January traditionally sees a huge uptake in gym memberships as we vow to start the new year as better physical specimens than we finished the last one. In 2025, 66% of Brits who made resolutions chose to focus on physical health, and approximately 96 million people in the US stated their intention to improve their health and fitness.
Last year saw a switch from the previously all-conquering high intensity interval training (HIIT) and wellness coaching towards strength training and functional exercise, primarily driven by interest amongst millennials and Gen Zs, who make up most of the gym membership base. Fitness apps also continued to penetrate as predicted with predominantly younger females accounting for around a billion downloads last year.
So if you’ve decided 2026 is the year you finally get in shape, here are the hottest workouts to help you to get there.
Discover our full range of health benefit guides and find out what to eat for a workout and the best fitness trackers for exercise lovers. Plus, browse our energy-boosting breakfast recipes and discover how to winter-proof your workout.
1. Reformer pilates
Becoming known as the workout favoured by the likes of Kendall Jenner, David Beckham and Lady Gaga, reformer pilates has been around for a few years but is expected to continue its rise, with the global market predicted to grow to over $1 billion by 2032.
Using a range of gentle, flowing exercises performed on what initially looks like a torture device (think of a movable frame with straps and springs attached), each session blends support and challenge to sculpt your muscles, strengthen your posture and deepen your mind-body connection, one repetition at a time. The good news is you work at your own level, selecting the resistance, speed and range of movement to suit your capability.
2. Japanese walking
As the interest in joint-pounding, high-intensity workouts has abated, the shift towards more sustainable, low-impact exercise is now front and centre, with one report suggesting interest in Japanese walking is up nearly 3,000%. The sessions are 30 minutes long and simply alternate intervals of 3 minutes brisk walking followed by 3 minutes at a slow pace, with research showing it aids weight management and leads to significant improvements in cardiovascular health. Accessibility is the key feature here – you don’t need any fancy equipment and you can do it just about anywhere, so forget scrolling and start strolling.
3. Social fitness
According to a recent industry report, 73% of gym goers say community plays a vital role in keeping them motivated, leading to the notion that members join for health, but stay for connection. Leading gym brands are creating signature workouts that not only satisfy the human need for social interaction but also promise to deliver results, while having fun along the way.
4. Fitness events
Linked to this is the development of fitness ‘events’, which started with outdoor obstacle races such as Tough Mudder and Spartan. A movement towards including more functional strength training led to Crossfit, but we’re now very much in the era of hybrid training, with HYROX leading the global charge, reflected in the 135,000 Google searches per month this year.
After launching in Germany in 2017, HYROX quickly established itself as the fastest growing fitness sport in the world, with races now staged in 11 countries, hosted by more than 30 major cities. There is now a growing number of gyms offering training sessions based on the nine disciplines that feature in the event, perfect if you like pitting yourself against others, but you don’t have to be a competitor to join in as this is a guaranteed route to improving your all-round fitness.
5. Longevity training
If there truly exists an elixir of life, there’s a growing amount of scientific evidence to suggest that it’s exercise. Remaining active as we age can make a significant contribution towards maintaining independence and gaining maximum enjoyment in our later years. Many of the ailments once associated with ageing are now recognised as being due to lack of exercise with our genes only responsible for around 25% of the variation in lifespan, the main contributor being lifestyle. Strength training will counter the natural loss of muscle and bone tissue associated with changing hormone levels, as well as improve insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of diabetes. So, whether at the gym or at home, working with weights, bands or weighted balls is a must. Somewhat surprisingly, when it comes to cardio, short bursts of high intensity offer the greatest benefits, ideally on the bike, the rower or in the pool to avoid the joint impact associated with running while still enhancing your ‘healthspan’.
6. Zone 2 training
Also known as ‘base training’ or ‘low-intensity steady-state training (LISS)’ the aim here is to maintain your heart rate at 60-70% of your maximum effort. At this intensity your body will favour burning fat over carbohydrates, plus your aerobic fitness will improve. One of the key benefits, however, is the increase in number and efficiency of your mitochondria (the ‘energy packs’ within our cells), which means you’ll also be better equipped to handle more intense bursts of energy when you need to. The good news is that, at this intensity level, you should be able to hold a conversation with your training partner.
7. Exercise for mobility
Partly driven by the ageing demographic but also recognised as a valuable preventive health tool, there’s a growing interest in holistic movement. From those of us who just wish to stand up from the couch without groaning, to the keenest of gym bunnies looking to set a new personal best on the squat rack, the importance of a good pain-free range of motion is finally being recognised. Various forms of ‘flow’ class are appearing on studio timetables and what was once considered an add-on extra is now central to a consummate health and fitness plan. Along with weights stations and cardio machines, most gyms’ equipment inventory will now include foam rollers, power bands and percussion therapy guns, all helping to improve your flexibility. Exercise doesn’t always have to be something you do TO your body, this is about doing something FOR your body.
8. Exercise for mental health
Whilst many still exercise with aesthetics as the primary goal, an expanding cohort are now embracing mindful exercise as a strategy to manage stress relief, improve mood and build resilience. Surprisingly, one study revealed this is more pronounced in the younger demographic groups, with 42% of millennials and Gen Zs placing mindfulness as high priority, compared to only 29% of baby boomers. Moving away from traditional tactics to improve mental health, such as talk therapy, today’s market focuses on exercise as well as sleep hygiene, socialising and various forms of meditation, from an ultra-relaxing sound bath to a more active nature walk. With a growing body of research to support the benefits of tai chi, it’s worth considering joining the 300 million around the globe who already practice regularly. Allow yourself to enjoy taking it easy.
9. Yoga variations
You’ll no doubt already be aware of – and maybe even have tried – the more dynamic Ashtanga or Vinyasa, the more gentle Yin or Kundalini, and the experimental stand-up paddle board and Bikram hot yoga. If you’re the adventurous type, the good news is there are a few more flavours currently gaining popularity and possibly heading for a studio near you soon. Rocket Yoga is pacey, usually performed to upbeat music and features inversions, helping to develop upper body strength. Strong Yoga marries ancient poses with 21st century resistance training techniques, adding weights to your warriors to accelerate the toning effects. AI Yoga uses machine learning to analyse your movement and then creates sessions designed specifically for you. Reformer Y fuses the integrity of modern yoga with the intelligent, spring-loaded resistance of the reformer… But if you’re really looking for something different, could Naked Yoga be your new hobby?
10. Optimising recovery
This is the fastest growing segment of the fitness industry, with a current value of around $8 billion, forecast to increase to a staggering $24 billion over the next 10 years. In a gym near you, very soon, you can expect to see facilities that will enable you to take advantage of the latest scientific research into how to optimise your workouts by focusing on the downtime in between. Look out for tools, chairs, beds and even whole rooms that deliver red light, massage, cryo, compression and hyperbaric oxygen therapies. Adequate recovery will not only enable you to derive maximum benefit from your exercise routine but also reduces your risk of injury and promote a general feeling of wellbeing that will help to keep you in a positive mindset as you progress along your fitness journey. Rest, reset and repeat!
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