Let’s Get Physical: Fitness Trends For 2025
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioSports.com

In the fitness world, as with any sector of society, there are lies, damn lies and statistics. But this year’s canfitpro Top 100 Fitness, Health & Wellness Trends Report carries some solid backing in terms of the latest shifts in the Canadian fitness industry, and trends we are seeing in 2025.

That report, based on responses from hundreds of fitness professionals across Canada, indicated that “Canadians are using fitness to invest in more than just physical strength,” according to canfitpro COO Maureen ‘Mo’ Hagan. “They’re prioritizing every aspect of their wellbeing. With trends like social workouts, functional fitness and active aging, we’re seeing more people turn to fitness for improved quality of life. They’re building resilience and taking time for the habits and practices that enhance their lives.”

Mo should know. I first interviewed the fitness guru back in the 1980s when women’s workout apparel resembled an Olivia Newton-John Let’s Get Physical video.

Alas, we are all getting older. In fact, active aging and older adult training remain top trends for Canadians as adults in every age group look to the future and prioritize their ability to stay strong and mobile for their entire lives. Gym goers are practicing lower impact workouts that help strengthen joints and build stability, preventing degenerative aging and improving mobility in the long term.

Cheryl Pattyn, a veteran fitness trainer based in Ilderton, works with clients ranging from teens to seniors, and she, too, sees seniors exercising like never before.

Cheryl Pattyn

“Regardless of your age, it’s about finding an activity that you are passionate about,” advised Pattyn in terms of sticking with fitness. “It could be hiking, cycling or swimming. It’s a matter of finding something you like to do – if you like it, you’ll stay active doing it. But if you don’t like it, then you’re constantly negotiating with yourself. Pickleball has taken off like wildfire with seniors, and a big part of its draw is the social aspect.”

The canfitpro study echoes Pattyn’s assessment in its finding that group fitness and community engagement rose in popularity throughout 2024, and is growing in 2025. “People are looking for a community – a social space outside of work or their homes,” said Jennifer Sawyer, founder of North End Fitness and Training in Port Perry, Ont. “Fitness is their space to have fun and stay connected, whether that’s in their local fitness studio, their favourite workout class or through community fitness challenges online.”

Avoid The Rabbit Hole

Minding our mental health, mindfulness and stress reduction became top trends in 2024 and remain high priorities. As public understanding of the connection between physical activity and mental health grows, fitness professionals are supporting their clients by pursuing additional education in how to utilize fitness as a tool to reduce stress, build confidence and support mental wellbeing.

Still, too many of us, including youth, are depending on screens and devices to ease our pain – and that leads to struggles including childhood obesity and even diabetes.

“Adults are no better, as far as staring at screens goes,” Pattyn said. “It’s a way to be distracted from either what should be done or what can be done, and a way to numb yourself from the day.

“Being on screens for hours, for example scrolling on social media other than for necessary work or school purposes, is just another way for people to be distracted from the stresses of life,” she explained. “Rather than having a few drinks, you might stay on your phone for two or three hours in social media rabbit holes. And children are learning at a very early age that if you’re bored, then instead of playing outdoors with your friends or riding a bike, instead you just sit inside with your iPad or phone.”

Pattyn said that habit is “creating a lot of postural problems, too. A lot more kids are not physically active and are getting a rounded posture – head forward – because of phone use.”

Nutrition and meal planning – investing in intentional nutrition – is helping more people to reach their fitness goals and support their health while still enjoying their diet by focusing on fun, manageable, nutrient dense meals. And, technology-driven training continues to grow exponentially. This includes wearable tech and online training programs, as well as workouts personalized by artificial intelligence (AI) and smart equipment like Evolt bio scanners that provide detailed data about the body to help set goals and track progress.

But beware the technology rabbit hole, too, warns Pattyn.

“There are pros and cons to using technology. It’s a great method, especially when it comes to tracking sleep, and tracking steps. But when it comes to tracking workouts or efforts – I’ve never worn one. I don’t see the point in that,” she admitted.

“As long as you are showing up and challenging yourself every time, then I don’t think you need technology telling you that you closed an exercise ring. If a watch tells you you’re halfway through your workout but your exercise ring is closed, are you going to finish the last half of your workout with the same amount of intensity?”

Pattyn said apps for monitoring your sleep habits are good tools. “We all know that without good sleep, it’s a trickle effect as to your energy levels, your food cravings, the amount of intensity you can do when training. So managing your steps and monitoring your sleep is great, but I don’t think it has to be anything past that,” Pattyn advised.

When it comes down to brass tacks, keeping motivated to make fitness a daily routine is the key to success.

“But I think a lot of it boils down to being realistic with your expectations,” recommends Pattyn. “It comes down to people doing too much too fast. So it could mean, doing something once or twice a week for as long as you can see, versus five days a week for a full hour at the gym. What happens is, some can’t keep up with what they think they need to do, and then it’s the all-or-nothing mentality.

“I would rather have a client come to my small group classes consistently once a week for months, versus four or five times a week and then all of a sudden not show up for a month,” Pattyn said.

AI can simulate real exercise, but when it comes to our health, we can’t fake fitness. Finding your passion to get physical is the key.

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Award-winning writer and broadcaster Jeffrey Reed has written and talked about fitness for more than 40 years. Contact him at jeff@londonontariosports.com.