growing share of revenue for clubs in both markets.
What this means for 2026:
- Evaluate opportunities such as nutrition coaching, branded merchandise, or youth programs.
- Use your management system to track secondary spend per member and optimise offerings.
Trend 16: Adaptive and value-based pricing
Operators are experimenting with pricing tiers, off-peak access, family bundles, and “premium” memberships that include extras like recovery services or digital content. This gives members options while helping clubs better match pricing to value.
What this means for 2026:
- Review your pricing tiers: do they clearly link extra value to higher price points?
- Consider low-commitment entry offers that can be upgraded as members engage more.
Trend 17: Upskilling staff in digital tools and CX
Staff expectations are changing. Teams now need to be confident using software, reading dashboards, responding to digital enquiries, and managing hybrid member journeys. Customer experience (CX) training is also critical for retention. Learn more on this from one of our latest articles here.
What this means for 2026:
- Include digital and CX training in staff onboarding and regular PD.
- Give managers access to real-time dashboards so they can coach the team using data.
Trend 18: Coaching for whole-of-life wellbeing
Personal trainers are increasingly acting as coaches for lifestyle and wellbeing, not just workout plans. This holistic coaching approach—covering sleep, stress, nutrition, and movement—resonates with members seeking long-term change.
What this means for 2026:
- Encourage trainers to integrate behaviour-change coaching into programs.
- Consider creating “health coaching” memberships or packages.
Technology, data, and digital experiences
Trend 19: Wearable tech and connected data
Wearable technology remains one of the top global and local fitness trends. A large proportion of Australians and New Zealanders now use smartwatches or trackers, and many want to see that data integrated into their training. Gyms are using this to create challenges, heart-rate-based programming, and progress tracking.
What this means for 2026:
- Run challenges that link member data to in-club leaderboards or app-based rewards.
- Train coaches to interpret wearable data and apply it to program design.
Trend 20: Data-driven decision making
Clubs are becoming more data-led in how they design timetables, run promotions, and improve member experience. Usage trends, visit frequency, class occupancy, and member feedback are being analysed to sharpen decision-making.
What this means for 2026:
- Use dashboards from your gym management software to identify high and low-performing classes or membership types.
- Base changes on evidence—such as moving popular sessions to peak times or improving underperforming offerings.
Trend 21: Mobile apps as the member hub
Members expect to manage their entire gym relationship via their phones—from joining and booking, to viewing programs and consuming content. App-based communication (push notifications and in-app messages) has stronger engagement than email for many younger members.
What this means for 2026:
- Ensure your app offers booking, waitlisting, membership details, and content in one place.
- Use push notifications for reminders, class changes, or challenge updates.
Create a seamless digital journey
Dig Deeper
Connect member sign-up, bookings, payments, and communication with a single app-driven experience using Xplor Gym.
Trend 22: Integrated, cloud-based ecosystems
Operators are moving away from multiple disconnected systems to integrated, cloud-based ecosystems that link access control, CRM, POS, and analytics. This simplifies operations and improves data accuracy and reporting.
What this means for 2026:
- Review current systems and identify integration gaps that create manual work.
- Consider the long-term benefits of consolidating onto a single, scalable platform.
Trend 23: Paperless, sustainable operations
Paperless operations (digital waivers, online sign-ups, and cloud storage) are becoming the norm. This reduces admin time, improves record-keeping, and aligns with growing consumer expectations for sustainable business practices.
What this means for 2026:
- Move contracts, PAR-Qs, and waivers to digital forms.
- Promote your paperless processes as part of your sustainability story.
Exercise for all generations
Trend 24: Active ageing and older adults
One of the strongest trends highlighted by AUSActive for 2025–26 is the focus on fitness across all generations, with “Older Adult Training” consistently ranking near the top of trend lists. New Zealand’s ageing population is driving similar demand, as older adults seek to maintain independence, social connection, and quality of life.
What this means for 2026:
- Develop targeted offerings for older adults—such as strength for seniors, balance and falls-prevention classes, or low-impact circuits.
- Consider mid-morning and early-afternoon slots for older adult sessions, when gyms are typically quieter.
Trend 25: Multi-generational and family-friendly programming
“Exercise for all generations” also means including kids, teens, parents, and grandparents. Family-friendly sessions, youth fitness programs, and events that invite multiple generations help position your club as a community hub, not just a training space.
What this means for 2026:
- Offer family passes, school holiday programs, or parent/child sessions.
- Design marketing that speaks to all life stages, from youth sport support to active ageing.
Turning “all generations” into your edge
Tip
Start by understanding who your gym currently serves and where the gaps are, whether that means younger members, families, or older adults in your local area. Test a short-term, multi-generational initiative, such as a family-focused month or community challenge, and track participation and referrals to see what genuinely resonates and is worth building on long term.
Market outlook and future opportunities for 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, the fitness industry in [Australia] is shaped by three dominant forces: continued tech adoption, a deepening focus on holistic wellness, and an increasingly diverse membership base across generations. Operators that adapt their business models, technology stack, and member experience to these forces are best placed to grow.
Key opportunities for gyms in 2026:
- Positioning as a wellness and community hub rather than just a workout facility.
- Specialising in high-opportunity niches such as older adult training, women’s health, youth fitness, or hybrid coaching.
- Using data, automation, and integrated software to improve retention, efficiency, and profitability.
Wrap-Up:
By treating these 25 trends as a roadmap—not just interesting industry trivia—you can make smarter decisions about memberships, programming, technology, and staffing. The result: better member experiences, stronger retention, and a more resilient, future-ready gym.
Ready to turn trends into action?
Discover how Xplor Gym can help you streamline operations, create seamless digital journeys, and deliver personalised experiences at scale for Australian and New Zealand members. Book a demo today
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