The long run of fitness is all about functional movement. 

As in-studio fitness class bookings reach pre-pandemic levels, in response to data from wellness booking platform Mindbody, a latest crop of trends is arising. Following the pandemic, fitness became less about weight reduction and aesthetics, and more about supporting mental well-being. Now, the category has taken on a latest role, because the deal with longevity continues to extend. 

“Consumers are more interested by moving higher for longer,” said Lauren McAlister, a Mindbody and ClassPass Wellness Council member. “We’ve been seeing a noticeable rise in low-impact workouts, like Pilates, yoga. More holistically, we’re seeing an increased interest in fitness and understanding for longevity.” 

With this, functional fitness — or workouts that support on a regular basis movement — have risen in popularity, including strength training and Pilates. 

“Longevity is actually the important thing and so consequently, people need to those low-intensity and low-impact training and a little bit bit less of that high-intensity training,” McAlister said. 

Although some high-intensity cardio workouts, like cycling, are still popular, the corporate has seen consumers opt for extra recovery classes. “They’re in search of a more balanced program, so incorporating each varieties of modalities…They’re looking to enhance those high-intensity workouts with those low-intensity [workouts] after which ensuring that they’re recovering well,” McAlister said. 

Here, the highest 10 fitness modalities booked on Mindbody between July 2022 and July 2023.