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Wearable technology ranks as the leading fitness trend for 2027 in the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual survey, marking its 10th time at No. 1 since 2016. Mobile exercise apps rose to second place, balance, flow and core strength reached third, and group fitness made one of the largest jumps, moving from 13th to seventh.
Wearable technology has again ranked as the leading fitness trend for the coming year, placing No. 1 in the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) 2027 Worldwide Fitness Trends report. The annual survey also puts mobile exercise apps at No. 2 and balance, flow and core-strength activities at No. 3, while group fitness classes climbed six places to seventh.
The report, published in ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, marks the 10th time wearables have taken the top spot since the category entered the survey in 2016. Smartwatches, fitness trackers and similar devices allow users to track measures including activity, heart rate, sleep and recovery. ACSM’s report says wearables ranked among the top three across every professional role, work setting and experience category examined.
Mobile exercise apps rose from fourth to second, reflecting demand for workouts, training plans and coaching delivered beyond traditional gyms. Balance, flow and core strength moved from fifth to third. ACSM’s category includes Pilates, yoga, barre and mobility-focused exercise, with the report connecting its rise in part to expanding Pilates offerings, including reformer classes.
Group fitness made one of the biggest gains, moving from No. 13 to No. 7. Fitness programs for older adults ranked fourth, while traditional strength training rose two places to fifth. Exercise for weight management was sixth, and data-driven training technology held at eighth. The source report also places exercise for mental health and well-being in the top 10 for a fourth consecutive year, though the supplied material does not include the complete rankings below that point.
The rankings suggest fitness professionals expect both digital tools and in-person experiences to shape the industry in 2027. Wearables and apps can support activity tracking and exercise outside a gym, while the rise in group classes points to continued demand for instructor-led sessions and the social aspects of working out. These are signals from a survey of expected industry trends, not direct measurements of consumer participation or proof that a particular format produces better results.
The report also highlights business and programming considerations for gyms, studios and trainers. A mix of app-based services, group classes and strength or mobility programs may help providers respond to varied interests and life stages. ACSM’s continued high ranking for older-adult programming, alongside traditional strength training, underscores the attention the survey gives to maintaining physical function as people age.
Weight-management programming has added relevance as use of GLP-1 and other anti-obesity medications grows, according to the report. ACSM says exercise can support strength and the preservation of lean muscle for people using these medicines. That guidance is a fitness-programming point, not a claim that exercise replaces medication or medical advice.
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How ACSM Builds Its Annual Ranking
ACSM’s report is in its 21st year and identifies trends fitness professionals expect to have the greatest influence on the industry in the coming year. It is a forecast based on survey responses, rather than a census of exercise habits or a ranking of the most-used products and services.
Wearable technology first appeared as a survey category in 2016, according to the source report. Its repeated top ranking is one measure of its staying power among respondents, while the year-to-year movement in other categories shows changes in professional expectations. The report’s categories are broad: for example, “balance, flow and core strength” groups several different exercise formats rather than ranking Pilates or yoga separately.
Lead author Cayla McAvoy, chair of ACSM’s Trends Workgroup, said the rankings reflect technology’s role as well as interest in shared exercise experiences and programming for different stages of life. The supplied report does not provide detailed survey methodology, response counts or a full breakdown of responses by region.
““Technology continues to shape how people approach fitness, but this year’s rankings also highlight the value of shared experiences and programs that fit different stages of life.””
— Cayla McAvoy, lead author and chair of ACSM’s Trends Workgroup
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What the Survey Cannot Show
The rankings describe fitness professionals’ expectations, not verified changes in consumer behavior, gym attendance or sales. The supplied source does not give the survey’s sample size, field dates, response rate or detailed methodology, so readers cannot assess from this material how representative the rankings are or how large the differences between positions may be.
It is also unclear whether the gains for apps, Pilates-related activity and group classes will translate into sustained participation or lasting business growth. The report identifies them as trends to watch; it does not establish that every consumer is adopting them or that one format is more effective than another. The provided source excerpt does not list every position in the top 20, so lower-ranked trends cannot be fully assessed here.
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How Providers Respond in 2027
The rankings point fitness operators toward areas to monitor as they plan classes, services and programming for 2027. Gyms and studios may respond to interest in wearable-linked training and mobile apps while also developing group sessions, Pilates and mobility offerings, strength programs and classes tailored to older adults. The report does not say which providers will make those changes or set a timeline for specific launches.
Further detail on survey methods and the complete trend list would help readers judge how the results compare across respondents and years. In the meantime, ACSM’s report is best read as a snapshot of professional expectations for the year ahead, rather than a guarantee of what consumers will choose.
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Key Questions
What is ACSM’s top fitness trend for 2027?
Wearable technology ranks No. 1 in ACSM’s 2027 Worldwide Fitness Trends report. The category includes devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers.
How many times have wearables ranked No. 1?
According to the source report, wearable technology has ranked first 10 times since it entered the survey in 2016.
Which trends rose most in the new ranking?
Group fitness classes climbed six places, from 13th to seventh. Mobile exercise apps moved from fourth to second, while balance, flow and core strength rose from fifth to third.
Does the ranking show what consumers are doing?
No. The report identifies trends fitness professionals expect to influence the industry. The supplied material does not establish consumer participation levels or prove that a trend will grow in practice.
What does ACSM include in balance, flow and core strength?
The category includes Pilates, yoga, barre and mobility-focused exercise, along with activities aimed at balance, flexibility and movement control.
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