It’s not just food, music, architecture, language, and style of dress… movement looks different depending on where you are in the world. And that’s one of the most dynamic and interesting parts of our industry.
We’re taking a moment to go on a little around-the-world fitness tour, looking at some global, cultural trends to inspire what we’re doing on our own turf. From dance-fueled workouts in Brazil to social walking clubs in Japan, from Scandinavia’s love of cold-water immersion to the UK’s booming competitive fitness events, cultures across hemispheres bring their own traditions and innovations to the way people stay active.
Ahead, you’ll find fresh inspiration for how we can be designing programs, connecting with communities, and keeping fitness fun and inclusive. Ready to travel? Here’s your global inspiration for local programming.
United Kingdom: Competition is King
The UK’s most recent trend? A little good old fashioned competition. Competitive fitness events, such as Hyrox, Spartan, and DEKA are booming.
Take Hyrox, for example: globally, participation jumped from 175,000 (in the 2023 to 2024 season) to 650,000 (2024 to 2025) worldwide. That’s nearly a 300% YOY increase! But if we zoom into the UK stats, it’s even more staggering. Growth exploded from 7,400 athletes to 97,000 last season, with events consistently selling out, marking a 1,211% increase over two years.
Gyms are taking note. Chains like The Gym Group are integrating Hyrox-style training, attracting Gen Z members who want to integrate this cross section of fitness, social competition, and mental health.
Takeaway for gyms: event-style programming can boost memberships, create community, and add a fresh layer of motivation that keeps members engaged.
Japan: Group Walking Clubs
Japan has a rich history of social walking, and today organized walking groups remain a cornerstone of Japan’s community health culture, especially among older adults (perhaps this is part of what makes Okinawa one of the world’s five Blue Zones).
This type of exercise is seen as a social ritual as much as a fitness activity, combining light movement with connection and accountability.
Local governments often sponsor or support these clubs as part of public health initiatives.
Takeaway for gyms: walking clubs (indoor treadmills or outdoor groups) can extend beyond seniors. Appeal to clients of all ages who want approachable, low-impact, and social ways to move. Read more about incorporating walking in your trainer toolkit here.
Brazil, Nigeria, & Philippines → Dance-Based Fitness
From samba to Zumba, the southern hemisphere is leading the dance-fitness trend.
In Brazil, dance-inspired fitness classes are wildly popular nationwide, blending cardio, rhythm, and cultural pride. Heading west to the Philippines, you’ll find Zumba is a national phenomenon; in 2023, a Guinness World Record Zumba class in Pili drew over 14,000 participants. These classes and events are often organized through community centers, schools, and even church groups.
Afrobeat and Afro-dance cardio are also surging in Nigeria, drawing big crowds both in-person and online, with instructors gaining traction across Lagos and Abuja. These formats often appear at wellness festivals and community events, making them as much about connection as exercise.
Though the expressions differ across cultures, the shared heartbeat is clear: dance is an expressive, joy-driven, and accessible entry point into fitness.
Takeaway for gyms: This one’s easy! Leaning into dance formats — Zumba, Latin dance, Afro-dance, K-pop dance — to create fun, inclusive programming with global appeal.
Scandinavia: Cold Temperatures
Cold immersion and outdoor endurance (in cold temperatures) are northern trends that have impacted the global wellness market.
Playing with hot and cold — in therapeutic fashion — is nothing new to this demographic; cold-water swimming and sauna contrast therapy are embedded in Nordic culture. And outdoor movement such as skiing, hiking, and cycling — all typically taking place in frigid temps — reinforces the Scandinavian model of fitness as lifestyle, not just gym time.
Specifically in Norway, this endurance is improving VO2 max, which has been a regionally specific trend. Norway’s VO2 max interval protocol (used by Olympic athletes) has become a benchmark in endurance training research.
Takeaway for gyms: Recovery spaces, contrast therapy, and evidence-based endurance programming are increasingly relevant — and can set facilities apart in a competitive market. Read our newsletter from last month for more tips on this topic.
Colombia: (Car-Free) Outdoor Workouts
Ciclovía (car-free fitness streets) have been sweeping the nation of Colombia. Every Sunday, Bogotá closes about 75 miles of roads, drawing over one million participants to get out and move. This is similar to a movement in France, called Paris Respire (Paris breathes) in which main roads, including the iconic Champs-Élysées, close to cars in order to let people walk, bike, and move freely.
Benefits include inclusivity, mental well-being, and stronger community ties, especially in areas with limited green space (MDPI, ResearchGate).
Cost–benefit analysis shows Ciclovías are extremely efficient public health programs.
Takeaway for gyms: There may be an opportunity to partner with cities on outdoor activations, host pop-up workouts, or extend the gym experience into community spaces. We have some tips on getting your clients outside, here.
South Africa: Mixed Format
At the very bottom of the African continent, fitness studios are mixing formats. Think: boxing + HIIT, yoga + strength. And yes, dance + cardio fusions are popular. In fact, TikTok dance challenges and Afro-dance classes (in mixed format) are fueling a very youth-driven, dance-oriented fitness culture.
Takeaway for gyms: Hybrid classes keep programming fresh and adaptable, while Afro-dance and other culturally resonant formats can attract younger members and build strong community appeal.
Bringing It Home
While these trends may look different on the surface, the throughline is clear: movement is most powerful when it’s cultural, social, and joyful. Whether it’s dance, walking, outdoor immersion, or competitive events, each format offers a reminder that fitness doesn’t have to be confined to four walls — and that clubs and trainers can borrow inspiration from anywhere in the world. The opportunity lies in translating these global practices into local programs that spark connection, build community, and keep people coming back.
—-------------------------------
Industry Happenings:
Upcoming Events:
- European Congress Powered by Health & Fitness, October 13-15, 2025, Anaheim, California
- Mental Health America Conference, October 16-17, 2025, Washington, D.C.
- Athletic Business Show, November 5-8, 2025, San Diego, California
- Boston Mania®, November 14-16, 2025, Danvers, Massachusetts
—------------------------------------------------
Upcoming Workshops in October & November:
- 20+ workshops from Peak Pilates
- 20+ workshops from Spinning®
- 20+ workshops from TRX®
- 13 workshops from Oxygen Advantage
- 13 workshops from Exos
- 10 workshops from ART
- 3 workshops from ART
- 1 workshop from Eleiko
- 1 workshop from Nordic Flow Academy
- 1 workshop from Power Plate
—------------------------------------------------
Industry News:
- 43% of Millennials are using paid time off just to catch up on sleep.
- Life Time Foundation empowers schools to serve healthier meals with Green Onion online tool.
- EoS Fitness becomes the first large gym operator in the US to launch EGYM Genius AI.
- New LA studio combinesPilates, yoga & trampoline-based fitness.
- SuppCo testing finds half of products bought anonymously on Amazon contained little to no NAD+.
—------------------------------------------------
Thanks for Reading!
This newsletter was brought to you by Kathie Davis, Peter Davis, Ravi Sharma, Dominique Astorino, and the Inspire360 team.
—------------------------------------------------
A Note from Peter & Kathie
The industry is changing rapidly and we are here to help you sift through all the noise and get to the good stuff. Every month, we'll bring you trending topics and the inside scoop that we believe is paramount for fitness professionals to know.
Keep Inspiring,
Peter & Kathie Davis
Want to get this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to receive the Inspire360 Global Fitness Newsletter here.
