Every year, the Australian Fitness Trends Report gives us all an insight into what we can expect the fitness industry to prioritise and push.

For 2026, the message is clear: fitness in Australia isn’t chasing reinvention; it’s refining itself. There’s no flashy new modality promising to “change everything overnight.” Instead, the industry is maturing, consolidating around trends that matter most.

AusFitness’s Expo co-founder, Shaun Krenz, highlights some of the key findings from the report and some of the biggest shifts shaping the industry in 2026.

1. Longevity Is A Leading And Lasting Focus

For the second year in a row, Fitness Programs for Older Adults tops the report. This is not a passing fad. Australians are living and working longer, and they’re starting to realise that how they move in their 40s, 50s, and 60s dictates independence later in life.

“Ten or fifteen years ago, longevity was bundled with rehab or ‘gentle exercise.’ In 2026, it’s performance training,” says the Shaun. “Clients are asking: Will I be able to lift my grandkids, travel, hike, work, and stay pain-free? That’s the real metric of success now.”

Strength, balance, mobility, and coordination are the new currency determining the quality life. Gyms are evolving from aesthetics-focused spaces into life-performance environments, where the goal is long-term independence and wellbeing.

2. Pilates Has Well and Truly Crossed the Mainstream Line

Pilates now ranks as the second most popular trend, and it’s not just for women or beginners anymore. Older adults, athletes, rehab clients, and people seeking low-impact progression are all flocking to reformer studios.

The appeal is clear: results without burnout. Pilates improves posture, strength, and control, while reducing injury risk. Aligning perfectly with the industry’s shift toward movement quality over intensity.

For gym owners, Pilates offers a resilient business model: smaller spaces, high retention, strong communities, and repeat attendance. Making it both commercially viable and aligned with sustainable training practices.

3. Strength Training Is Back, But the ‘Why’ Has Changed

Traditional strength training is climbing the rankings again, but the focus has shifted from aesthetics to preventative health.

Resistance training is now prescribed for women, older adults, and clients managing chronic conditions. Programming prioritises joint health, movement literacy, and functional strength, rather than max lifts.

This shift demands more education and individualisation from trainers. However, those who are able to navigate this shift will capitalise on a demographic keen to ‘stick with them’ for the long-haul.

4. Exercise for Mental Health Isn’t a Bonus

Exercise is increasingly valued for what it does to the mind, not just the body. Australians are training to manage anxiety, stress, and mood. Making psychological wellbeing one of the primary reason to exercise.

Shaun notes, “It’s no longer about slow yoga or light sessions to satisfy mental health. Resistance, cardio, and mind-body practices all play a role. If a session doesn’t improve how someone feels tomorrow, we’ve missed the point.”

5. Recovery, Mobility, and Wearables: The Unsung Heroes

Mobility, recovery training, and wearable tech are quietly transforming how we interact with fitness.
We are, more than ever, tracking sleep, our heart rate, and recovery scores, and trainers are expected to interpret the data to design smarter, more personalised programs. Recovery and mobility are no longer optional, they’re essential for long-term health and sustainable performance.

What This Means for the Industry

The takeaway from 2026 is not a list of popular classes, but a directional shift. The Australian fitness industry is growing up: it’s inclusive, health-integrated, and aligned with real-life needs.
Extreme aesthetics and intensity are fading. Longevity, Pilates, strength, and mental health are central. Trainers and gym owners who coach for life, not just short-term results, are the ones in demand right now.

As the Shaun puts it: “Fitness in 2026 is about helping people move well, feel strong, and stay independent for as long as possible. For the first time in a long while, the industry is heading in the right direction.”


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