Looking back at our 2025 trend predictions, it’s clear that many of those topics will continue to dominate conversations about health and fitness in 2026 and beyond. Obesity medications and artificial intelligence (AI), for example, aren’t going anywhere and will continue to have a tremendous impact on the work of health coaches and exercise professionals. Rather than presenting short-term fads, we’ve enlisted the help of multiple members of the ACE Scientific Advisory Panel to update and expand our thoughts on some of the carryover trends from last year and to introduce additional shifts that reflect longer-term changes we foresee taking hold in 2026 and beyond. Many of these trends represent ongoing transformations in how health coaches and exercise professionals support health, performance and well-being.

1. Artificial Intelligence

   Last year, Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM, ACE CEO, said that “AI is now central to fitness,” and that certainly hasn’t changed. In fact, Ted Vickey, PhD, says that AI has moved beyond “trend” status. In 2026, he explains, “It will become the backbone of programming, member communication, scheduling, personalization and staffing. Gyms will use AI to reduce labor costs, predict member churn and automate daily operations.”

   Professionals who embrace this technology and incorporate AI tools, apps and virtual platforms into their services will have an opportunity to differentiate themselves from the competition and thrive in a rapidly evolving industry where technology is increasingly shaping both client experience and business operations.” For health coaches and exercise professionals, this means learning how to use AI as a tool to enhance—not replace—human connection and coaching expertise.

2. Bettere Integration of Data from Fitness Trackers

   Last year, Dr. Vickey said, “Wearable devices will become even more integral to personal training and health coaching. Trainers and coaches will leverage real-time data from advanced wearables to monitor clients’ heart rates, sleep patterns and activity levels, allowing for precise and effective guidance.”

   In 2026, he says this trend will shift from “tracking” to “programming.” Dr. Vickey explains that trainers will be able to say to their clients: “Your workout will no longer be planned around guesswork. It will be programmed by your physiology, updated in real time by the data your wearables already collect and translated into actionable client-centered decisions.” For professionals, this requires skill in data interpretation and communication, not just access to technology. 

3. Recovery Methods

   Recovery, while long understood by professionals as a vital element of sports performance and training to pursue fitness goals, is gaining traction among the general public as people embrace it not only as a vital element of their exercise programs, but also as a means of self-care. Dr. Vickey predicts that people will begin to treat recovery as an “appointment” in their weekly calendars and that recovery methods soon will constitute their own membership tier in some fitness facilities.  

   Health coaches and exercise professionals can talk with their clients about the benefits of proper recovery for both physical and mental health, as well as the various strategies available, including cold plunge, infrared, compression gear, saunas and so on—and help clients match recovery strategies to their training loads and life demands. 

   “Recovery methods function as supportive performance modalities,” explains Erin Nitschke, EdD, “because they help the body absorb the training stimulus rather than simply endure it. When clients learn to view recovery as an intentional component of their weekly routine rather than an afterthought, they begin to recognize that these strategies aren’t passive; they are active investments in sustainable progress.” 

4. Inclusive Fitness

   ACE has long championed the value of movement for everyone and every body. Last year, we wrote about weight-inclusive approaches that promote body neutrality and self-acceptance, with a goal of empowering individuals to engage in healthy practices without shame or pressure.  

   “There’s also a growing focus on inclusivity in healthcare,” explains Dominique Adair, MS, RDN, “making sure remote tools and technology-supported care work for all patients, including those with limited tech access, disabilities, language differences or complex health needs. For exercise professionals, this shift is worth watching: as Medicare and insurers expand remote monitoring and whole-person care models, there’s a major opportunity to bridge wellness, coaching and healthcare, positioning exercise pros as key partners in helping clients manage chronic conditions, track progress and stay engaged between visits.” 

   For health coaches and exercise professionals, inclusive practice is not just a value, it’s a core competency. 

5. Obesity Medications

   While the long-term impact of obesity medications on the health and fitness industry is still being figured out, there is no question that you will be seeing more clients on these medications, particularly as the next generation of these meds go mainstream. Dr. Nitschke says that personal trainers will be integrated into multidisciplinary care models for individuals taking obesity medications. “As obesity medications become more common, health and exercise professionals have a unique opportunity to serve as steady, science-informed guides,” she explains. “These clients need more than workouts; they need professionals who can help them rebuild strength, protect lean mass, and navigate behavior change with compassion and clarity.” 

    “Gyms must adapt to the new physiology of members taking obesity medications,” Dr. Vickey explains, “as strength training, protein education and long-term habit support become critical.”  

6. More Holistic Approaches to Healthy Living

   In recent years, health-promoting practices such as mental health awareness, recovery strategies, stress management and sleep hygiene have allowed professionals to make more meaningful connections with their clients as they work to achieve better overall health and well-being rather than isolated fitness goals.  

   Adair believes that we will see more hybrid care models that include collaborations among registered dietitian nutritionists, health coaches/exercise professionals, behavioral health professionals, and physicians (especially for clients on obesity medications), each contributing their unique expertise. This approach is especially important for clients using obesity medications, who benefit from coordinated guidance on activity, nutrition, behavior and medical oversight. Dr. Vickey agrees that we will see an acceleration in the convergence of fitness and medicine, as health systems partner with gyms, cardiologist-referred exercise programs become more commonplace, and health coaches and exercise professionals offer stronger evidence-based programming. 

7. Menopause

   As more women enter midlife, with over 47 million transitioning into menopause annually worldwide, the conversation around menopause is becoming impossible to ignore. In 2026, we can expect menopause and women’s health to take center stage due to growing recognition of the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause, a cluster of signs and symptoms driven by declining estrogen. Signs and symptoms such as joint pain, loss of muscle mass, accelerated bone density loss, increased risk of tendon injury and progression of osteoarthritis are now being understood as interconnected processes rather than isolated issues. This shift is fueling a new era of empowerment where women demand informed guidance and personalized support rather than dismissal of symptoms as “just aging.” 

   Sabrena Jo, PhD, senior director of science and education at the American Council on Exercise, explains: “For exercise and health professionals, this presents a critical opportunity to lead. As estrogen declines, women can lose up to 10% of bone mineral density during perimenopause and continue losing muscle mass at a rate of about 0.6% per year after menopause—changes that directly impact strength, balance, and injury risk. Resistance training with heavier loads, higher protein intake, vitamin D and magnesium adequacy, and balance and power-focused exercise become essential components of training for this demographic. Professionals who understand these physiological changes can better support clients through designing programs that focus on muscle growth and maintenance, bone building and joint protection. As I often tell practitioners and clients alike, ‘Menopause isn’t a signal to slow down—it’s a call to train smarter.’ When we understand the biology, we can replace fear with strategy and help women stay active, strong, and confident through every stage of life.” 

8. Healthspan and Longevity

   Healthspan and longevity have become buzzwords in the industry for good reason, as many clients pursue goals that will allow them to live more active and engaged lives as they grow older. Things like power training and high-intensity interval training, which were once thought of as important for athletes only, are now seen as vital elements of exercise programming for the general population, including older adults when properly scaled, coached and individualized. In addition, exercise for brain health has become a mainstay in many facilities, as the benefits of cognitive training are broad and supported by evidence.  

   “When people talk about healthspan and longevity,” Dr. Jo explains, “what they’re really asking for is the ability to stay vibrant, capable and mentally sharp as they age. That’s why today’s exercise programming goes far beyond basic fitness, as it includes power training, interval work and brain-focused exercise that used to be reserved for athletes. We now know these strategies help all of us move with confidence, protect cognitive function and stay fully engaged in the lives we want to live. As these ideas take center stage in 2026, exercise and health professionals have a powerful opportunity to translate the science into personalized programs that help clients build strength, resilience and long-lasting quality of life.” 

9. A Focus on Metabolic Health

   People are becoming increasingly focused on their metabolic health, which influences risks for conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, fatty liver disease, and hypertension. Metabolic health reflects factors such as insulin sensitivity, visceral adiposity, glucose variability, inflammation, and body composition, all of which can be improved through nutrition, physical activity, medication support, and evidence-based behavior change. 

   A major driver of this interest is the rise of technology-enabled tools such as continuous glucose monitors, connected blood pressure cuffs, smart scales, and other home devices that give people real-time metabolic insight. According to Adair, “Clinicians and wellness practitioners are happy to see Medicare modernizing remote monitoring (RPM) for key indicators like blood pressure, glucose, and weight. The 2026 updates make this easier to deliver by allowing shorter monitoring periods, fewer (but still clinically meaningful) data points, and slightly higher reimbursement.” 

   She notes that the larger shift is the upcoming ACCESS program, launching in 2026. “ACCESS is designed to incentivize better outcomes across the board—not just metabolic ones,” Adair explains. “That includes improvements in chronic disease control, medication adherence, engagement in care, and reductions in avoidable acute-care use. These changes signal a much bigger push to make remote, tech-enabled monitoring a routine part of everyday healthcare, no matter which chronic conditions a patient is managing. 

10. Exercise Communities as Third Spaces

    The concept of “third spaces”—environments outside of home and work where people find connection and a sense of belonging—has been gaining a lot of traction in recent years. Fitness facilities and group fitness classes, in particular, have long served as third spaces for exercisers seeking camaraderie and social support as they work out. Hiking groups, running clubs and adult sports leagues offer those same benefits and can make exercise a lot more fun for some clients.  

    Personal trainers can tap into the third space vibe through small-group training and social media groups that offer support, tips and strategies. Nothing brings people together like conquering something as a group, whether that’s a steep hiking trail, tough weightlifting session or a daily walk in the park after work. The key is that clients feel a sense of belonging and empowerment as they move together and simply enjoy one another’s company. For many clients, social connection is the factor that sustains long-term participation. 

    “Exercise has always been about more than sets and reps,” says Dr. Nitschke. “It’s ultimately about belonging. When exercise environments become intentional third spaces, they evolve into communities where people feel seen, supported and motivated to keep showing up. That sense of connection is often the spark that turns movement into a meaningful lifestyle.”

Looking Toward the Future

As AI and obesity medications illustrate, some “trends” can transcend that label and become mainstays in the health and fitness industry. In addition, “trends” like longevity and menopause don’t suddenly show up on the scene as if no one has been thinking or talking about them until now. Their inclusion here instead marks their arrival at the forefront of conversations taking place in fitness facilities around the country. After all, most of the things talked about above—from personalized programming and social support to inclusivity and recovery—are core elements of the work you do every day, and that is not going to change any time soon!