The Future of Movement: Report Reveals What’s Next in Fitness
A new global report commissioned by Your Reformer ® and SOON Future Studios has revealed striking insights into how and why people are moving their bodies—and what the future of fitness looks like. Surveying over 1,200 fitness consumers worldwide, the report uncovers a growing demand for more flexible, inclusive, and longevity-focused movement solutions.
A Shift Beyond Routine
One of the most notable findings? 65% of respondents tried a new form of exercise in the past year, venturing beyond their usual routines. This signals a clear appetite for variety and adaptability—whether through hybrid modalities, creative class formats, or emerging practices like breathwork, mobility flows, or ice bath recovery.
However, despite this enthusiasm for movement, nearly half of participants cited cost, access, or time as major barriers to regular exercise. This underlines a critical opportunity: the fitness industry must innovate to offer lower-cost, time-flexible, and digitally accessible solutions that meet people where they are.
Inclusive Fitness on the Rise
The inclusive fitness market is booming, with a projected global growth from $6.09 billion in 2024 to $11.97 billion by 2032. These numbers reflect a broader cultural shift—away from elite, aesthetic-driven ideals of fitness and toward more accessible, holistic, and inclusive approaches that cater to all bodies and life stages.
Longevity Is the New Motivation
Rather than chasing aesthetic goals, 85% of respondents said that longevity (staying active into later years) is very important in their current exercise choices. With the number of people over 60 expected to more than double to 2.1 billion globally by 2050, movement for healthspan, not just lifespan, is becoming the new north star.
This trend is already shaping how people move: roughly 4 in 10 engage in recovery practices like stretching, mobility work, or cold exposure multiple times a week, indicating a growing focus on sustainable performance and injury prevention over intensity alone.
The Wellness Era Has Arrived
In a defining moment, 60% of those surveyed said health and wellness is now their top life priority, outranking career or financial goals. Movement is no longer a side hobby—it’s a pillar of personal wellbeing and mental resilience.
Supporting this, 98% agreed they manage stress better when they prioritise movement. Whether through a morning Pilates session or a lunchtime walk, fitness has become a primary tool for mental health maintenance.
Technology as an Accountability Partner
Technology is playing an essential role in keeping people consistent. Around 40% of respondents rely heavily on tech—from fitness apps to wearables—to guide and track their workouts. Even more—65%—said that apps or online fitness communities helped them stay accountable in some capacity.
As digital platforms evolve, and consumers demand more personalised, convenient, and community-driven fitness experiences, the findings from this report offer a clear message: the future of movement is inclusive, longevity-focused, flexible, and deeply connected to how we live—and how we want to age.
Your Reformer and SOON Future Studios say the findings will inform their future offerings, as they continue to design experiences that support modern movers of every kind.
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