Fitness trends have seen a shift over the years with people’s preferences changing from quick-fix workouts to more sustainable practices to feel better inside and out. In 2025, fitness was more than just heading to the gym or increasing the step count, but also about slowing down, breathing better, and building strength without straining yourself. With stress taking over every aspect of our life, the mad rush to mechanically shed weight doesn’t work anymore. As fun blended with fitness, and mindfulness merged with movement, 2025 became a year that showed us the way to become a better version of ourselves in 2026.
“If 2025 taught us one thing, it’s this: fitness doesn’t have to be exhausting to be effective. This year’s biggest trends focused on movement you can actually stick with. Japanese walking, with its focus on posture and short daily walks, proved perfect for busy schedules. Mindful movement encourages people to slow down, breathe better, and move with intention—ideal for stress relief. Pilates remained a favorite for building strength without strain, while beach workouts turned exercise into a mini escape, blending fun with fitness,” Dr. Mayank Vijayvargiya
Consultant Orthopedics, Joint Replacement, Complex Trauma and Reconstruction, PD Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mahim told Financial Express.com.
Here are the fitness trends of 2025 that reflected our evolving relationship with fitness and wellbeing.
Forest bathing
Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, forest bathing is all about soaking yourself in a natural environment, engaging all your senses with the environment. Stress has become one of the top reasons for weight gain. A study published in the journal Nutrition points to a relationship between stress, eating behaviour and obesity. Forest bathing is all about slowing down, resisting the temptation to take pictures, and being fully engaged with the elements of nature. The practice is even effective if done for 15-20 minutes. Spending just 20 minutes in nature can help lower stress hormone levels, according to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology.
Japanese walking
Brisk walking has many benefits, but the fitness trend that had everyone talking this year was Japanese walking. Combining the benefits of fast and slow, this unique walking style alternates between the two and offers the best of both worlds. If counting steps is proving exhausting, this one is likely to eliminate the need altogether. Japanese walking involves alternating between several minutes of brisk, intense walking and several minutes of slow walking over a half-hour session. According to Harvard- and Stanford-trained Dr Saurabh Sethi, this style of walking helps lower blood pressure, reduce stroke risk, improve mood and sleep quality, strengthen immunity, and ease joint strain that can come with long, continuous walks.
Mindful movement
Move over high-intensity interval training and punishing exercise schedule, 2025 was dominated by mindful movement, the one that’s kind to your body, and encourages breathing, restoration, and recovery. In the fast-paced era we are living in, fast and aggressive workouts are being increasingly ditched by people in favour of exercises that allow you to be present in the moment and listen to the body. Speed=stress. Slowing down=recovery. As hormonal issues and inflammation increasingly affect people’s well being, workouts like pilates, yoga, and micro movements are becoming popular. These workouts help with nervous system regulation as most of the people are living under constant stress.
3-2-8 method
Balance is the need of the hour and in 2025, fitness trends reflected this change. The 3-2-8 method emerged as a simple, low-pressure way to stay active without burning out. Built around balance rather than intensity, the method involves three days of strength training, two days of Pilates or mobility-focused workouts, and eight thousand steps spread across the week. Considering its flexibility, the 3-2-8 method is finding favour among people looking for consistency over extremes. The workout also allows room for recovery while still building strength, improving posture, and supporting overall wellbeing. In a year that favoured sustainable fitness, it stood out for making movement feel achievable rather than overwhelming.
