It is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions: getting more exercise. On New Year's Eve, you promise yourself that you will finally exercise more again or start exercising again in the new year. That's the resolution – but whether and how long this praiseworthy resolution is kept is a completely different story. According to statistics, "getting more exercise" is even at the top of the list of good New Year's resolutions for 2025. One thing is certain: anyone who finds their chosen sport fascinating or simply has a lot of fun doing it is much more likely to stick with it consistently. However, we often observe the exact opposite. Shortly after New Year's, gyms are completely packed with resolution-makers, and after 4 to 6 weeks, this mass phenomenon has already corrected itself downward, with the first people disappearing as inactive members. So let's take a look together at which sports are trending for 2025 – maybe you'll really feel like giving one of them a try? In the best-case scenario, you'll enjoy it so much that you stick with it and it becomes your new favorite sport.
New types of workouts
There are some sports or training forms on the sports market that are still rather young and little known, but have the potential to become big in the world of fitness and movement in 2025. We present a few of these fascinating new sports trends for 2025:
Reformer Pilates
Pilates should be a familiar term to anyone interested in sports, right? Even if you haven't tried Pilates yourself yet, you probably have a rough idea: lots of static strengthening and holding exercises – either on the mat or using equipment designed primarily to target deeper muscle layers. Small and intense. Reformer Pilates now focuses on one of these tools. What exactly is the Pilates Reformer? Visually speaking, it is a cross between a bed and a carriage on which individual exercises are performed. This central carriage plate glides back and forth on rails and is held under tension by springs. A kind of frame can also be built above the base frame so that spring-guided straps allow you to train at height as well. In the US, this type of Pilates training is quite widespread – here in Europe, however, Pilates exercises have almost always been performed on the mat until now. That is currently changing. Reformer Pilates is trending. The smooth, gliding movements are paired with a controlled breathing technique, making them both demanding and calming at the same time.
Hyrox
Hyrox is a trending sport that is truly exciting. In short, it is a mix of functional strength training, HIIT (high-intensity interval training), and endurance sports. Sounds exhausting, and it is. Hyrox is practiced worldwide as a competitive sport. You can do it alone, in pairs, or as a four-person relay team. During a 1 km obstacle run, there are stationary stops where various exercises must be performed. Many fitness studios have recognized the trend and are now including Hyrox in their class schedules.
Hybrid forms of training: Padel and Teqball
You don't always have to reinvent the (sports) wheel: sometimes it's enough to simply combine two sports with each other to create a new, exciting discipline. One of these combo forms is padel, which is a mix of tennis and squash. The court is slightly smaller than a tennis court and also features typical squash walls. So, in addition to a special padel racket and ball, you also use the floor and walls to play, which makes the game much more dynamic. Another sports combination is called Teqball, where soccer and table tennis meet. This increasingly popular sport is played on a curved table with a soccer ball. You can play using your knees, feet, head, or chest, requiring a combination of skill, endurance, and technique.
Still trending in sports and fitness for 2025
Fitness for older adults and seniors
Of course, senior fitness is nothing new. Until now, however, there was always a slightly dusty image surrounding this topic, reminiscent of adult education classes or water gymnastics in the kids' pool. That is currently changing. Programs and training sessions tailored specifically to the needs of seniors are trending. In addition, more and more older adults are going to the gym, making them a lucrative target group that shouldn't be underestimated and should be catered to. Motivation is usually already present: older adults who recognize the necessity of staying fit and healthy through exercise in old age generally bring the necessary self-motivation to do something for their own health in the long run. So if you already belong to this group: find out where there are courses or gyms near you that offer something special for you. This could be strength training for seniors or special sports offerings for so-called best agers.
Functional fitness, weight loss, and traditional strength training
Sports such as functional fitness or completely traditional strength training remain in high demand. Weight loss workouts also continue to be very popular and rank near the top of many people's New Year's resolution wish lists. Additionally, the area of wearables (smartwatches, heart rate monitors, and other fitness trackers) and fitness apps continues to expand, featuring new technical capabilities that make training easier and more exciting. Exercises in the realm of wellness and mental health also remain popular and continue to be well received.
So you see, the fitness and sports market never stands still. There are always new sports trends, technical developments, and interesting training forms. Just try out new things and sports that seem interesting to you – and who knows, maybe your new favorite sport is among them.
