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Fitness Trends From Around the Globe

Article in ACSMʼs Health & Fitness Journal · January 2021

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 Fitness Trends From Around the Globe
by Vanessa Marie Kercher, Ph.D., M.Ed., ACSM-EP; Kyle Kercher, M.S., ACSM-EP, CPT, CSCS, PMP, CHWC;
Trevor Bennion, DHSc; Brandon A. Yates, M.S., CSCS; Yuri Feito, Ph.D., MPH, ACSM-CEP, FACSM;
Chris Alexander, ESSAM, AEP, AES; Paulo Costa Amaral, Ph.D., MBA, M.Sc; Waldyr Soares;
Yong-Ming Li, Ph.D.; Jia Han, Ph.D.; Yang Liu, Ph.D.; Ran Wang, Ph.D.; Hai-Yan Huang, Ph.D.;
Bing-Hong Gao, Ph.D.; Alexios Batrakoulis, M.S., ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT, CSCS, CSPS, NSCA-CPT;
Downloaded from https://journals.lww.com/acsm-healthfitness by BhDMf5ePHKav1zEoum1tQfN4a+kJLhEZgbsIHo4XMi0hCywCX1AWnYQp/IlQrHD3i3D0OdRyi7TvSFl4Cf3VC1y0abggQZXdtwnfKZBYtws= on 08/04/2021

Francisco Gómez Chávez, Ph.D.; Jorge López Haro, B.Sc., M.Sc.; Adrián Ricardo Pelayo Zavalza;
Luis Eduardo Aguirre Rodríguez; Oscar L. Veiga, Ph.D.;
Manel Valcarce-Torrente, Ph.D.; and Miguel Á. De la Cámara, Ph.D.

INTRODUCTION

I
nternational awareness of the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM’s)
Apply It! Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends has exponentially increased since its incep-
tion 15 years ago (1–13). Practitioners across the world recognize the value in
From this article, the reader should
assessing health and fitness trends annually as one approach to guide future pro-
be able to do the following:
gramming efforts. For this reason, several countries and regions have indepen-
 Identify top 20 fitness trends for
dently sought to utilize ACSM’s worldwide survey to investigate their own fitness
Australia, Brazil, China, Europe,
trends. In this edition, Australia and Mexico contribute survey results for the first time,
Mexico, Spain, and the United
alongside well-established relationships in Brazil, China, Europe, and Spain, which pro-
States
vide a more global representation of health and fitness trends. For the third consecutive
 Recognize individual and unique
year (7,8), we intend to support the individuality of each country and region by providing
fitness trends represented
evidence of popular health and fitness programming that is identifiable to each region and
within Australia, Brazil, China,
then make some comparisons. We believe that by distilling the survey results down and
Europe, Mexico, Spain, and
gathering substantial insight from representatives in those regions, we are providing indus-
the United States
try stakeholders with a strategic advantage into future fitness offerings which may drive
Key words: Regional, Commercial, growth in their business.
Corporate, Community, Trends

20 ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal ® January/February 2021

Copyright © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

Practitioners across the world recognize the
value in assessing health and fitness trends
annually as one approach to guide future
programming efforts.
It is noteworthy to highlight the effects the COVID-19 pan-
demic has had on the health and fitness industry globally, in-
cluding the significant economic impact felt by the industry.
The pandemic has accelerated health and fitness consumer ac-
tivity (e.g., the home market) in some respects, yet slowed it down
in others (i.e., commercial health clubs). ACSM’s 2021 World-
wide Survey of Fitness Trends (9), and comparisons, will be vital
in the health and fitness industry for the year ahead. As the fit-
ness industry continues to navigate the pandemic, these trends
are certain to evolve. During this time of global uncertainty,
clinical and commercial health and fitness programs should re-
commit themselves to understanding consumer behavior and
create a multifaceted strategy.
THE SURVEYS
All surveys were conducted electronically using either SurveyMonkey
or Google forms. The survey was distributed to health and fit-
ness professionals through e-mail and social media networks
(see Table 1) ranging from 3 to 21 weeks.
All 41 trends from the worldwide survey were used in the
Brazil, Europe, and the United States surveys (see Table 1).
The surveys in Australia, China, Mexico, and Spain used many
but not all of the potential 41 trends from ACSM’s worldwide
survey (9,10) (see Table 1 for details).
The Australia and Europe surveys were the most comparable
with ACSM’s Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends (9) with
minor alterations, whereas the Mexico survey had the most
differences in potential trends (see Table 1). More specifically,
the following trends from the worldwide survey were removed
for each country:
• Australia removed the trend licensure for fitness professionals.
Distilling the survey results down and gathering
substantial insight from representatives in
various global regions provides industry
stakeholders with a strategic advantage into
future fitness offerings which may drive
business growth.
Volume 25 | Number 1
Copyright © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
• China removed pre-and postnatal fitness, long-term youth
development, fitness programs for older adults, and chil-
dren and exercise.
• Mexico removed the trends online training; outcome
measurements; small group personal training; children
and exercise; long-term youth development (long-term
athletic development); worker incentive programs;
walking/running/jogging/cycling clubs; mind–body
movement; Pilates; low-cost and budget gyms; boot camp
style; boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts (MMA);
aquatic exercise; and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS)
training.
• Spain removed the trends virtual training; clinical integration/
medical fitness; long-term youth development; worker incen-
tive programs; mind–body movement; boot camp style;
dance-based workouts; boxing, kickboxing, and MMA;
aquatic exercise; and EMS training (see Table 1).
During this time of global uncertainty, clinical
and commercial health and fitness programs
should recommit themselves to understanding
consumer behavior and create a multifaceted
strategy.
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 (9). At the end
of the survey, an opportunity was provided for respondents to
include possible nonlisted fitness trends to be considered for fu-
ture research.
SURVEY RESULTS
Each region’s representative contributed to this article and
provided insightful observations regarding their individual
results. Topics included major takeaways from the top 20
trend results, unique country features compared with ACSM’s
Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends, and the primary chal-
lenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic faced by the
health and fitness industry in their region of the world. The
top 20 most popular fitness trends for Australia, Brazil, China,
Europe, Mexico, Spain, and the United States can be found
in Table 2. We also highlighted health and fitness trends by
global ranking to showcase the top 5 popular trends from each
region (Figure).
Australia
Demographics information from Australia (N = 536) can be
found here (http://links.lww.com/FIT/A149).
www.acsm-healthfitness.org 21
FITNESS TRENDS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
TABLE 1: 2021 International Fitness Trend Survey Methodology
Country Trends
Australia Total of 42 trends: 40 from
worldwide survey and
2 unique to Australia; survey
deleted one potential trend
from worldwide survey.
Brazil Total of 41 trends; identical to
the worldwide survey
China Total of 45 trends: 37 from
the worldwide survey and
8 unique to China; survey
deleted four potential trends
from worldwide survey.
Europe Total of 41 trends; identical to
the worldwide survey
22 ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal ®
Copyright © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Response
Additional Trends Survey Duration/Distribution Rate
1) Inclusive fitness centers Electronic survey from June 10 to N = 536
2) Quality accredited business August 7, 2020 (8 weeks) (not
disseminated through Fitness reported)
Australia networks including,
exercise professionals,
businesses, educators, students,
and suppliers via email and
social network platforms
None Electronic survey from March 30 N = 850
to August 23, 2020 (21 weeks), (not
sent to professionals within the reported)
fitness and wellness industry and
physical education
1) Healthy diet Electronic survey from August 1 to N=
2) Certified education for fitness and 31, 2020 (4 weeks), sent to 4,310
health professionals 11,885 respondents within the (36.2%)
3) Exercise and sport for children and health and fitness industry
adolescents
4) Aerobic fitness
5) Prevention and rehabilitation of sport
injuries
6) Community fitness
7) Home-based fitness
8) Indoor rowing
None Electronic survey from April 7, N=
2020, to June 2, 2020 (8 weeks), 1,271
through e-mail invitation to 6,230 (7.2%)
ACSM members residing in
Europe and 11,423 university
professors specializing in
physical activity and fitness, as
well as fitness groups through
social media networks
(continues)
January/February 2021
TABLE 1: 2021 International Fitness Trend Survey Methodology, Continued
Country Trends
Mexico Total of 46 trends: 27 from
worldwide survey and
19 unique to Mexico; survey
deleted 14 potential trends
from worldwide survey.
Spain Total of 44 trends: 31 from
worldwide survey and
13 unique to Spain
United Total of 41 trends identical to
States the worldwide survey
Each country and region used similar and/or different survey methodology and procedures compared with the worldwide survey.
Volume 25 | Number 1
Copyright © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Response
Additional Trends Survey Duration/Distribution Rate
1) Multidisciplinary teams Electronic survey from May 13 to N=
2) New activities/services adapted to May 31 (3 weeks); distributed to 1,077
postpandemic COVID-19 13,589 fitness professionals via (7.9%)
3) Training at home with personalized social networks and university
professional support professors
4) Strength training
5) Cardiometabolic rehabilitation
6) Exercise programs for childhood obesity
7) Professional fitness regulation
8) Monitoring of training results
9) New market niches in fitness center
10) Specific training for a sport
11) Fitness influencers
12) Fitness in streaming
13) Sustainable gyms/eco-gyms
14) Training for popular running and races
15) Street workout
16) Training at home with online or video
conference support from professionals
17) Complement of workouts with online
sessions organized by gyms
18) Home gym set up
19) Use of new technologies to control
personal health status
1) Multidisciplinary teams Electronic survey from May 2020 N = 503
2) Fitness and dietary to July 2020 (10 weeks); a total (8.1%)
3) New market niches of 6,230 distributed among
4) Injury prevention/functional rehabilitation fitness professionals and social
5) Exercise programs against children and networks in fitness groups
adolescent obesity
6) Medical derivation
7) Gamification of activities/services of
fitness
8) Specific sport training
9) Popular races and running
10) Training
11) CrossFit
12) Fitness influencers/Youtubers/bloggers
13) New yoga modalities
None Electronic survey from July 1 to N=
September 1, 2020 (9 weeks), 3,378
sent to 75,383 ACSM health and (6%)
fitness professionals through
e-mail, associated web sites, and
social media (see details in
worldwide survey)
www.acsm-healthfitness.org 23
FITNESS TRENDS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Three major takeaways identified by Amaral et al. include

the following:
ACSM’s 2021 Worldwide Survey of Fitness
Trends, and regional comparisons, will be vital
in the health and fitness industry for the year
ahead and maybe beyond.
The investigation of the 2021 fitness trends in Australia was
conducted by Chris Alexander and colleagues at Fitness Australia.
Three major takeaways include the following:
• A consistent theme within the top 20 fitness trends for
2021 is the emphasis on wellness.
• The importance of integration with other professionals in
the prescription and promotion of health is evident and
new to the top 20 trends compared with last year.
• Sixteen of the top 20 trends identified in ACSM’s World-
wide Survey of Fitness Trends (9) appeared in Brazil’s top
20 trends, which the authors suggest could be a direct in-
fluence by American products and services on the behav-
ior of Brazilian professionals.

• The rise of strength training with free weights (no. 1 trend)
may be due to the implications of COVID-19. As health
and fitness clubs closed throughout the pandemic, retail
stores sold out of their free weights, which implies that
Australians wanted to maintain strength training during
isolation and were invested in doing so at home or in smaller
groups that were not based in formal fitness centers.
• Functional fitness training climbed to no. 2, highlighting
exercise professionals reaching broader cohorts of clients,
and thus adapting delivery of supporting activities of
daily living (e.g., balance, coordination, strength, and
endurance).
• The fitness industry indicated that being identified/
employed as a registered exercise professional (no. 3) is
an important step to developing consumer, allied health,
and medical professional confidence in service delivery.
These results also highlight the value that the industry
places on its exercise professionals, maintaining a higher
level of accountability and professionalism.
Because of the pandemic, Brazilian politicians, influenced by the
media, did not include the performance of physical education
professionals and spaces for the practice of physical activity, in-
cluding gyms, as essential for people’s health. Therefore, all sec-
tors had to review and then reformulate their strategies to make
the transition from fitness to wellness. As a result of the COVID-19
pandemic, Brazil anticipates a large number of people who will
engage in physical activity in their homes and an increased
awareness of practicing personal healthy habits.
China
Demographics information from China (N = 3,368) can be found
here (http://links.lww.com/FIT/A151).

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, the government

identified indoor fitness facilities as “high risk,” forcing the industry
to offer different services (e.g., rent out equipment, offer online pro-
grams, move more outdoors) in an effort to restore the physical and
mental well-being of the community. This government mandate
certainly had an effect in this year’s survey results.

Brazil
Demographics information from Brazil (N = 850) can be found
here (http://links.lww.com/FIT/A150).
For the second consecutive year (11), fitness trends in Brazil
were assessed by Paulo Costa Amaral and his colleagues.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated

health and fitness consumer activity (e.g., the
home market) in some respects, yet slowed it
down in others (e.g., commercial health clubs).

24 ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal ® January/February 2021

Copyright © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
 TABLE 2: Top 20 International Fitness Trends
Australia Brazil China Europe Mexico Spain United States
1 Strength training Exercise for weight Exercise for weight Personal training Exercise for weight Exercise and weight Online training
with free weights loss loss loss loss programs

Volume 25 | Number 1
2 Functional fitness Lifestyle medicine Healthy dieta HIIT Functional fitness Employing certified Wearable
training training professionals technology
3 Employing registered Online training Certified education EIM Personal training Personal training Body weight
exercise for fitness and health training
professionals professionals
4 Fitness programs for Personal training Exercise and sport Exercise for weight Strength traininga Small group personal Outdoor activities
older adults for children and loss training
adolescentsa
5 Wearable technology Fitness programs for Aerobic fitnessa Functional fitness Body weight training Functional training HIIT
older adults training
6 Body weight training Clinical integration/ Core training Body weight training Multidisciplinary Outdoor activities Virtual training
medical fitness teamsa
7 Group training Employing certified Personal training Health and wellness Outdoor activities Multidisciplinary Strength training
fitness professionals coaching teamsa with free weights
8 HIIT Exercise is medicine Functional fitness Employing certified Specific training for a Fitness and dietarya Exercise is
training fitness professionals sporta medicine
9 Exercise is medicine Functional fitness Health/wellness Fitness programs for Circuit training Seeking new market Fitness programs
training coaching older adults nichesa for older adults
10 Exercise for weight Health/wellness Licensure for fitness Licensure for fitness Prevention/functional Fitness programs for Personal training
loss coaching professionals professionals rehabilitation of older adults
injuriesa
11 Personal training Outdoor activities Prevention/ Small group training Licensure for fitness Licensure for fitness Health/wellness
rehabilitation of sport professionals professionals coaching
injuriesa
12 Outdoor activities Postrehabilitation Strength training with Clinical integration/ New activities/ HIIT Mobile exercise
classes free weights medical fitness services adapted to apps
postpandemic
COVID-19a
13 Inclusive fitness HIIT Outdoor activities Circuit training HIIT Exercise app for Employing

Copyright © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
servicesa mobile phones certified fitness
professionals

www.acsm-healthfitness.org
14 Small group personal Small group personal Exercise is medicine Postrehabilitation Training with free Outcomes Functional fitness
training training classes weights measurement training

25
(continues)
FITNESS TRENDS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

For the third consecutive year, Yong-Ming Li and his col-

Licensure for fitness

Exercise for weight

Lifestyle medicine
leagues (5,10) have conducted the trends survey in China. Three
United States

Group training
major takeaways include the following:

professionals

myofascial
Mobility/
• Four of the top 20 fitness trends are unique to China,

devices
Yoga

which supports once again the necessity of conducting a

loss

country-specific survey (see Table 2).

• Weight loss, achieved by nutrition and/or exercise, is the
functional rehabilitationa
Body weight training

Free weight training

major trend in the Chinese fitness industry.
Injury prevention/
Postrehabilitation

• The fitness industry in China currently pays significant at-

Group training
Fitness online
Spain

tention to certified education, licensure, and employment

for fitness professionals.
classes

The financial pressure within the health and fitness industry due
to the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for many busi-
Training at home with
Wearable technology

nesses in China but has resulted in some interesting takeaways

well-being programs

from their trends. The findings emphasize the importance of ed-

Worksite health

measurements
promotion and

Group training
Mexico

ucation to promote the certification of more health and fitness

Core training

personalized
professional

professionals. China’s results also promote licensure for fitness

Outcome

supporta

professionals as well as employment of those trained profes-

sionals. The authors suggest that the integration of certified pro-
fessionals in health, fitness, and medicine will be strengthened at
both the national and local levels.
Children and exercise

Wearable technology
Strength training
Boutique fitness

Group training
Europe

Europe
Core training

Demographics information from Europe (N = 1,271) can be

studios

found here (http://links.lww.com/FIT/A152).

For the second consecutive year, Alexios Batrakoulis (12)
conducted the investigation of the 2021 trends survey in
Mobile exercise apps
Small group personal
fitness professionals

Europe. One stark difference between the Europe survey and

Body weight training
Employing certified

Lifestyle medicine

New trend identified by country expert panel and different from worldwide survey.

the worldwide survey is that technology demonstrates a signifi-

measurements

cant attractiveness and usability in the United States compared

China
TABLE 2: Top 20 International Fitness Trends, Continued

with Europe according to Batrakoulis. Other major highlights

Outcome

training

include the following:

• Personal training (no. 1) and high-intensity interval train-

ing (no. 2) remain the primary drivers in Europe for a sec-
Mobile exercise apps

jogging/cycling clubs
Wearable technology

Body weight training

ond year.
Walking/running/

• The increasing demand for certified and licensed practi-

Virtual training

Group training
Brazil

tioners appears to be an emergent trend among all in-

volved fitness industry stakeholders.
• Despite the effect of COVID-19 on the health and fitness
industry, technology-oriented trends such as online train-
ing (no. 22), wearable technology (no. 19), virtual training
Health and wellness

(no. 32), and mobile exercise apps (no. 29) do not appear
Pre- and postnatal
Lifestyle medicine

to be popular fitness trends in Europe for 2021.

Australia

Online training
Core training

Perhaps COVID-19 played a critical role in technology-related

coaching

trends ranking relatively low in Europe but that is up to the reader’s

fitness
Yoga

interpretation. More traditional exercise modes such as personal

training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and functional
fitness training scored relatively high in Europe, compared with
15

16

17

18

19

20

the United States.

26 ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal ® January/February 2021

Copyright © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Figure. Fitness trends from around the globe based on the top 5 trends from each region.
Mexico
Demographics information from Mexico (N = 1,077) can be
found here (http://links.lww.com/FIT/A153).
Francisco Gómez Chávez and his colleagues led the investi-
gation of the 2021 fitness trends survey in Mexico, which is the
second annual trends survey for this region (13). Twelve of the
top 20 trends in Mexico were different from ACSM’s World-
wide Survey of Fitness Trends (9), including the trend “new
activities/services adapted to postpandemic COVID-19.” Other
trends highlighted include the following:
• Exercise and weight loss programs (no. 1), functional train-
ing (no. 2), outdoor activities (no. 7), sport-specific training
(no. 8), and circuit training (no. 9) are fitness trends impor-
tant in Mexico.
• Technology-related fitness does not appear to be trending.
In Mexico, sport and fitness activities were negatively af-
fected by the COVID-19 pandemic within the health and fitness
industry. The increased prioritization to maintain safe, clean,
and socially distant gym environments with committed facility,
staff, and members during the pandemic remains a challenge.
As a result, changes are anticipated in the programming of fit-
ness activities to move from groups to more personalized small
groups as well as home training and exercise programming in
public spaces.
Volume 25 | Number 1
Copyright © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Spain
Demographics information from Spain (N = 503) can be found
here (http://links.lww.com/FIT/A154).
Oscar Veiga and his colleagues led the investigation of the
2021 fitness trends in Spain, which is the fifth annual trends sur-
vey for this region (1-4). Three major takeaways identified in-
clude the following:
• Almost all the top trends (17 of 20) also were identified in
2020. However, there were noticeable ranking differ-
ences, some of which are likely explained by the effect of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The trends of outdoor activities and seeking new market
niches increased in the rankings, whereas strength train-
ing, injury/functional rehabilitation, and licensure for fit-
ness professionals decreased considerably.
• For the first time since Spain has participated in the sur-
vey, online fitness appeared as a top 20 trend. However,
wearable technology (no. 21), a high-ranking trend in
ACSM’s Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends (9), was
not within Spain’s top 20.
Spain is one of the countries with a higher incidence of COVID-19
in relation to its population and with some of the toughest anti-
COVID-19 regulatory measures around the world, includ-
ing restrictive lockdowns and partial lockdowns affecting the
www.acsm-healthfitness.org 27
FITNESS TRENDS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
capacity of public facilities, including hospitality, culture, and
sport. The most relevant anticipated influences from the pan-
demic are increasing services through digital support (e.g., apps,
online platforms, social networks, etc.), activities that involve a
personalization of training (e.g., personal training, small group
personal training, and counseling), outdoor fitness activities,
and activities that involve spending less time in the gym.
United States
Respondents that completed the worldwide survey were in-
cluded in this assessment (N = 4,377). From the worldwide sur-
vey, participants with missing responses to all potential 41 fitness
trends were removed (14), and only respondents residing in the
United States were included in the assessment (N = 3,378). Dem-
ographics information from the United States can be found here
(http://links.lww.com/FIT/A155).
A few trends to highlight in the 2021 top 20 fitness trends for
the United States include the following:
• Virtual training (no. 6) and online training (no. 1, up from
no. 21 last year) reveal that both virtual and online train-
ing are important trends, which are likely explained by
the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Group training (no. 17, down from no. 3 last year) and
worksite health promotion/well-being programs (no. 26,
down from no. 17) decreased this year, whereas outdoor
activities (no. 4, up from no. 13 last year) increased. These
results may be due to the implications of COVID-19.
TOP 5 HIGHLIGHTS
After reviewing the results, we chose to highlight five of the most
interesting findings. Please refer to the Figure to explore popular
health and fitness trends based on the top 5 global rankings for
each region.
Exercise for Weight Loss Is Globally Important
Exercise for weight loss was no. 1 in China, Brazil, Mexico, and
Spain and no. 4 in Europe, yet much lower in Australia (no. 10)
and the United States (no. 16). Despite differences in survey
methodology (e.g., country trend differences) (see Table 1), this
trend appears to be significant on an international scale. Busi-
ness owners and health and fitness professionals may be well
served to align programming options with this trend in mind.
However, the lower ranking among respondents from the
United States is curious and may mean exercise for weight loss
will not be as effective of a business strategy or marketing mes-
sage in the United States compared with other countries.
Let's Get Functional
Functional fitness training was much higher in all six interna-
tional surveys (between no. 2 and no. 9) compared with the
United States (no. 14). The consistent popularity of this trend
across geographical regions suggests that the fitness industry
28 ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal ®
Copyright © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
may want to consider incorporating elements of functional fit-
ness training into 2021 initiatives. This trend, which includes
strength training to improve balance, coordination, strength,
and endurance to improve activities of daily living, is adaptable
to different ages and ability levels.
Living in a Virtual Fitness World
A growing number of consumers are using technology to monitor
their health, measure fitness, and/or assess caloric intake from their
smartphone. Online training was much higher in the United States
(no. 1) and Brazil (no. 3) than Spain (no. 15), Australia (no. 19),
China (no. 20: Mobile Exercise Apps), and Europe (no. 22). Online
training and mobile exercise apps were already heavily involved in
many peoples’ lives before the COVID-19 pandemic, but their
popularity and availability will continue to grow in 2021. In ad-
dition, virtual training, a new trend this year, also made its way
near the top in the United States (no. 6 trend), with a lower
ranking in Brazil (no. 16), Europe (no. 32), and China (no. 43)
and no ranking at all in Australia and Mexico. Health and fit-
ness professionals can get creative in delivering their services
as well as in using the vast range of online tools available to en-
hance coaching and training portfolios.
Employing Certified/Registered Professionals
Interestingly, employing certified/registered fitness professionals
was lower among United States respondents (no. 13) compared
with many other regions, perhaps because of the vast number of
certifications available in the United States and no government
regulation within the industry. However, the trend continues to
be important on a global scale. Whether it be for students and
professionals new to the industry, or seasoned veterans, it appears
as though pursuing certifications will continue to be important for
hiring, retaining, and promoting fitness staff in the future.
MORE ONE-ON-ONE, LESS GROUP TRAINING
When considering life post-COVID-19, it is hard to tell whether
people will be rushing back to activities or environments in crowded
locations or in close proximity with others. In the 2021 fitness
trends, group training declined in popularity across many re-
gions, which may be at least partly related to the pandemic. In
addition, crowded environments that were once a part of the
routine fitness experience may be replaced with at-home, indi-
vidual, or small group training. Uncertainty about large group
gatherings and indoor activities remains high in 2021, which is
likely to make it challenging for health and fitness professionals
to market and deliver traditional programming activities.
LIMITATIONS
As rich as the data are from each country, there are several survey
limitations to note. First, readers should use caution in assuming
that trends in one country are representative of other regions.
Please refer to Table 2, which highlights several differences (and
similarities) represented within each country. In addition, because
January/February 2021
most regions identified at least some trends unique to them, we Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest and do
were unable to explore true region by region comparisons. not have any financial disclosures.
SUMMARY
We encourage other countries to participate in this annual survey Vanessa Marie Kercher, Ph.D., M.Ed.,
as a means to gain a more accurate representation of the top 20 fit- ACSM-EP, is a clinical assistant professor
ness trends around the world. We hope to continue to expand this in the Kinesiology Department, School of Public
international partnership to make yearly improvements and prog- Health, Indiana University. Dr. Kercher’s re-
ress on the survey design, methodology, and implementation. search passion focuses on helping individuals
ACSM and our international contributors have a tremendous op- optimize their physical activity experiences to
portunity to continue leading the way in this evolving international promote sustainable, positive health behaviors.
collaboration, which is well positioned to have a continuously pos-
itive effect on the worldwide health fitness industry.
Kyle Kercher, M.S., ACSM-EP, CPT, CSCS,
Acknowledgments PMP, CHWC, is a second year Ph.D. student
The authors thank Managing Editor Lori Tish for providing all and an associate instructor at Indiana Univer-
materials needed to complete this article and for her endless sup- sity. He is studying health behavior in the
port throughout the entire process associated with ACSM’s World- School of Public Health, and his research fo-
wide Survey of Fitness Trends. Thanks to Editor-in-Chief Brad A. cuses on youth sports, subconcussive head im-
Roy, Ph.D., FACSM; Associate Editor-in-Chief Gary Liguori, pacts, and physical activity participation.
Ph.D., FACSM; the editorial board of ACSM’s Health & Fitness
Journal®; and ACSM’s Past-President Walter R. Thompson, Trevor Bennion, DHSc, is an exercise sci-
Ph.D., FACSM, for encouraging us to work together to recog- entist who conducts research on metabolism
nize and compare the fitness trends with international collabo- with a special focus on fat as a fuel during
rators. A special thanks to the authors who contributed to this physical activity. He currently serves as pres-
international trends article. ident of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the
American College of Sports Medicine and is
a member of the editorial board of ACSM’s
1. 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.
Health & Fitness Journal®. He teaches
2. Veiga OL, Valcarce Torrente M, King CA. Encuesta nacional de tendencias de
graduate courses in exercise science and sports nutrition, is the
fitness en España para 2018. Retos. 2018;33:279–85. https://doi. owner of an online business called Fitness & Physiology, and is
org/10.5672/apunts.2014-0983.es.(2018/2).128.07. the host of the exercise science podcast HIITCAST.
3. Veiga OL, Valcarce M, King A, de la Cámara MÁ. Encuesta nacional de tendencias
de fitness en España para 2019. Retos. 2019;35:341–7. https://doi.org/https:
//doi.org/10.47197/retos.v0i35.67353. Brandon A. Yates, M.S., CSCS, is cur-
4. de la Camara MA, Valcarce Torrente M, Veiga OL. Encuesta nacional de rently a second year Ph.D. student in the De-
tendencias de fitness en España para el año 2020. Retos. 2020;37:434–41. partment of Kinesiology, Indiana University–
5. Li Y, Han J, Liu Y, Miao L, Li X, Wu X. 2018 China fitness trends—an online survey
for fitness professionals in China (in Chinese). J Shanghai Univ Sport. 2018;42(1):
Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
41–6. His research focuses on musculoskeletal health,
6. Vorobiova A. World and national fitness trends 2019. Sport Science and Human nutrition, and resistance exercise interventions
Health. 2019;1(1):62–9. in clinical populations.
7. Kercher VM. International comparisons: ACSM’s worldwide survey of fitness
trends. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2018;22(6):24–9.
8. Kercher VM, Feito Y, Yates B. Regional comparisons: the worldwide survey of
Yuri Feito, Ph.D., MPH, ACSM-CEP,
fitness trends. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2019;23(6):41–8. FACSM, is an associate professor of exercise
9. Thompson WR. Worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2021. ACSMs Health science at Kennesaw State University. He
Fitness J. 2021;25(1):10–9. has been involved in the medical fitness in-
10. Li Y-M, Han J, Liu Y, et al. China survey of fitness trends for 2020. ACSMs Health
Fit J. 2019;23(6):28–35.
dustry for more than 15 years working with
11. Costa Amaral P, Palma DD. Brazil and Argentina survey of fitness trends for 2020.
a variety of clinical populations. Dr. Feito ob-
ACSMs Health Fit J. 2019;23(6):36–40. tained his Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee,
12. Batrakoulis A. European survey of fitness trends for 2020. ACSMs Health Fit J. Knoxville, and has master’s degrees in Move-
2019;23(6):19–27. ment Science and Public Health. He is a fellow of the American
13. Gómez Chávez LFJ, Pelayo Zavalza AR, Aguirre Rodríguez LE. Encuesta nacional College of Sports Medicine and is certified as a clinical exercise
de tendencias fitness para México en 2020. Retos. 2020;39:30–7. https://doi.
org/https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v0i39.78113.
physiologist. His current research examines the physiological re-
14. Fowler FJ. Survey Research Methods. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks (CA): SAGE
sponses to high-intensity protocols, their psychosocial impact, and
Publications; 2009. the incidence of injuries related to these protocols.
Volume 25 | Number 1 www.acsm-healthfitness.org 29

Copyright © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
FITNESS TRENDS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Chris Alexander, ESSAM, AEP, AES, is an
exercise physiologist and general manager at Fit-
ness Australia (peak fitness industry association
in Australia). While he continues to practice in
the health and fitness industry, he has been on
many committees supporting the development
of standards and education to strengthen the pro-
fessionalism of the fitness industry.
Paulo Costa Amaral, Ph.D., MBA, M.Sc.,
is a coordinator and professor in graduate
and postgraduate courses of Physical Edu-
cation and Administration. He also serves
as a health/wellness coach and a speaker in fit-
ness, wellness, and gym management.
Waldyr Soares, is the founder of Wellness
Brasil® and has served as a valuable re-
source in fitness and wellness in Brazil for
more than 40 years.
Yong-Ming Li, Ph.D., is a professor in the
School of Physical Education and Sport
Training, Shanghai University of Sport.
He also is a distinguished research fellow
at the China Institute of Sport Science. He
is a researcher on energetics in exercise and
sports and a consultant to the fitness indus-
try in China. He is currently serving on the
International Relations Committee of the American College of
Sports Medicine.
Jia Han, Ph.D., is a professor in the Phys-
iotherapy and Sport Rehabilitation Depart-
ment, Shanghai University of Sport. He
also holds adjunct research positions at the
University of Canberra and the Swinburne
University of Technology, Australia. He
serves as the vice president of the China
Sport Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy
Committee and the associate editor of the Journal of Science
and Medicine in Sport.
30 ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal ®
Copyright © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Yang Liu, Ph.D., is a professor in the School
of Physical Education and Sport Training
at the Shanghai University of Sport. He is
also a researcher at the Shanghai Research
Center for Physical Fitness and Health of
Children and Adolescents. He is currently
serving as the coleader of Active Healthy
Kids China.
Ran Wang, Ph.D., is a professor in the
School of Physical Education and Sport
Training, Shanghai University of Sport.
He received a bachelor’s and a master’s de-
gree in kinesiology at Beijing Sport Univer-
sity and completed his doctoral training at
the University of Central Florida. His re-
search interests include the development of
performance testing methodologies, the analysis of physical and
physiological profiles, and the assessment of adaptations to dif-
ferent training stimulus in varying populations.
Hai-Yan Huang, Ph.D., is a professor in
the School of Economics and Management,
Shanghai University of Sport. He serves as
the vice president of Sciences Academy at the
Shanghai University of Sport, the deputy
director of Shanghai Collaborative Innova-
tion Center of Sports and Health Industry,
the deputy secretary-general of the Sports
Industry Association in YRD area, and the executive member
of the Sport Industry Committee of Shanghai Sport Science
Society.
Bing-Hong Gao, Ph.D., is a professor and
the dean of the School of Physical Educa-
tion and Sport Training at the Shanghai
University of Sport. He serves as a member
of the Expert Board of Science and Tech-
nology and Training Supervision for the
Tokyo Olympic Games at the General Ad-
ministration of Sport of China. He is also a
consultant of Shanghai Citizen Community Fitness and an editor of
China Sport Science and Technology and the Journal of
Shanghai University of Sport.
January/February 2021
 Alexios Batrakoulis, M.S., ACSM-EP,
ACSM-CPT, CSCS, CSPS, NSCA-CPT,
is a world-renowned fitness expert and is
preparing to earn a Ph.D. in exercise phys-
iology at the University of Thessaly and is
based in Greece. He is the founder of the
International Obesity Exercise Training
Institute and serves as a member on several
committees and councils for ACSM, the National Strength and
Conditioning Association (NSCA), and EuropeActive. He recently
received the prestigious industry awards of the 2018 IDEA Per-
sonal Trainer of the Year, 2019 IDEA China Fitness Innova-
tion, and 2020 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year.
Francisco Gómez Chávez, Ph.D., is a
research professor at the University Center
of the Coast, University of Guadalajara,
Mexico. He is a member of the academic re-
search group UDG-CA-1076-Determinants
of Health. In recent years, he has developed
an application of healthy lifestyles knowledge.
Jorge López Haro, B.Sc., M.Sc., is a
professor in Physical Culture and Sports
at the University Center of the Coast, Uni-
versity of Guadalajara, México. He has
earned a bachelor's of science (B.Sc.) degree
in physical activity and sports at the Uni-
versity of Seville, Spain, and a master's of
science (M.Sc.) degree in innovation and re-
search in physical activity science and sport at the University of
León, Spain.
Adrián Ricardo Pelayo Zavalza, is a pro-
fessor at the University Center of the Coast,
University of Guadalajara, and is currently
pursuing a postgraduate degree in science
for development, sustainability, and tourism.
In recent years, he has developed an applica-
tion of healthy lifestyles knowledge.
Volume 25 | Number 1
View publication stats Copyright © 2020 American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Luis Eduardo Aguirre Rodríguez, has a
degree in Physical Culture and Sports from
the University of Guadalajara. He is also a
master’s student in Education at the Uni-
versity of the Valley of Mexico and in Sci-
ences for Development, Sustainability and
Tourism at the University of Guadalajara.
He has earned a diploma in scientific research
and evaluation in high-performance sports at the Autonomous Uni-
versity of Nuevo León and a certificate in critical library science,
search processes, selection, and communication of scientific informa-
tion at the University of Sheffield.
Oscar L. Veiga, Ph.D., is a lecturer and
researcher in physical activity and sport sci-
ences at the Autonomous 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., is a
professor/doctor at the International Uni-
versity of Valencia, professor in several
Master of Sports Management in Spain
and South America, and CEO of Valgo Sport
Consulting, a company focused on business
consulting and human resources for sports
and fitness companies.
Miguel Á. De la Cámara, Ph.D., is a
postdoctoral researcher and expert in physi-
cal fitness, strength training, and functional
exercises for health. His research interests
focus on the physical fitness and the objective
physical activity assessment and their rela-
tions with health outcomes.
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 to commercial,
clinical, corporate, and community fitness programs
worldwide and also provide unique regional preferences.
Although the prediction of future trends is difficult, the
data captured in these surveys provide health and fitness
professionals information to track and compare the
trajectory of trends in the field all over the world.
www.acsm-healthfitness.org 31