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The American College of Sports Medicine’s 2027 Worldwide Fitness Trends report ranks wearable technology No. 1 for the 10th time since the category entered the survey in 2016. Mobile exercise apps rose to No. 2, balance, flow and core strength reached No. 3, and group fitness climbed six places to No. 7.
The American College of Sports Medicine has ranked wearable technology No. 1 in its fitness trends forecast for 2027, extending the category’s record of leading the survey in 10 of the years since it was added in 2016. The annual report also points to rising interest in mobile exercise apps, Pilates-related workouts and group fitness, as technology and social, movement-focused classes share the top rankings.
ACSM’s Worldwide Fitness Trends report, published Tuesday in the organization’s Health & Fitness Journal, identifies the trends fitness professionals expect to have the greatest influence on the industry in the coming year. Now in its 21st year, the report ranks trends rather than measuring consumer participation directly. Wearables were the only trend to place in the top three across every professional role, work setting and experience category examined, according to the report.
Mobile exercise apps rose from fourth to second, while balance, flow and core strength moved from fifth to third. The latter category covers Pilates, yoga, barre and mobility-focused exercise. Group fitness classes climbed six places, from No. 13 to No. 7. The top five also included fitness programs for older adults at No. 4 and traditional strength training at No. 5.
Further down the list, exercise for weight management ranked No. 6 and data-driven training technology held at No. 8. The source report also says exercise for mental health and well-being remained in the top 10 for a fourth consecutive year, but the provided material does not give its exact position or a complete list of the remaining trends.
The rankings suggest fitness businesses may need to serve people through both digital tools and in-person experiences. Wearables and apps can help users track activity or access workouts beyond a gym, while group classes offer scheduled instruction and opportunities to exercise with others. The report describes expected industry trends; it does not establish that every consumer is adopting these services or explain why individual people choose them.
The rise in older-adult programming and strength training also signals attention to maintaining physical function at different life stages. For operators, these categories point to potential demand for more specialized programs. For readers choosing how to exercise, the rankings are an industry snapshot, not individualized guidance or a measure of which activity is best for a particular person.
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How ACSM Builds Its Annual Ranking
ACSM’s report is based on a survey of fitness professionals and forecasts trends for the year ahead. It is not a tally of sales, gym attendance, device ownership or medical outcomes. The distinction matters: a high ranking reflects respondents’ expectations about the industry, rather than proof that a trend is growing by a specific amount among the public.
Wearable technology has been part of the survey since 2016 and has ranked first 10 times, according to the supplied report. This year’s list also places the category alongside newer or expanding ways to deliver exercise, including apps and programs built around balance, core strength and mobility. ACSM’s account says Pilates studios and gym chains have expanded offerings, particularly reformer Pilates, but gives no figures for that expansion.
“Technology continues to shape how people approach fitness, but this year’s rankings also highlight the value of shared experiences and programs that fit different stages of life.”
— Cayla McAvoy, lead author of the report and chair of ACSM’s Trends Workgroup
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What the Rankings Do Not Show
The supplied report does not include the survey’s sample size, response rate, field dates or detailed methodology, so readers cannot assess those details from the available material. It also does not provide participation figures that would show whether consumer use of wearables, apps or classes has increased, or explain how much each category’s position changed beyond the specified rankings.
The source text ends before giving the complete top 10, including the exact placement of exercise for mental health and well-being. The ranking also does not show whether trends will translate into actual spending, attendance or outcomes in 2027. Its descriptions of benefits, including those tied to weight management and physical function, should be understood as reported context rather than a promise of results.
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Fitness Businesses Watch 2027 Demand
The report’s next step is its use as a forecast for the 2027 fitness industry; it does not announce a specific rollout or policy change. Gyms, studios and trainers may use the rankings to inform programming decisions, including whether to expand app-based options, group classes, strength sessions or offerings for older adults.
Whether those expectations match actual participation remains to be seen. Future attendance, consumer surveys or industry data would be needed to show whether the listed trends gain ground during the year, and the available source material does not specify when ACSM will publish a follow-up assessment.
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Key Questions
What is ACSM’s top fitness trend for 2027?
Wearable technology ranked No. 1 in ACSM’s annual forecast. The category includes devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers.
Which trends rose most in the 2027 ranking?
Group fitness classes made the largest specified jump, rising six places from No. 13 to No. 7. Mobile exercise apps rose from fourth to second, and balance, flow and core strength advanced from fifth to third.
Does the ranking measure what consumers are doing?
No. The report identifies trends fitness professionals expect to shape the industry. The supplied material does not present consumer participation data, sales figures or a measure of how many people use each trend.
What does ACSM include in balance, flow and core strength?
The category includes Pilates, yoga, barre and mobility-focused exercise, along with work aimed at balance, flexibility and movement control.
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