Features

2023 Fitness Trends from Around the Globe

Kercher, Vanessa M. (Martinez) Ph.D., M.Ed., FACSM, ACSM-EP, CHWC; Kercher, Kyle Ph.D., ACSM-EP, CPT, CSCS, PMP, CHWC; Levy, Paul MPH; Bennion, Trevor DHSc; Alexander, Chris ESSAM, AEP, AES; Amaral, Paulo Costa Ph.D., MBA, M.Sc.; Batrakoulis, Alexios Ph.D., M.S., ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT, ACSM-EIM; Chávez, Lino Francisco Jacobo Gómez Ph.D.; Cortés-Almanzar, Paola Ph.D.; Haro, Jorge López B.Sc., M.Sc.; Zavalza, Adrián Ricardo Pelayo M.S.; Rodríguez, Luis Eduardo Aguirre B.Sc.; Franco, Susana Ph.D.; Santos-Rocha, Rita Ph.D.; Ramalho, Fátima Ph.D.; Simões, Vera Ph.D.; Vieira, Isabel M.Sc.; Ramos, Liliana Ph.D.; Veiga, Oscar L. Ph.D., M.Sc.; Valcarce-Torrente, Manel Ph.D., M.Sc.; Romero-Caballero, Alejandro Ph.D. M.Sc

Author Information

Vanessa M. (Martinez) Kercher, Ph.D., M.Ed., FACSM, ACSM-EP, CHWC,is a clinical assistant professor in the Kinesiology Department, School of Public Health, Indiana University. Her research focuses on implementation of behavior change strategies and psychometric assessment related to improving psychological, behavioral, and physical health outcomes in clinical populations, corporate settings, and underrepresented faculty and students.

Kyle Kercher, Ph.D., ACSM-EP, CPT, CSCS, PMP, CHWC,is an assistant professor of Sport Management at Indiana University in the School of Public Health-Bloomington. Dr. Kercher's work focuses on changing the world by bridging the gap between public health, youth sport management, and exercise science. He has three primary concentrations: 1) lifestyle interventions using sport-based youth development and physical activity in underresourced populations to prevent cardiovascular disease risk factors; 2) diversity, equity, and inclusion; and 3) sport governance.

Paul Levy, MPH,is an environmental health researcher specializing in participatory action research that integrates community voice and cocreation. He has explored this topic through the lens of urban transformation, public health infrastructure, and environmental justice. His work integrates stakeholders across systems, including international collaborations to enhance Bogota's public transport system to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's grassroots water safety efforts across the United States.

Trevor Bennion, DHSc,is the founder offitnphys.com, and an instructor in ATSU's graduate Kinesiology program. Dr. Bennion's research involvement includes substrate oxidation and metabolic flexibility, with specific focus on the influence from sprint interval training.

Chris Alexander, ESSAM, AEP, AES,has been working in the fitness industry for more than 20 years. He currently is a general manager, Standards, and Development at not-for-profit association AUSactive; director for International Confederation of Registered Exercise Professionals; secretary to Australian Fitness Industry Standards Council and a practicing accredited exercise physiologist.

Paulo Costa Amaral, Ph.D., MBA, M.Sc.,is a doctor in Business Administration and master of science in Aging. He earned his Ph.D. in physical education and administration and is a graduate student in nutrition. Currently, he is a personal trainer, gym manager, professor in postgraduate courses of Physical Education and Administration, health/wellness coach, and a speaker in fitness, wellness, and gym management.

Alexios Batrakoulis, Ph.D., M.S., ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT, ACSM-EIM,is an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at the University of Thessaly in Trikala, Greece. He was named the 2018 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, 2019 IDEA China Fitness Innovator, 2020 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year, 2021 PFP Trainer of the Year, and 2022 ACSM Certified Professional of the Year. He is also the founder and director of the International Obesity Exercise Training Institute. For the fourth consecutive year, he has led the fitness trends survey in Europe.

Lino Francisco Jacobo Gómez Chávez, Ph.D.,is a research professor from the University Center of the Coast of the University of Guadalajara, Mexico. He is a member of the academic research group UDG-CA-1076-Determinants of Health. In recent years, he has developed an application of healthy lifestyles knowledge.

Paola Cortés-Almanzar, Ph.D.,is a research professor from the University Center of the Coast of the University of Guadalajara, Mexico, a member of the National System of Researchers, a member of the academic research group UDG-CA-1107-Culture, communication, and society. Her research focuses on health practices and consumption, from 2020 research on fitness trends in Mexico, particularly specializing in local summers.

Jorge López Haro, B.Sc., M.Sc.,is a professor in Physical Culture and Sports at the University Center of the Coast from University of Guadalajara, México. He has earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Physical Activity and Sports from the University of Seville, Spain, and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Innovation and Research in Physical Activity Science and Sport from the University of León, Spain. He is a collaborator of the academic research group UDG-CA-1076-Determinants of Health.

Adrián Ricardo Pelayo-Zavalza, M.S.,is a professor at the University Center of the Coast of the University of Guadalajara and has earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Culture and Sports and a master's degree in science for Development, Sustainability, and Tourism. In recent years, he has developed an application of healthy lifestyles knowledge. He is a collaborator of the academic research group UDG-CA-1076-Determinants of Health.

Luis Eduardo Aguirre-Rodríguez, B.Sc.,has a B.Sc. in Physical Culture and Sports and an M.S. from the University of Guadalajara. He has earned a diploma in scientific research and evaluation in high performance sports by the Autonomous University of Nuevo León and a Certificate in critical library science, search processes, selection and communication of scientific information from the University of Scheffield. He is a collaborator of the academic research group UDG-CA-1076-Determinants of Health.

Susana Franco, Ph.D.,is an associate professor at Sport Science School of Rio Maior (ESDRM), Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal. She is a fitness specialist and focuses on areas in fitness, body-mind, and exercise pedagogy, which has led to several publications that include articles, books, and chapters. She is a member of Life Quality Research Centre, and an editor for Apunts, a physical education and sport journal.

Rita Santos-Rocha, Ph.D.,is an associate professor at Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior (ESDRM), Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal. She is also a researcher at the Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance (CIPER) and faculty member of Human Kinetics (FMH) in the University of Lisbon. She is currently the vice-president of the Portuguese Association of Exercise Physiologists (APFE), a member of ACSM's Exercise is Medicine Education Committee, and a member of ACSM's Pregnancy and Postpartum Special interest Group.

Fátima Ramalho, Ph.D.,is an adjunct professor at Sport Science School of Rio Maior (ESDRM) - Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal. She is also a fitness specialist in strength group training, body-mind/Pilates, and personal training, specifically with a focus on assessment and exercise prescription. She has published several scientific articles, books, and chapters focused on exercise programs for elderly, pregnant, and postpartum women and postural conditioning. In addition, she is a researcher at the Centre for the Study of Human Performance.

Vera Simões, Ph.D.,is an adjunct professor in Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior - Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal. She is a member of Life Quality Research Centre and has published several scientific/technical articles, books, and book chapters with a focus on fitness and exercise pedagogy.

Isabel Vieira, M.Sc.,is a guest assistant professor at Sport Science School of Rio Maior, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal, and a teacher in the Fitness Academy. She is a Ph.D. student and member of the Life Quality Research Centre. She is also a fitness specialist in strength group training and choreographed group training with several publications focused on fitness and exercise.

Liliana Ramos, Ph.D.,is a guest adjunct professor at Sport Science School of Rio Maior (ESDRM) Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Portugal. She is a member of the Life Quality Research Centre and a fitness specialist in choreographed group training with several publications focused in fitness and exercise pedagogy.

Oscar L. Veiga, Ph.D., M.Sc.,is senior lecturer and researcher in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences at Autonomus University of Madrid (Spain), where his research focuses on physical activity and fitness for health in several populations. He also teaches about new trends in physical activity in bachelor studies and is the current director of the Spanish Survey on Fitness Trends.

Manel Valcarce-Torrente, Ph.D., M.Sc.,is a professor and researcher at Valencian International University (Spain) and CEO of Valgo Sport Consulting, a company dedicated to business consulting services in the sport and fitness sector. He participates in numerous master's degrees and postgraduate courses related to sports management and marketing.

Alejandro Romero-Caballero, Ph.D., M.Sc.,is a Sports Science researcher at Autonomous University of Madrid (Spain), where his research focuses on sports performance and physical activity for health. His professional experience is attributed to being a soccer coach and physical trainer.

Disclosure:The authors declare no conflict of interest and do not have any financial disclosures.

ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal 27(1):p 19-30, 1/2 2023. | DOI: 10.1249/FIT.0000000000000836

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION

ACSM's Global Survey of Fitness Trends brings together a collaboration of remarkable health and fitness professional leaders from seven regions to create a dynamic international team. Through this global collaboration, thousands of health and fitness professionals help our team identify each year's fitness trends from a global perspective to learn about similarities and differences that exist across the world. ACSM's global collaboration is about more than just identifying the fitness trends of each region each year (^1–4), it is a true testament of people across the world coming together to identify and celebrate the unique qualities that represent their culture. ACSM's Global Survey of Fitness Trends brings together a collaboration of remarkable health and fitness professional leaders from seven regions to create a dynamic international team.

During the last 3 years, in a time of global uncertainty, the value of ACSM's Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends (⁵) has never been more essential to better understand consumer behavior as a strategic approach into future fitness offerings to drive business growth within the health and fitness industry. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant influence on the health and fitness industry globally, including the significant economic impact felt in each country. Public health professionals across the world recognize the value in assessing health and fitness trends annually as one approach to guide future programming efforts. For this reason, several countries and regions have independently sought to use ACSM's worldwide survey to investigate their own fitness trends (^6–10).

In this edition, six regions from last year's article (^1,6,7) and one new region contributed to the survey results to provide a global representation of the health and fitness trends including Australia, Brazil, Europe, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, and the United States. China was not able to participate in the trends survey this year because of a COVID-19 outbreak, with strict lockdowns occurring during the survey period. China hopes to participate again next year. For the fifth consecutive year (^1–4), we value the individuality of each country and region by providing evidence of popular health and fitness programming that is identifiable to each region, and then make some comparisons. We believe that by distilling the survey results down and gathering substantial insight from representatives in those regions, we are providing industry stakeholders with a strategic advantage into future fitness offerings that may drive business growth.

For each country, the results of the fitness trends survey help fitness business operators, directors, owners, universities, professors, digital influencers, health professionals (e.g., physical education professionals, physiotherapists, dieticians, physicians), manufacturers of fitness and wellness equipment and products, and industry stakeholders enhance customer engagement by offering safe and positive experiences.

THE SURVEYS

All surveys were conducted electronically using either SurveyMonkey or Google forms. The survey was distributed to health and fitness professionals through email and social media networks (see Supplement Table 1, https://links.lww.com/FIT/A280) ranging from 4 to 11 weeks.

All regions used a critical mass of the 42 trends within ACSM's Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends (¹¹); however, each country also took liberties to distinguish key differences (Supplemental Table 1, https://links.lww.com/FIT/A280, for details). The Brazil, Europe, and Portugal surveys were the most comparable to ACSM's Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends (¹¹), whereas the Mexico and Spain surveys had the most differences in potential trends (Supplement Table 1, https://links.lww.com/FIT/A280).

All regions collected responses using a 10-point Likert scale ranging from highest (10 = most popular trend) to lowest (1 = least popular trend) for each potential trend option and sorted them to identify the top 20 fitness trends (¹¹). At the end of the survey, an opportunity was provided for respondents to include possible nonlisted fitness trends to be considered for future research.

SURVEY RESULTS

Each region's representative contributed to this article and provided insightful observations regarding his or her individual results. Topics included major takeaways and points to ponder from the top 20 trend results, and unique country features compared with the United States results. The top 20 most popular fitness trends for Australia, Brazil, Europe, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, and the United States can be found in Supplement Table 2, https://links.lww.com/FIT/A289. For this edition, we highlight the top 10 trends (Table 1), as well as the top five trends during the last 3 years for each individual region (Tables 2–8). By identifying the top five for each country during the last 3 years, we were able to highlight some important similarities and differences unique to each country (^1–3). Lastly, we raise thought-provoking questions for health and fitness professionals to ponder as they read these unique lists.

TABLE 1:
Top 10 Global Fitness Trend Results for 2023

TABLE 2:
Top Five Global Trends for Australia

TABLE 3:
Top Five Global Trends for Brazil

TABLE 4:
Top Five Global Trends for Europe

TABLE 5:
Top Five Global Trends for Mexico

TABLE 6:
Top Five Global Trends for Portugal

TABLE 7:
Top Five Global Trends for Spain

TABLE 8:
Top Five Global Trends for the United States

Australia

Demographic information from Australia (N = 410) can be found here (SDC 2, https://links.lww.com/FIT/A281).

For the third consecutive year, Chris Alexander, ESSAM, AEP, AES, led the investigation of the 2023 fitness trends in Australia (^1,2). Three major takeaways include:

As the average age of the population continues to grow in Australia, so does the recognition for fitness services to support their health and welfare. As such, industry professionals identified fitness programs for older adults as the number one anticipated trend for 2023.
Improving balance, coordination, strength, and endurance to benefit activities of daily living via functional fitness training (#2) continues to be very popular in Australia (this trend was #1 last year).
Strength training with free weights (#3) has remained a hot trend for the past 3 years. During the past 2 years, Australians have depleted the equipment supplies from stores because they have needed to continue to use this equipment in their homes.

POINTS TO PONDER:

Pilates (#7) and yoga (#15) improved significantly in this year's trends compared with last year (¹). Could this be related to a growing emphasis on mindfulness or self-care–based fitness practices as people return to greater normalcy in their routines compared with 2020 and 2021?
Wearable technology was only #6 in Australia compared with #1 in the United States, and exercise mobile apps did not crack the top 20 in Australia like it did in the United States. Although popular, could this lower popularity of tech-based trends signal greater opportunities for nontech fitness services in Australia in 2023?

Brazil

Demographic information from Brazil (N = 985) can be found here (SDC 3, https://links.lww.com/FIT/A282).

For the fourth consecutive year, Paulo Costa Amaral, Ph.D., MBA, M.Sc., led the trends survey in Brazil (^1–3). Three major takeaways include:

Personal training services continue to be a main activity of fitness and wellness professionals, and it is the largest source of income compared with other fitness services provided. It is up to professionals to improve services with training methodologies (including outcome measurements in all physical capacities), create business strategies (think like a company, with a business plan), and connect on social networks through digital marketing and sales.
Older adults were greatly affected by the pandemic both physically and socially. Fitness programs for older adults remains a popular trend for 2023 (#3) and points to a promising strategy for health and fitness professionals with the ability to create programs targeting physical activity and socialization.
There also is a demand for physical activities that can be performed with body weight or accessories in any environment. In this sense, it is recommended that all professionals in the sector consider creating strategies to develop training programs to serve people in gyms, at home, in the office, in-person, or online.

POINTS TO PONDER:

Despite there being many similarities between the Brazil and United States trends (16 trends are in both regions), key differences between the regions exist. The four trends in the Brazilian top 20, but not in the United States, were online personal training, small-group personal training, outcome measurements, and postrehabilitation classes. Could this point to a promising opportunity in Brazil to focus on improved personal training services with the inclusion of added personal assistance and online offerings?
A key difference between the rankings for Brazil and the United States was that wearable technology was #1 in the United States but #19 in Brazil. This may be partly because of the high cost of wearable technology. Could this present an opportunity for practitioners in Brazil to stand out from their competition by providing creative or cutting-edge services incorporating wearable technology into health and fitness programming?

Europe

Demographic information from Europe (N = 1,626) can be found here (SDC 4, https://links.lww.com/FIT/A283). This region included responses from 39 European countries.

For the fourth consecutive year, Alexios Batrakoulis, Ph.D., M.S., ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT, ACSM-EIM, led the fitness trends survey in Europe (^1–3,9). Three major takeaways from this year's survey include:

In Europe, digital services, technology-oriented trends, and fitness activities that take place outside the traditional gym setting seem not as popular compared with the past year, where the digital transformation in the fitness industry was impressive.
Health-oriented trends, particularly exercise for health and special populations, are still attractive, comprising 5 of the top 20 trends.
Boutique fitness studios (#7, up from #20 last year) seem to be a popular fitness setting in Europe, offering fitness services primarily focused on other current top trends such as body weight training (#1), personal training (#3), functional training (#5), high-intensity functional training (#13), small-group training (#14), Pilates (#19), and group exercise training (#20).

POINTS TO PONDER:

Interestingly, a total of 15 of the top 20 trends were shared among Europe and the United States. Despite these similarities, boutique fitness studios that mainly offer services based on functional training, small-group training, and Pilates training programs are popular in Europe, but not in the United States. Could these small-group, in-person services present a promising opportunity for fitness professionals in Europe to create and promote programming for 2023?
Online-oriented trends and digital services declined in both Europe and the United States for 2023, highlighting a potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the status of the health and fitness industry. Does this point to promising opportunities for fitness professionals to develop engaging in-person programming and content for their customers in 2023?

Mexico

Demographic information from Mexico (N = 1,538) can be found here (SDC 5, https://links.lww.com/FIT/A284).

Lino Francisco Jacobo Gómez Chávez, Ph.D., and his colleagues led the 2023 fitness trends survey (^1–3). Some of the major takeaways from this year's survey include:

Exercise for weight loss (#1) remains the primary driver of fitness trends in Mexico for three consecutive years.
Exercise for weight loss, personal training, and functional fitness training return in the top three poll positions for the third consecutive year (2021–2023).
Three trends (specific training for a sport, prevention/functional readaptation of lesions, and recruitment of graduates in physical activity or related careers) are completely unique to Mexico and have no overlap with the top 10 trends in any other regions.

POINTS TO PONDER:

Has a cultural shift in health/well-being resulted in “recruitment of graduates in physical activity or related careers” making the leap into the top 10 trends (#10) after never cracking the top 20 within the past 3 years? What has caused this sudden interest in physical activity or health-related careers?
Consistency meets trend evolution! Mexico's top 10 trends in 2023 are repeats of the top three for 2021 and 2022 (exercise for weight loss, personal training, and functional fitness training) along with three new trends completely unique to Mexico (specific training for a sport, prevention/functional readaptation of lesions, and recruitment of graduates in physical activity or related careers). The old guard meets the new, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the years to come.

Portugal

Demographic information from Portugal (N = 507) can be found here (SDC 6, https://links.lww.com/FIT/A285).

Although this is Portugal's first official submission to the Global ACSM trends, the Portuguese fitness trends survey has been distributed for 3 years (^6,7). Susana Franco, Ph.D., and her colleagues led the 2023 fitness trends survey (^6,7). Some of the major takeaways from this year's survey include:

Licensure for fitness professionals and employing certified fitness professionals have remained the top trends for three consecutive years.
The top five trends have remained the same for three consecutive years, and the top 10 results have remained largely consistent, highlighting the staying power of these trends.
Potentially because of the high rate of obesity in Portugal, many of the top fitness trends can be targeted at improving obesity (e.g., personal training, exercise for weight loss, lifestyle medicine, health/well-being coaching, Exercise is Medicine).

POINTS TO PONDER:

Consistent rankings of personal training and weight loss management may highlight a preference to deploy targeted strategies to address obesity. Are there preferred training techniques personal trainers use to target weight loss management?
The trends exercise for weight loss, lifestyle medicine, health/well-being coaching, and Exercise is Medicine occupy the #4, #5, #6, and #7 position of the trends, respectively, which may be because of the high rate of obesity experienced by Portuguese residents. Are these the preferred approaches to addressing obesity?

Spain

Demographic information from Spain (N = 506) can be found here (SDC 7, https://links.lww.com/FIT/A286).

Oscar L. Veiga, Ph.D., M.Sc., and his colleagues led the investigation of the 2023 fitness trends in Spain for the third consecutive year (^1–3). Some of the major takeaways include:

Exercise is Medicine (#20) hits the top 20 trends for the first time. It's never appeared in the top 20 in previous Spanish surveys; however, this trend has remained a top 20 trend in other worldwide surveys since 2017.
Wearable technology (#21) may not be a popular hit in Spain and is remarkably lower than its usual position in worldwide surveys (three first positions since 2016), displaying again its lack of popularity in Spain.
Outdoor activities dropped to the 10th position (after its increase in 2021 and 2022 surveys) potentially because of relaxed pandemic-related preventive health measures and social distancing.

POINTS TO PONDER:

Online fitness activities (#37) and wearable technology (#21) are not prioritized among Spanish respondents—could this display a tendency for fitness professionals in Spain to be a bit tech averse relative to other regions?
Personal training in small groups, multidisciplinary work teams, and personal training all fall within the top 10, potentially demonstrating a preference for one-on-one engagement in this postpandemic era. Is Spain primed for a year of personal training and group fitness engagement with the community?

United States

Respondents who completed the worldwide survey were included in this assessment (N = 3,735). Only respondents residing in the United States and who completed the survey were included in the assessment (N = 2,936). Demographic information from the United States can be found here (SDC 8, https://links.lww.com/FIT/A287).

A few trends to highlight in the 2023 top 20 fitness trends for the United States include:

Wearable technology (#1), strength training with free weights (#2), and outdoor activities (#5) remain within the top five fitness trends, whereas home exercise gyms reveal a downward trend (#13, compared with #2 last year).
Body weight training (#3, up from #9 last year), fitness programing for older adults (#4, up from #11 last year), and functional fitness training (#6, up from #15 last year) seem to be back on top of the trend's leaderboard. In addition, core training (#11, compared with #22 last year) and circuit training (#12, compared with #25 last year) make a comeback appearance after being off the top 20 trends during the last 3 years (^1–3).
Multiple online-based trends declined for 2023 compared with 2022: online live and on-demand exercise (#21, down from #7 last year), online personal training (#26, down from #17 last year), and mobile exercise apps (#19, down from #12 last year). In addition, a modified and new trend created this year, virtual reality exercise training, came in at #41, whereas in the middle of the pandemic (2021), online training and virtual training were popular trends (#1 and #6, respectively).

POINTS TO PONDER:

Online-related services take a downward trend spiral, which is in line with the impact of the pandemic during the last 3 years. Through the last 3 years, we have seen trends skyrocket to the top to support people at home while gyms remained closed and health and safety was a concern. However, there are a few remaining pandemic trends sticking around. A big question for health and fitness professionals is how do fitness professionals and facilities implement a hybrid model that integrates facility-based training with outdoor and home opportunities and technology?
Online-related services take a downward trend spiral, which is in line with the impact of the pandemic during the last 3 years.
Let's Get Functional! Functional! A recurring theme that we could not ignore across regions is taking a functional approach to fitness. Functional fitness remains consistently in the top 10 trends for all countries except for Portugal (#11 this year). Australia (#2), Mexico (#2), and Spain (#1) consistently report functional fitness as a top trend, whereas this trend makes its way to the top for Brazil (#4, compared with #9 last year), Europe (#5, compared with #10 last year), and the United States (#6, an increase compared with #14 and #15 in previous years). Where did this functional focus come from, and how will health and fitness professionals support functional fitness?
A recurring theme that we could not ignore across regions is taking a functional approach to fitness.

LIMITATIONS

As rich as the data are from each region, there are several survey limitations to note. First, readers should use caution in assuming that trends in one region are representative of other regions. Please refer to Supplemental Table 1, https://links.lww.com/FIT/A280 and Table 1, which highlight several differences and similarities represented within each region. In addition, because most regions identified at least some trends unique to them, we were unable to explore true region-by-region comparisons for this year and previous years. Because the number of potential trends we explored ranged from 42 to 50 trends this year, the time it takes to complete the survey, and thus the quality and the total number of completed responses, is a limitation of the survey. Lastly and most importantly, this survey is sent to health and fitness professionals within the industry across different countries rather than the general population. Therefore, it is essential that the readers of this article understand that respondents represent fitness trends that are supported by health and fitness professionals within the field rather than consumers.

SUMMARY

We are extremely thankful to work with each country to provide a global representation of ACSM's fitness trends and encourage other countries to participate in this annual survey as a means to gain a more accurate representation of the top 20 fitness trends around the world. The hope is to continue to expand this global partnership to make yearly improvements and progress on the survey design, methodology, and implementation. ACSM and our international contributors have a tremendous opportunity to continue leading the way in this evolving international collaboration, which is well positioned to have a continuously positive impact on the worldwide health fitness industry.

BRIDGING THE GAP

The results from ACSM's Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends guide the health and fitness industry in making critical programming, resource, and investment decisions. These results are applicable not only to commercial, clinical, corporate, and community fitness programs worldwide, but also provide unique regional preferences. Although the prediction of future trends for each region is difficult, the data captured in these surveys provide health and fitness professionals with information to track and compare the trajectory of trends around the world.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express a big thank you to Managing Editor Lori Tish for providing all materials needed to complete this article and for her endless support throughout the entire process associated with ACSM's Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends. Without Lori, this article would not be possible. A big thanks to Editor-in-Chief Brad A. Roy, Ph.D., FACSM, and Associate Editor-in-Chief Paul M. Gallo, Ed.D., FACSM, and ACSM's Past President Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, for encouraging a global partnership to recognize and compare fitness trends with our international collaborators. A very special thanks to the authors and team members who contributed to this global trends article that we continue to strive to improve.

References

1. Kercher VM, Kercher KK, Bennion T, et al. 2022 fitness trends from around the globe. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2021;26(1):21–37.

2. Kercher VM, Kercher KK, Bennion T, et al. Fitness trends from around the globe. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2020;25(1):20–31.

3. Kercher VM, Feito Y, Yates B. Regional comparisons: the worldwide survey of fitness trends. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2019;23(6):41–8.

4. Kercher VM. International comparisons: ACSM's worldwide survey of fitness trends. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2018;22(6):24–9.

5. Thompson WR. Worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2022. ACSMs Health Fitness J. 2022;26(1):11–20.

6. Franco S, Santos-Rocha R, Ramalho F, Simões V, Vieira I, Ramos L. Fitness trends in Portugal for 2022. Motricidade. 2022;18(1).

7. Franco S, Santos-Rocha R, Ramalho F, Simões Vieira I, Ramos L. Fitness trends in Portugal for 2021. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte. 2021;21(2):242–58.

8. Batrakoulis A. European survey of fitness trends for 2020. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2019;23(6):19–27.

9. Amaral PC, Palma DD. Brazil and Argentina survey of fitness trends for 2020. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2019;23(6):36–40.

10. Veiga OL, Valcarce M, King A. National survey of fitness trends in Spain for 2017. Apunts Educacio Fisica I Esports. 2017;128(2):108–25.

11. Thompson WR. Worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2023. ACSMs Health Fitness J. 2023;27(1):9–18.

Keywords:

Regional; Commercial; Corporate; Community; Trends

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2023 Fitness Trends from Around the Globe

Abstract

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INTRODUCTION

THE SURVEYS