Some of the major trends in working out are leaning into technological advancements, more programs and options for elderly adults and the idea that mental wellness is equally as important as physical fitness. Those are the observations being made by local gym owners and managers as well as a nationa l report by the American College of Sports Medicine. Corrie O’Donnell, owner of HotWorx in Mentor, said it isn’t just about weight loss anymore and she believes people want results quicker than ever. Mentor Community Recreation Center is one of many locations in Lake County where residents can go to work on physical and mental well-being. (William Tilton - News-Herald) “In our busy lives today, people don’t have time to spend 60 to 90 minutes at a gym getting their workout in,” she said. “They’re looking for shorter, efficient workouts that fit into their everyday routine. This allows them to stay consistent — one of the most important things with exercise, but also the most challenging. People are looking for more results in less time. “People are prioritizing overall health and well being over weight loss,” she continued. “Exercise makes you happy and makes you feel good. Who doesn’t want that? The weight loss will come with consistency, the focus should be on feeling good and getting stronger — both mentally and physically.” HotWorx in Mentor is one of many locations in the area where residents can go to work on physical and mental well-being. (William Tilton - News-Herald) Trends that Mentor Community Recreation Center Program Coordinator Brandon Eichholz is seeing include multi-generational participation in strength-based group fitness classes like Boot Camp, Weights and Strength Training, functional fitness workouts that combine cardio and strength, active seniors engaging in cardio workouts, especially pickleball and wearable technology that keeps statistics on workouts and to add motivation. “Recovery and artificial intelligence will continue to grow in the new year,” Eicholz said. “Patrons are training hard, so incorporating recovery strategies can help reduce the risk of injury and/or overtraining. Recovery strategies include compression gear, saunas, foam roller, cold therapy or massage guns. Patrons can use AI tools to create workout and nutrition plans.” Additionally, Nick Standering, manager of the Mentor center, said those just beginning a workout routine shouldn’t be intimidated and need to know there is guidance available. “Some people don’t know where to start on their fitness journey, so my advice is to take advantage of a free assessment with one of our personal trainers from Prescription Fitness,” Standering said. “They will sit down with you and help you get started. In addition, we offer free equipment orientations daily to help members familiarize themselves with our equipment.” Mentor Community Recreation Center is one of many locations in the city where residents can go to work on physical and mental well-being. (William Tilton - News-Herald) Jason Dent, owner of GriffonRawl Combat Sports and Fitness in Mentor, said the gym has had a very good year and he encourages people to get out and improve their body and mind with some type of activity and/or exercise. “Energy breeds energy, so get/stay fit and get more done and more out of every day with even more peace of mind,” Dent said. “Either suffer for your health or suffer from poor health.” Beth Andrus, founder of Club Pilates in Willoughby and Mentor, said in in 2025, she saw a strong shift toward low-impact, results-driven workouts that prioritize longevity, mobility and overall well-being. “Members were especially drawn to reformer-based pilates because it is effective for building strength while being gentle on the joints,” Andrus said. “There was also increased interest in variety — classes incorporating TRX Suspension Training, the Chair, BOSU, barre and other props kept workouts engaging while targeting balance, flexibility and core strength. Beyond equipment, one of the biggest trends we noticed was people seeking a true mind-body connection and a supportive community rather than just a place to work out. “Our advice is simple — try it,” Andrus added. “Pilates is for every body — all ages, fitness levels, and backgrounds. Many people assume pilates is only stretching or that it’s not challenging enough, but they are often surprised by how effective and empowering it is. “At Club Pilates, we offer three to four free Intro classes every week so newcomers can learn the fundamentals, feel comfortable with the equipment and experience the benefits firsthand before committing.” Technology applications in the fitness industry continue to build momentum as wearable technology, mobile exercise apps and data-driven training technology all appear in the top 10 of the 2025 ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends. The report was published by the American College of Sports Medicine in its November/December issue of ACSM’s Health Fitness Journal. Based on the annual survey of 2,000 clinicians, researchers and practitioners in the fitness industry, wearable technology was named the number one trend for 2025, followed by mobile exercise apps and exercise programs for older adults. The outcomes of this research provide valuable data for fitness professionals, business owners and exercise enthusiasts and help inform critical business decisions and professional development plans, according to the company website. “Digital technologies are becoming more critical to the way we design, deliver and evaluate health and fitness services,” said A’Naja Newsome, a certified exercise physiologist and co-author of “2025 ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends: Future Directions of the Health and Fitness Industry.” “Wearable devices, mobile apps and data-driven training methods will create avenues for reaching new clientele and elevating fitness experiences,” she said. “The exercise professional will need to be innovative in their approach to using technology while increasing client adherence and autonomy.” Mobile exercise apps were next as the number two trend, continuing the focus on technology. One of the fastest risers on the trends list, mobile apps landed as the second biggest trend just two years after coming in at number 20. In 2023, there were 850 million fitness app downloads by nearly 370 million users. This popularity, along with complementing wearable technology, may have fueled the quick rise up the list. Looking ahead to 2026, Andrus said she expects continued growth in functional fitness and intentional movement. “People are becoming more educated about injury prevention, posture, spinal alignment and long-term health,” Andrus said. “Pilates fits perfectly into this shift. We also anticipate that smaller group training and boutique-style fitness studios — where members feel known, supported and guided by highly trained instructors — will continue to thrive. Accountability and community will be just as important as the workout itself. “Consistency comes from finding something you enjoy and feel confident doing.” ...read more read less