January is fast approaching, meaning many of us will be looking for a way to get back into exercise and boost our fitness after a sluggish Christmas. But, if the idea of spending relentless hours on the treadmill fills you with dread, it’s always worth trying something new.
Experts have predicted some of the biggest fitness trends we can expect to see in 2025, and they might just be the shot of adrenaline your workout routine needs…
Padel
Padel has already been growing in popularity, and 2025 is set to be the year it really takes over – particularly as back in September, the LTA and LTA Tennis Foundation announced it was investing £6 million into 40 projects, funding 75 new courts around the country.
This racket sport “has a lot of similarities with tennis, including its scoring system and core skillset, which makes it easy to understand”, explains Martyn Oakey, personal trainer and head of fitness at Everlast Gyms, part of Sports Direct.
“However, it is played on a smaller, enclosed court, meaning groups of mixed ages and abilities can play it together, and shots can be played off the walls. Its benefits are similar to tennis, offering competition, as well as a great form of stop/start exercise to help boost your cardio and muscular endurance.”
It’s proving particularly popular “thanks to its social nature” and the fact it’s easily accessible, Oakey suggests: “Once you’ve found your local court, all you need is a racket, a ball and a partner.”
Callisthenics
If you’ve ever seen anyone doing impressive handstands in the gym, there’s a good chance they might be doing callisthenics – a type of body weight conditioning.
“Callisthenics are an ancient form of exercise, which has recently seen a huge boost in popularity and is expected to continue growing into the new year. Simply put, they refer to a wide range of strength exercises conducted using body weight,” Oakey says.
Luckily, it’s not all as difficult as smashing out a one-armed handstand. In fact, Oakey says: “The barrier to entry is extremely low. You can do most of these exercises in your own home with little to no equipment, or in a gym. They’re also accessible in terms of ability and sometimes used by physios [as part of treatment regimes]. Once you’ve learned the basics for a number of exercises, you can easily incorporate them into your fitness routine and daily schedule.”
Squats, push-ups and planks are all basic callisthenics exercises, and once you’ve mastered them, you can progress to some of the fancier stuff.
Hiking
Not all exercise has to be in the gym. As Carla Khouri, qualified mountain leader and outdoor instructor from the Merrell Hiking Club, says: “The UK is witnessing a hiking renaissance, with the activity poised to become one of 2025’s hottest fitness trends. As urban life grows more intense, people are discovering what generations before them knew: there’s profound value in stepping away from screens and schedules to reconnect with nature.
“Beyond its physical benefits, such as increasing muscular strength and endurance, promoting better balance and flexibility, and improving cardiovascular health, hiking offers a powerful antidote to modern stress. There is increasing evidence to suggest hiking helps improve low mood and reduce stress and anxiety.”
Khouri suggests one of the best things about hiking is its “simplicity”, adding: “No expensive equipment or gym memberships required, just a willingness to step outside and explore. As more people embrace this natural approach to fitness, they’re not just reaping the benefits of exercise, they’re also feeling a sense of community, adventure, and a renewed connection with the great outdoors.”
Open water swimming
Hiking isn’t the only outdoor activity set to make waves in 2025. Ramona Cojocaru, head of category at Decathlon UK, suggests that open water swimming – which has been gathering steam, with sales of wetsuits for open water swimming increasing by 44% at Decathlon in the last year – will explode in popularity over the next 12 months.
Put simply, this is “the activity of swimming in anything other than a pool”, explains Cojocaru. “Popular spots include lakes, rivers and the sea, with some lovely locations available along the British coastline.”
As well as all the rewards of being in the great outdoors, there are plenty of physical benefits. “Swimming is a full-body workout that improves circulation and cardiovascular health. There are also benefits such as boosted immunity, recovery and mental health, as open water swimming generally taking place in colder waters,” says Cojocaru.
It might have a slightly unusual name, but this trend isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. Claire Phippen, personal trainer at PureGym Norwich, describes quadrobics as “inspired by natural movement patterns – namely using all four limbs to mimic animal movements”.
This full-body workout might see you jumping on all fours, or even mimicking the gait of certain animals. Not only is it a lot of fun, Phippen says: “This style of training can improve strength, power and functional performance as it engages multiple muscle groups in the body, and promotes better posture and body mechanics.”
Roller skating
Roller skating hit its stride during the early days of the pandemic, and experts believe it’s going to see another burst in popularity in 2025 – particularly as sales of rollerskates went up by 30% at Decathlon in the last year.
“The activity has a huge following on social media, with over 250 million posts existing on #RollerSkate TikTok, from clips of people dancing to music at events and roller-discos,” says David Martin, mobility commercial leader at Decathlon UK.
“Not only is skating an enjoyable pastime, it’s an effective way to keep fit. The activity is low impact and low-intensity, whilst giving the lower body a good workout through its need for balance and co-ordination.”
