Racket Sports, HIIT, and Pilates: The 2025 Fitness Shock That Could Change Your Life Forever!

Garmin's report, which reflects the engagement patterns of its users over the past year, highlights a significant shift in workout preferences. Following racket sports are Pilates and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), which increased by 46% and 45% respectively, indicating a strong preference for varied, dynamic forms of exercise among fitness enthusiasts.

Strength training, a consistent performer, saw a 29% increase among Garmin users. This marks the fourth consecutive year that strength training has exceeded a 20% growth rate, underscoring its ongoing popularity for health and longevity benefits. Interestingly, women participated in strength training sessions 6% more than men, reflecting a growing interest in lifting heavier weights among female athletes.

In addition to these standout modalities, Garmin also reported measurable growth in other activities. Indoor running and diving both saw a 16% increase, while hiking grew by 12%. This diversification of activities among Garmin users highlights a broader trend where individuals are gravitating towards various fitness pursuits beyond running, the activity for which Garmin is predominantly known.

Despite the rapid growth of these newer modalities, traditional activities still dominate the overall landscape. The top five activities recorded by Garmin users remain running, walking, cycling, strength training, and indoor cardio. Outdoor running did experience a modest 6% increase in participation, but men engaged in outdoor running 21% more than women, whereas women showed a preference for indoor runs, with a 16% higher frequency.

Fitness Enthusiasts Are Only Getting More Active

Overall, Garmin users have increased their activity levels slightly, with step counts rising by 1.2% to an average of over 8,000 steps per day. Notably, nearly a third of users surpassed the 10,000 steps mark daily, while a small minority, just 0.4%, exceeded 20,000 steps. The countries leading in daily step counts include Hong Kong at 10,663 steps, South Korea at 9,969, and Spain at 9,937.

On average, Garmin users spent about 55 minutes per activity, with over a quarter of recorded runs lasting between 30 to 45 minutes. Walkers tended to opt for shorter distances, averaging 15 to 30 minutes, while nearly half of cycling activities extended an hour or longer.

Generational Trends

The report also sheds light on generational trends in fitness activities. The youngest demographic, aged 18 to 29, is leading the running boom among Garmin users, actively participating in outdoor and track running. Meanwhile, users aged 30 to 39 logged the most strength training, indoor cardio, and treadmill sessions. The 40 to 49 age group showed a preference for outdoor trail running, while those aged 50 to 59 dominated categories like indoor cycling and lap swimming. The 60 to 69 demographic excelled in outdoor cycling, walking, and hiking, and users aged 70+ spent the most time golfing.

Interestingly, younger users tended to favor late afternoon and evening workouts, often engaging in activities between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.. Conversely, users over 70 preferred early morning sessions, typically working out between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

As Garmin continues to grow, its focus is also shifting toward health and wellness. The company is increasingly integrating its technology with gyms and healthcare professionals, offering metrics such as stress levels, heart rate variability (HRV), and skin temperature to help inform better health decisions. This trend aligns with the rising consumer interest in personalized healthcare solutions, marking a significant evolution in how fitness technology can support overall wellness.

In summary, the 2025 Garmin Connect Data Report not only highlights the rising popularity of racket sports, Pilates, and HIIT, but also illustrates broader trends in fitness engagement across various age groups. As Americans increasingly embrace diverse fitness modalities, the insights gleaned from this report could inform future workout trends and strategies for health and wellness.