ATN breaks down the fitness trends with the biggest increases and decreases in Google search activity in 2025, according to PureGym’s annual report. Waking-style workouts topped the list, with Pilates and Hyrox also featuring
As the fitness and wellness industry continues to rapidly grow and change, so do people’s priorities, fueled by social media trends, brand popularity, innovations and scientific breakthroughs.
One of the best indicators of where the industry is headed is search data — and the most-searched topics may surprise you.
Athletech News breaks down the fitness trends that saw the biggest increases and decreases in Google search activity in 2025, according to data from PureGym’s annual fitness report.
Japanese Walking Tops the List
The fastest-growing trend, growing nearly 3,000% in 2025, is Japanese walking, showing the power of a relatively humble and accessible form of movement.
The workout entails walking slowly for three minutes, then walking quickly at a hard effort for three minutes and repeating five or more times. It originates from a 2007 study, in which Japanese researchers discovered that the workout resulted in noticeable improvements in strength, endurance and decreased blood pressure, more so than those engaging in continuous moderate-intensity walking.
It was popularized earlier this year on TikTok and Instagram, with several creators touting the benefits.
“Progress comes from finding movement in your day to day, whether it’s 7,000 steps, 10,000 steps — or just finding ways to be active in a way that suits your routine and lifestyle, and trying new workout trends such as Japanese walking could be the push you need to get going,” said personal trainer and assistant general manager at PureGym Portsmouth, Phil Carpenter.
“It really is back to basics, finding simple ways like walking more in order to become fitter and healthier,” he added.
Walking Yoga Emerges
Walking proved to be a top interest for people in 2025, with walking yoga searches increasing 2,414%.
The exercise blends mindful walking with the principles of yoga, such as breathwork, gentle stretches and mindfulness, creating a type of moving meditation that supports flexibility, focus and stress relief.
Its popularity reveals the growing interest in slower, more intentional movement that integrates mindfulness.
“This year, we’re seeing a shift away from super high-intensity workouts, towards softer versions of fitness that put less pressure on us to be perfect and consider the changing needs of our bodies and our schedules,” commented PureGym group marketing director James Gauduchon. “These kind of activities are sustainable and flexible, making it easier for people to stay consistent over time“
The Sculpting Power of the Plank Hover
One specific exercise claimed the third sport: the plank hover.
This movement challenges stability by asking people to engage in subtle lifts and holds during a plank, creating a powerful sculpting session from the humble plank. Searches for it jumped 967% last year.
Nord Pilates App Sees Serious Spike in Interest
The app, which was designed to provide Pilates-inspired personalized workouts tailored to those who can’t make it to the studio and need at-home workouts, saw a 750% jump in searches in 2025.
Its jump in popularity reveals the staying power of convenient at-home fitness options post-pandemic, as well as the ongoing interest in low-intensity exercise like Pilates.
The 10-20-30 Method Takes Over
Move aside, 30-30-30, because a new catchy workout format has entered the chat.
In 2024, a study came out demonstrating that working out at a low intensity for 30 seconds, 20 seconds at a moderate pace and then 10 seconds with high intensity running or cycling resulted in improved fitness and performance as well as lowered blood pressure and body fat in both untrained and trained individuals.
Searches for the interval-based workout jumped 467%, which aligns with growing interest in running as a whole.
Other Top Trends
Rounding out the rest of the most-searched trends were the following:
Bridal arm workout: +296%
Virtual fitness challenges: +177%
Hyrox: +171%
Dead hang exercise: +128%
75 medium: +125%
As in-person fitness events like Hyrox remain trendy, it’s no surprise that further down the list were searches for ultra marathon plans, taking the 18th spot at a 50% increase, closely followed by 5K training plans in 19th with 50% growth as well.
Trends on Their Way Out
Just as Google searches indicate what people are most drawn to, the data also reflects what’s no longer trendy — and the fitness fads on their way out indicate just how volatile and rapidly changing the industry is.
The biggest drop was the 4-2-1 workout, an interval strength routine consisting of 4 exercises over 2 rounds for 1 minute each, which saw an 87% decrease in popularity.
And surprisingly, last year’s top fitness trend, remote personal training, had a major drop in interest of 81%.
“It’s always interesting to look at emerging trends in the fitness industry and see what is capturing people’s attention,” Gauduchon added.
“Anything that gets people off the sofa and finding more movement in their lives is good in our book,” he added.
Data for this article was sourced from PureGym’s annual UK Fitness Report, which ranked trends based on percentage increase in Google searches between July – September 2024 and July – September 2025.
