From Dead Hangs to Vibration Plates: The Biggest Fitness Trends Set to Dominate 2026
With the New Year approaching, it’s the perfect time of year to look back at the trends that have defined the fitness industry over the past 12 months and see which ones will shape exercise routines going into 2026. PureGym’s annual Fitness Report has once more dived into global search data to predict the top trends going in 2026.
The analysis compares the current three-month rolling average of global Google searches for more than 250 fitness trends, both emerging and established, to the same period one year ago. This year’s results capture a clear shift back to basics, with lower-impact, more accessible forms of movement centered around things like walking and mobility taking centre stage.
Japanese walking takes the top spot as fastest growing trend for 2026, with year-on-year interest up by our largest figure in recent years – a massive 2,968%. The trend, rooted in a 2007 Japanese study comparing intervals of fast and slow walking, went viral on TikTok earlier this year, and has seemingly maintained its momentum ever since. The dominance of walking-led trends continues with walking yoga in second place (+2,414%) and incline walking also appearing in the top 20 (+50%).
Walking is suitable for all levels and free, making it an accessible way to move consistently. And with a study from earlier this year showing meaningful health benefits from just 7,000 steps a day rather than the well-known 10,000, it’s a great way for anyone to improve their health. However, Phil Carpenter, Personal Trainer and Assistant General Manager at PureGym Portsmouth explains that becoming too reliant on metrics like step counts can lead to an unhealthy obsession with numbers. He says: “Step counts can be a helpful way of tracking your fitness goals, but you should try not to hold yourself to them. Unless you are on a very regimented training plan for an event or competition, you should always avoid chasing numbers
“Progress comes from finding movement in your day to day, whether it’s 7,000 steps, 10,000 steps – or just finding ways to be active in a way that suits your routine and lifestyle, and trying new workout trends such as Japanese walking could be the push you need to get going. It really is back to basics, finding simple ways like walking more in order to become fitter and healthier.”
A lot of this year’s top trends show that people are working towards improving their movement quality and reversing the impact of sedentary lifestyles. The plank hover completes the top three (+967%), while Nord Pilates ranks in fourth (+750%) with the dead hang exercise (9th, +128%), mobility flow (12th, +90%) and hot reformer Pilates (17th, +53%) all placing in the top 20. All of these activities target the core, as well as improving balance and stability, which will undo many of the physical impacts of desk-based jobs and prolonged time spent sitting.
Numerous events also feature within the top 20, with Hyrox ranking in 8th place (+171%) and ultra marathon plans ranking in 18th (+50%), closely followed by 5k training plans in 19th (+50%), highlighting how people may be looking to embark on physical challenges in 2026, and push their boundaries further than before. Challenges also prove popular, with 75 medium and 75 hotter placing in 10th and 11th places respectively; many fitness enthusiasts finding these helpful for re-igniting their workout routines and providing a short term goal to work towards.
The 20 Fitness Trends with the Highest Growth in Interest For 2026
| Rank | Trend | % Increase (Jul-Sept 2024 vs. Jul-Sept 2025) |
| 1 | Japanese walking | +2,968% |
| 2 | Walking yoga | +2,414% |
| 3 | Plank hover | +967% |
| 4 | Nord Pilates | +750% |
| 5 | 10-20-30 method | +467% |
| 6 | Bridal arm workout | +296% |
| 7 | Virtual fitness challenges | +177% |
| 8 | Hyrox | +171% |
| 9 | Dead hang exercise | +128% |
| 10 | 75 medium | +125% |
| 11 | 75 hotter | +108% |
| 12 | Mobility flow | +90% |
| 13 | Online fitness program | +89% |
| 14 | Virtual fitness classes | +85% |
| 15 | Vibration plate workout | +83% |
| 16 | Indoor rowing | +83% |
| 17 | Hot reformer Pilates | +53% |
| 18 | Ultra marathon training plan | +50% |
| 19 | 5k training plan | +50% |
| 20 | Incline walk | +50% |
This is the fifth iteration of PureGym’s top trends research, and one thing is continuously clear: while microtrends come and go, the core trends behind them (such as running, Pilates, strengthening your core, or improving mobility) stay firmly put.
This volatility is particularly clear among the fitness trends on their way out ahead of 2026. Wall Pilates, 2024’s top trend, has dropped by a further 63%, while remote personal training has fallen even further at 81% after leading in 2025. Although virtual classes, online fitness programs and virtual fitness challenges still appear among the top trends, the drop in remote personal training hints at a reignited desire for more hands-on, face-to-face coaching.
The 10 Fitness Trends on Their Way Out For 2026
| Rank | Trend | % Decrease (Jul-Sept 2024 vs. Jul-Sept 2025) |
| 1 | 4-2-1 workout | -87% |
| 2 | Remote personal training | -81% |
| 3 | Cozy cardio | -76% |
| 4 | Wall Pilates | -63% |
| 5 | Soft hiking | -58% |
| 6 | Weighted vest workout | -56% |
| 7 | Twerking class | -56% |
| 8 | Neuro fitness | -56% |
| 9 | Boutique fitness | -56% |
| 10 | 28-day wall Pilates challenge | -56% |
James Gauduchon, Group Marketing Director at PureGym commented: “It’s always interesting to look at emerging trends in the fitness industry and see what is capturing people’s attention. It’s amazing to see so many new trends pop up all the time however, and in our opinion, the more the merrier. Anything that gets people off the sofa and finding more movement in their lives is good in our book.
“This year, we’re seeing is a shift away from super high-intensity workouts, towards softer versions of fitness that put less pressure on us to be perfect and consider the changing needs of our bodies and our schedules. These kind of activities are sustainable and flexible, making it easier for people to stay consistent over time“
For the full fitness report, which alongside more information on 2026’s emerging fitness trends, includes insights around people’s current attitudes towards health and fitness, as well as up-to-date gym usage statistics, visit: https://www.puregym.com/blog/uk-fitness-report-gym-statistics/
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