Fitness trends come and go, but search data can offer insight into how people prioritize health and wellness. Fitness search data from the past year demonstrates the rise of emerging movements and nostalgic favorites, along with the fall of some former fitness fads.

Athletech News breaks down the fitness trends that saw the biggest increases in Google search activity in 2024, according to data from PureGym’s annual fitness report.

Remote Personal Training Tops the Charts

Leading the pack as the fastest-growing fitness trend of 2024 is remote personal training, which saw a 414% increase in interest year-over-year. Once a necessity during the pandemic, virtual training has evolved into a preferred choice for many consumers.

Hyrox Grows in Awareness, Popularity

Another highlight of 2024 was the continued rise of Hyrox, a competitive fitness race that combines endurance and functional strength.

Hyrox had a 233% increase in searches year-on-year, likely due in part to international expansion. One in ten people planning to participate in a fitness-themed event in 2024 either entered or planned to enter a Hyrox event, according to PureGym data.

TikTok’s Influence: The ’30-30-30 Rule’

TikTok’s impact on health and fitness trends remains undeniable, with the “30-30-30 rule” emerging as a standout trend in 2024. Searches for this concept—which involves eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of low-intensity exercise—spiked by 175%.

The rule’s resurgence is largely credited to TikTok personality and biologist/biohacker Gary Brecka, whose videos have brought renewed attention to this weight-loss strategy.

Back to Basics: Primal Fitness, ‘Quadrobics’ See Spikes

“Quadrobics,” a full-body workout inspired by animal movements, saw a 174% increase in searches. Primal fitness – which also includes movements like crawling, climbing, and balancing – has become popular for its focus on natural, functional movements. Many fitness enthusiasts are drawn to these workouts for their ability to improve overall body awareness, coordination, and core strength.

Nostalgia Returns With Step Aerobics, Rollerblading

Retro fitness trends made a major comeback in 2024, with step aerobics (+124%) and rollerblading (+123%) ranking among the top searches. Step aerobics, in particular, has found new life through creative choreography and integration into high-energy group classes. Rollerblading has also become a popular way to combine cardio and outdoor fun.

Other Trending Searches

Other notable fitness searches in 2024 included:

• Stroller Fitness (+127%): This trend caters to parents looking to stay active while spending quality time with their little ones.
• Functional Fitness (+124%): The versatile training style continues to attract a dedicated following.
• Hiking (+122%): The activity increased in popularity as people sought ways to stay fit and connect with nature.

Fitness Fads Lose Ground

Wall Pilates, which involves using a wall for extra resistance, experienced a 55% decline in searches as the year progressed. Similarly, TikTok-driven trends like soft hiking, a more relaxed approach to the activity (-56%), and 12-3-30, a popular treadmill activity that involves walking at an inclination of 12% at 3 miles per hour for 30 minutes (-55%), saw significant drops in interest.

Data for this article was sourced from PureGym’s annual UK Fitness Report, which ranked 2024 trends based on percentage increase in Google searches between July – September 2023 and July – September 2024.

The post These Fitness Trends Could Dominate in 2025, Google Data Shows appeared first on Athletech News.

As 2025 approaches, it’s a time for reflection. Here are some of the key mergers and acquisitions that have shaped the fitness, wellness, nutrition, and technology sectors this year:

Gyms & Studios

The fitness and wellness industry witnessed one of its biggest merger deals in history earlier in 2024, with fitness franchise Orangetheory Fitness and Self Esteem Brands (the parent company of Anytime Fitness) leading the way. The two entities are now under newly formed holding company, Purpose Brands, which is led by former Topgolf CEO Tom Leverton.

Genesis Health Clubs, a privately-owned health club operator, strengthened its presence this year after acquiring The Atlantic Club, giving Genesis a presence in the East Coast fitness market.

LA Fitness, meanwhile, acquired XSport Fitness in 2024, bolstering its footprint in New York, Chicago and Virginia with 35 gyms that will be rebranded under one of Fitness International’s (the parent company of LA Fitness) four brands.

Similarly, Virginia-based Acac Fitness & Wellness centers scooped up La Maison Health & Fitness, a family-owned fitness club that served Pennsylvania residents.

In October, World Fitness Services (WFS), the parent company of World Gym Taiwan, moved to acquire Los Angeles-based World Gym International, handing WFS total control of the entire World Gym network and positioning the brand for more global expansion.

Urban Gym Group (UGG) also joined the action, acquiring Sparring Partners Holdings, owners of the London-based boutique gym brand Gymbox, while 26North made a successful play for Onelife Fitness.

Rounding out 2024 is PureGym, a leading U.K. gym operator that beat out Planet Fitness to acquire 67 Blink Fitness gyms in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The gyms will be rebranded under the PureGym label in 2025, and a franchising model could be on the horizon.

Fitness Equipment

There’s also been considerable activity outside of the brick-and-mortar M&A space. FitLab, the multi-brand performance lifestyle company behind Nike Studios, acquired both equipment manufacturer Assault Fitness and performance equipment and apparel brand RPM Training this year after securing $65 million in strategic financing from Atlas Credit Partners.

Fitness equipment leader Echelon is advancing its efforts in recovery following its acquisition this year of ThriveX, known for its advanced recovery solutions such as cold immersion therapy systems, smart hybrid saunas and compression boots.

Fitnessmith also made a bold move to secure Gym Source USA’s commercial equipment, maintenance, and service divisions.

Apps

In the app space, Outside Inc. acquired MapMyFitness from Under Armour as it looks to scale its digital platform in the outdoor and active lifestyle realm, while TrainingPeaks bought virtual cycling platform IndieVelo.

Corporate Wellness/B2B

Corporate wellness is set to boom following deals by fit tech leader EGYM, which purchased FitReserve, a U.S.-based studio and gym network. HealthFitness, a Trustmark company, also just acquired Corporate Fitness Works (CFW), an on-site and virtual fitness management solutions provider that manages 70 corporate fitness centers.

Smart ring maker Oura recently acquired software company Sparta Science to advance its B2B offerings.

Nutrition & Supplements

PepsiCo scooped up Siete while Gen Z-favorite Ghost, a sports nutrition brand, was acquired by food and beverage giant Keurig Dr Pepper.

The deal-making continues, as Pure Protein owner 1440 Foods acquired protein bar brand FitCrunch last month as “better-for-you” food and beverage options gain steam among health-conscious consumers. 

While it remains to be seen what 2025 has in store, the bigger question may be who will be the next to announce a deal.

The post The Biggest Fitness & Wellness Acquisitions of 2024 appeared first on Athletech News.

ClassPass is closing out 2024 having expanded into food and beverage offerings and is gearing up for an initial public offering, but before the year wraps up, the fitness and wellness platform is taking a moment to reflect on the year’s top workout and wellness trends.

Here are some highlights from the ClassPass Annual Look Back report, which covers trends based on reservation data from October 2023 to October 2024.

Pilates, Ice Skating & Massage Top the Charts

Pilates saw an +84% increase in bookings this year, according to ClassPass, paving the way for the popular fitness method to secure the top spot for the second year. In the home fitness space, Pilates equipment also shows significant promise – as seen by connected Reformer maker Reform RX, Merrithew and Basi Systems.

Notably, low-impact training also saw an increase in reservations (109%), demonstrating an interest in more fitness-newbie-friendly and accessible fitness.

While Pilates dominated, ice skating took center stage as the year’s breakout trend, with a 698% increase in reservations. Its rise reflects a broader interest in unique and non-traditional fitness activities, spurred by cultural moments like the Winter Olympics and increased social media visibility. Team sports like volleyball and soccer also saw significant growth, with volleyball bookings increasing by 256% and soccer by 158%. These trends highlight a resurgence in community-oriented and recreational fitness.

In the wellness space, massage retained their title as the most-booked appointment, with a 39% increase in reservations globally. However, new data-driven practices like body scans surged by 159%, as users sought precise insights into their health and fitness progress. Similarly, cosmetic treatments grew by 133%, and body sculpting increased by 90%, reflecting a growing interest in targeted, results-focused wellness services.

Global Booking Habits: Who Works Out & When

ClassPass data revealed intriguing patterns in booking behavior. Tuesday emerged as the most popular day for workouts, with Friday dominating as the top day for wellness appointments. Weekday workouts peaked at 5:30 p.m., aligning with post-work schedules, while weekend sessions were most commonly booked at 10:00 a.m., reflecting a more relaxed start to the day. September overtook October as the busiest month for fitness, signaling a “back-to-business” mindset at the end of summer.

The most fitness-forward cities included New York Metro, which led all global markets in total reservations, followed by Los Angeles, London, Amsterdam and Singapore. Travel also influenced booking habits, with 7.7% of ClassPass users participating in fitness activities while on the road. U.S. travelers led the way, with 14% of users booking classes outside their home market, followed closely by Germany at 13%.

Specific cities showcased unique trends: Zürich residents were the most likely to book fitness classes more than three days in advance, while Basel led in lunchtime workout reservations. Outdoor workouts saw a surge in Santa Cruz, California, which topped the list for on-the-go fitness in scenic locales.

Pop Culture & Recovery Practices Shape 2024

Pop culture remained a driving force behind fitness trends. Themed classes continued to thrive, with Taylor Swift-inspired sessions drawing over 15,000 reservations. Beyoncé, Drake and Justin Bieber were also top picks for music-driven workouts.

Recovery practices gained renewed attention, with yoga, sauna sessions and massages frequently booked as post-workout activities. For example, sauna use was particularly common after Pilates, while yoga was a top choice for runners looking to stretch and unwind.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The report forecasts a continued shift toward hybrid wellness routines that combine physical fitness with mental health practices. Wearable health monitors and AI-driven tools are poised to play an even bigger role, offering users personalized insights to optimize performance and recovery. Community-focused and creative fitness experiences are also expected to thrive as individuals seek meaningful ways to connect while pursuing their wellness goals.

ATN staff writer Courtney Rehfeldt contributed to this article.

The post ClassPass Reflects on 2024: Fitness Trends & Wellness Insights appeared first on Athletech News.