# Fitness Trends to Watch in 2026
As the year draws to a close, speculation is mounting over which fashion, home and beauty trends will define 2026 – but we are keen to know what will dominate the fantastic world of fitness.
Reformer pilates,HYROX and padel ruled the fitness space and our Instagram feeds this year,however a fresh wave of workout trends are on the horizon.
We spoke to an array of fitness experts who shared their predictions on which activities are set to surge in popularity next year.## Trail running
“We’ve seen a huge rise in road running and an explosion in run clubs this year, but I think trail running is going to be much bigger in 2026,” says personal trainer and running, strength and conditioning coach Eryn Barber. “In trail running there’s less of an emphasis on certain speeds at different distances, becuase it completely differs depending on the terrain and the elevation, and it’s more about being in nature.
“I know that there’s also a push to try and get trail running into the Olympics,so I think that in itself will bring trail running to light a bit more and will increase its popularity.”
Lots of run clubs around Ireland offer trail running sessions.
“I have recently seen quite a lot of the city run clubs do days out trail running,” says Barber, who is also the marketing and partnerships manager at personal training course provider The Fitness Group. “Going in a group is a good idea as it’s safer and it helps you get to know what the routes and the terrain are like.”
## Hot yoga and Pilates
“I have seen lots of hot Pilates studios popping up around Manchester and I think the popularity of this is going to increase in 2026,” says Barber. “Pilates and yoga are generally considered low-impact exercises, so adding that element of heat increases the heart rate, sweat and feeling of working out more.”
Nick Higgins, co-founder and head of teaching at Hotpod Yoga, agrees and says hot yoga classes attract a range of demographics.
“Our classes attract people in their late teens all the way up to people in their late 60s for all sorts of reasons,” says Higgins.”From a physical standpoint, I think a lot of younger individuals use it as a recovery tool to counter hard-impact activities, like running for example, and are doing as it helps release the built-up tension in the body.It also helps people stay limber and is very therapeutic from a mental health perspective.
“I think there will be lots more hybrids of different physical exercise happening in heated environments and I think that’s a grea
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