Fitness Trends 2026: Why Feeling Good Became the Goal
The biggest change in fitness since 2021 is why people exercise. More Australians and New Zealanders now work out for their mental wellbeing, energy and long-term health, and gyms have responded with more Pilates, recovery, low-impact and strength options. Snap Fitness built its For The Feeling positioning around this idea five years ago.
Here's what has changed, what the research says, and what to look for in a gym today.
What Has Changed in Fitness Since 2021?
Motivation has moved. The Australian Sports Commission's AusPlay survey found the share of adults being active for mental health reasons almost doubled in five years, from 16% in 2017 to 31% in 2022. Fun, social connection and time outdoors have also grown as reasons to move. Looks are no longer the only reason people join.
The gym is one of many places Australians get active. AusPlay data shows 28% of adults visit a gym, fitness club or leisure centre, while 61% exercise outdoors and 29% at home. The gyms people keep coming back to are the ones that feel good to be in.
Does Exercise Improve Mental Health?
Yes. A 2024 review of 218 randomised trials in the BMJ found exercise is an effective treatment for depression. Walking or jogging, yoga and strength training showed the strongest effects, and strength training and yoga were the best tolerated.
New Zealand data points the same way. A Sport NZ analysis of more than 25,000 adults found people doing at least 2.5 hours of recreational activity a week had 51% higher odds of reporting good mental wellbeing. That's an association rather than proof of cause, but it lines up with the trial evidence.
Movement doesn't replace professional support. It's one of the most useful tools available, alongside talking to a GP or psychologist.
Why Are Pilates, Recovery and Low-Impact Training Growing?
Because they're easier to stick with. The AusFitness 2026 Fitness Trends Report, produced with AUSactive and the American College of Sports Medicine, ranks Pilates second among Australia's top trends, exercise for mental health third, and mobility and recovery training tenth. Low-impact, joint-friendly options make the list too. Pilates and mobility and recovery training don't appear in the global top 20 at all, which suggests local demand is running ahead of the world picture.
Pilates is surging globally as well. ClassPass reported it as the most-booked workout worldwide for the third year running in 2025, with bookings up 66%.
The common thread is sustainability. Training that leaves you feeling better rather than flattened is training you'll repeat. If you're weighing up class formats, see the group fitness guide.
Why Is Longevity Now a Reason to Join a Gym?
People want to stay strong for longer. Fitness programs for older adults are the number one trend in Australia's 2026 report, ahead of Pilates and exercise for mental health. Traditional strength training sits fourth. Exercise for weight management, including training alongside GLP-1 medications to maintain muscle and strength, sits eighth.
For members, the takeaway is that strength work supports independence, mobility and everyday confidence at any age. Not sure where to start? See the Cardio vs Strength guide. If you're taking weight-loss medication, talk to your GP or an accredited exercise professional about how to train safely.
What Is For The Feeling?
For The Feeling is the Snap Fitness positioning launched globally in 2021. The belief is simple: fitness should make you feel great, and when you get hooked on the feeling, the results follow.
Rose Minar, Global Chief Marketing Officer of Lift Brands, the parent company of Snap Fitness, explains the shift: "Five years ago, we made a conscious decision to stop talking about how exercise changes the way people look and start talking about how it changes the way people feel."
The gym floor has evolved to match. Across the Snap Fitness network, gyms have been redesigned to feel more welcoming and less intimidating, with space for strength and cardio alongside group training, functional fitness, Reformer Pilates and recovery. The goal is a place where people at every level of experience and confidence can find an approach that works for them.
It reaches beyond the gym, too. In Australia, Snap Fitness partners with LIVIN to support mental health in the community.
As Minar puts it: "Five years ago, 'For The Feeling' was an ambitious vision for where we believed fitness was heading. Today, it's simply what members expect."
What Should You Look for in a Gym in 2026?
Use this as a checklist when you're comparing gyms:
A space you feel comfortable in. Equipment matters, but so does whether you feel like you belong on the floor.
Range. Strength and cardio, plus ways to train differently on lower-energy days, like group classes, Pilates, mobility or recovery.
Flexibility. Access that fits around your life, not the other way round.
Support. A team who'll show you around and help you set goals that suit you.
A reason that's yours. Stress relief, better sleep, confidence, strength. The best goal is the one that keeps you coming back.
FAQs
How much exercise do I need for my mental wellbeing?
Sport NZ found adults doing at least 2.5 hours of recreational activity a week had 51% higher odds of good mental wellbeing, rising to 65% at 4.5 hours or more. All movement counts, and you can start with less.
Do I have to lift weights to feel the benefits?
No. The BMJ review found walking or jogging, yoga, strength training, mixed aerobic exercise and tai chi all reduced depression symptoms. Pick what you'll enjoy and repeat.
Is Pilates a good place to start if I'm new to the gym?
It can be. The AusFitness report describes Pilates as a full-body workout that can be tailored to any experience level, with a strong focus on core strength.
Ready to find your feeling? Find your nearest Snap Fitness gym and see what's on near you. New to Snap Fitness? Here's how to join.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you're struggling with your mental health, speak to your GP. In Australia, Lifeline is on 13 11 14. In New Zealand, call or text 1737.