13 Hot Trends In Personal Training Industry

Feb 7, 2023 - 11 min read
A personal trainer training his client

Are you looking to get ahead of the hottest trends in personal training industry? From virtual sessions to specialized programs and everything in between, there is a lot to consider when it comes to keeping up with current industry practices.

With people increasingly turning towards home fitness programs due to the last two years of COVID-19-related restrictions, the personal training sector has seen tremendous growth over the past year – research suggests that the U.S. market for digital fitness and well-being should reach $25 billion by 2025 .

That’s a huge opportunity for those wanting to start or advance their career as a certified trainer. To stay on top of the game, fitness professionals have to be aware of the latest trends in the personal training industry and changing technology.

So let’s dive into today’s topic and discover some crucial insights about the personal trainer space!

1. Technology Is Becoming More Important

Technology has been a part of the personal trainers’ industry for years now, but it’s becoming increasingly important as tech advances and becomes more advanced.

For example, there are tools such as Virtuagym’s Personal Trainer Software that enable trainers to track their clients’ progress and send them workout plans remotely.

These technologies can help you enhance your personal training services vastly. There are even virtual reality applications that can be used to create immersive fitness experiences for clients.

As technology continues to advance, it will become an even more important part of the personal training landscape.

2. Specialization Is Gaining Popularity

A personal trainer educating his client on nutrition, demonstrating specialization trends in personal training industry

Trainers are no longer just generalists; they’re beginning to specialize in specific areas such as strength training, yoga, Pilates, nutrition coaching, and more.

This trend is making it easier for trainers to differentiate themselves from each other and target specific markets that their specialized skills can help serve better than generalist trainers can.

3. More Trainers Are Getting Certified

A person holding a fitness certification in their hand

Certification has long been seen as a sign of credibility in the personal training industry.

However, many trainers have shied away from certification because of its cost or complexity.

Recently, however, certification programs have become more affordable and accessible than ever before – which means that more fitness enthusiasts fulfilling their dream of becoming a certified personal trainer than ever before.

This trend is likely to continue as certification programs become even more accessible over time.

4. Group Training Is Growing In Popularity

A happy woman with her hands up outdoors

Many gym-goers are turning away from traditional one-on-one sessions with personal trainers and opting instead for group fitness classes, boot camps, and other group workouts.

Offering group classes can be an incredibly lucrative way for trainers to expand their business in the fitness industry while still maintaining a high level of quality control over each session. Plus, it allows members to get fit with friends—which makes working out much more enjoyable!

In addition, group workouts tend to be more motivating as participants get support from each other during the session – something that isn’t always possible in one-on-one training sessions with a trainer who may not be able to provide emotional support during the session itself.

A personal trainer training his clients online

Personal training clients online has been around for some time now but its popularity is growing rapidly due to its convenience and affordability compared with traditional one-on-one personal training sessions at a gym or studio.

Unlike in-person training or going to fitness centers, personal training clients online also give people access to expert advice without having to leave their homes, making it appealing for those who don’t necessarily have access to a physical gym or studio nearby.

6. Social Media Presence

A woman live streaming herself on social media

Social media has taken off as an essential marketing tool—which means that personal trainers need to start leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok if they want to stand out from the competition!

Developing a strong social media presence by posting regular fitness content not only helps increase brand visibility; it also allows potential customers or employers to get a better sense of who you are as a professional on top of seeing your qualifications on paper (or digitally) and the kind of exercise programs to expect from you.

7. Online Fitness Training Courses

A woman doing an online course on a computer screen

We live in an era where everyone has access to information at their fingertips—and this trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Aspiring personal trainers should take advantage of personal trainer online courses so they can learn best practices while building up a portfolio that showcases their skillset and experience level.

Not only will these courses help them stay ahead of the curve when it comes to current trends within the industry; but they’ll also give them an edge when competing against other established professionals for job opportunities or clients down the line.

8. Fitness App Integration

Screenshot of virtuagym’s free fitness coaching app

Apps for fitness coaches are a hot trend among those in the personal training business. They allow trainers to create customized fitness plans for their clients, typically tailored toward specific goals like weight loss.

Through fitness apps, trainers can track the progress of their clients, making it easy to adjust meal plans, workouts, and other elements of the program along the way.

Fitness apps also provide a convenient way for trainers to monitor exercises that require little or no equipment, so clients have an easier time staying on track with their program even when they’re away from a gym.

By making use of these apps, personal trainers can work more efficiently and productively with fitness apps – allowing them to better serve their clients while minimizing manual data entry.

Overall, the integration of fitness apps into the personal training business is an efficient way to improve user experience, productivity, and ROI (return on investment).

9. Mindfulness Practices

A woman meditating out in the nature

Mindfulness practices have been gaining traction as more people recognize the importance of taking care of both their body and mind when striving for peak performance levels.

Incorporating mindfulness techniques into your client’s training programs is essential if you want your clients to reach their full potential—both physically and mentally!

By teaching them meditation techniques or taking time during each session for guided reflection/breathing exercises, you can help ensure they feel balanced both inside and out after every workout session with you!

10. Smart Home-Gym

A man doing push ups

The popularity of at-home fitness has been steadily increasing over the past few years due to technological advancements like streaming services and interactive apps that make it easier than ever to work out from home.

A smart home gym is a perfect solution for people who want to work out in the comfort of their own homes.

It’s a great way for busy folks who don’t have time to get to the gym or go for a run. Smart home gyms utilize modern technology and integrated sensors to monitor your workout, adjusting weight and speed accordingly.

It boasts interactive touchscreen consoles that adjust each exercise program or challenge based on the user’s age, weight, and goals, so you can create custom-tailored routines tailored specifically to your needs and preferences.

Best of all, with a smart home gym, you’re never alone - they also come with specialized voice coaching programs designed by real experts; these digital instructors are always available at any time to assist whenever you need it.

11. Wearable Devices

A smart watch on the wrist of a woman

Wearable devices are quickly becoming a staple accessory for many gymgoers—and personal trainers should take note.

These devices can provide invaluable data about each client’s performance and progress, allowing trainers to fine-tune individual workout plans that maximize results while minimizing injury risk.

12. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

A woman doing HITT workout in the gym

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is one of the most popular forms of exercise today because it’s fast, effective, and offers a wide range of benefits including improved athletic performance, increased fat-burning potential, improved cardiovascular endurance, and more!

HIIT workouts typically involve short bursts of intense activity followed by brief periods of rest or recovery—and they can be modified depending on individual client needs or goals.

As a personal trainer who regularly trains clients in HIIT programs, you may benefit from using a fitness studio software system to manage your HIIT workouts.

13. Outdoor Workouts

A man and a woman playing tug of war outdoors

Outdoor exercises have always been around but lately, they’ve become even more popular as people have been looking for ways to stay active while still maintaining social distancing guidelines during COVID-19 restrictions.

Exercising outdoors offers many benefits such as improved moods due to increased exposure to natural light and fresh air, plus an increased sense of freedom away from confining walls indoors!

Not only that but outdoor workouts tend to be much more enjoyable than indoor ones since you get the chance to explore your surroundings while getting your heart rate up!

Gain a Competitive Edge

By staying on top of the latest trends and techniques, you will be able to offer your clients a more comprehensive workout that can help them reach their goals faster and easier. This will make you stand out from other trainers and give you an edge over your competition.

Being ahead of the curve can also help you attract new clients who are looking for an experienced and knowledgeable trainer who can provide them with cutting-edge exercises and techniques.

Increase Your Knowledge Base

The best way for personal trainers to stay ahead of the game is to continually educate themselves on new techniques and strategies that can help their clients achieve their goals safely and healthily.

By increasing your knowledge base, you can better understand how different exercises affect different body types so that you can tailor each workout to maximize results for each client.

Additionally, staying informed on current research in nutrition and exercise science can help you create customized meal plans for your clients which will lead to even better results for them.

Expand Your Skillset

Staying up-to-date with current trends allows you as a personal trainer to expand your skill set by learning new exercises, equipment, or even technology they may not have been aware of previously.

This newfound knowledge will give you more options when it comes to planning workouts which keep things interesting for both you and your clients because no two sessions are ever exactly alike.

Not only does this enable you to provide a more varied experience but it also allows exploring different ways of working out that could potentially yield better results than traditional methods used by other trainers.

Keep Up With Technology

Technology has revolutionized many aspects of our lives including how we exercise!

Portable fitness devices like smart watches or activity trackers allow you to track your client’s progress in real-time while apps like Virtuagym’s Free Fitness Coaching App give you access to personalized coaching programs tailored specifically towards clients’ goals – something that was nearly impossible just a few years ago!

For personal trainers, having an understanding of these technologies provides an advantage when creating workout plans as they can use data collected from these devices as part of their programming process which helps optimize each session for maximum efficiency and effectiveness!

Stay Motivated

Staying informed on fitness trends will help you stay motivated by allowing you access to information about what’s happening in the industry so you always have something new and exciting you are working towards achieving!

Plus, being aware of what others are doing helps inspire creativity within oneself which leads one down a path they may have never considered before – making every day at work more enjoyable!

How the Job Market is Shifting for Personal Trainers?

The world of personal training is a booming industry. With more and more people wanting to get in shape and stay healthy, the need for qualified personal trainers is on the rise.

But what does this mean for people looking to break into the field or established professionals looking to stay ahead?

Let’s take a look at where things are headed in the future of the personal trainer job market.

A Growing Demand

According to recent reports , there are currently over 829,645 personal trainers employed in the United States, with that number expected to grow by 10 percent over the next decade.

This is largely due to an increased emphasis on physical fitness and well-being as part of a healthy lifestyle.

People want access to resources that can help them reach their goals, whether it’s weight loss, building muscle, or just becoming better at their favorite sport. That’s why the demand for qualified trainers has never been higher.

The Future of Personal Training

The future looks bright for those looking to become personal trainers.

As technology advances, so too does our ability to measure progress and track results with exacting accuracy – something that was once impossible just a few years ago.

Everything from apps that track your food intake and caloric expenditure to wearable health monitors has opened up new possibilities in terms of personalized training programs tailored specifically toward individual needs.

This means that more people will be looking for experienced personal trainers who know how best to utilize these tools and develop effective plans based on them.

Competition & Opportunity

As with any job market, increased demand also means increased competition among those vying for positions as personal trainers.

To remain competitive you must understand what makes you unique and how you can use those strengths to stand out from the crowd of aspiring professionals all hoping for the same position or contract.

So don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to marketing yourself; learn how social media works and make sure your website looks professional; brush up on your communication skills; keep an open mind when exploring different career opportunities; and most importantly believe in yourself!

Conclusion

For personal trainers staying abreast of industry trends is important if you want to remain competitive in today’s market—and that goes double when it comes to personal training!

We hope that this list has given you some food for thought on how best to keep up with current trends so that your business remains successful now and into the future.

Join 51,035 other fitness professionals and get free updates

By submitting this form you agree to our privacy statement

Eduardo Carreras

SEO Manager

Eduardo Carreras is Virtuagym's SEO Manager. With a background in sports & fitness and over a decade of Digital Marketing experience, he approaches the health-tech industry with passion and structure alike.