Fitness trends in Portugal for 2025

Authors

  • Susana Franco Santarém Polytechnic University, School of Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Av. Dr. Mário Soares, 110, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5752-5233
  • Liliana Ramos
  • Rita Santos-Rocha Santarém Polytechnic University, School of Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Av. Dr. Mário Soares, 110, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
  • Fátima Ramalho Santarém Polytechnic University, School of Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Av. Dr. Mário Soares, 110, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5131-9204
  • Isabel Vieira
  • Vera Simões Santarém Polytechnic University, School of Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Av. Dr. Mário Soares, 110, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5124-2446

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v69.112240

Keywords:

ACSM, physical exercise, fitness, fitness industry, portuguese trends

Abstract

Introduction: The Fitness market is heterogeneous and competitive, and knowledge about its trends can be important for the various stakeholders to adjust.

Objective: Identify fitness trends in Portugal for 2025; compare the opinion of groups about trends considering sexes, professional title, whether they work as a fitness professional and compare the Portuguese results of 2025 with those of 2024 and with the results of Spain and the world.

Methodology: The methodology of the American College of Sports Medicine study on global fitness trends was followed, with an online questionnaire with 51 trends being applied to 554 fitness professionals, health professionals related to exercise and students in the sector.

Results: The Top 5 Fitness trends for 2025 in Portugal are “Personal training”, “Employ certified fitness professionals”, “Exercise for weight loss”, “Pilates” and “Traditional strength training”. Except for “Pilates”, in the Top 5, the remaining trends remained the same in relation to 2024. Differences were found in 10 trends between professional titles, 12 between those who work as fitness professionals and those who do not, and 30 between sexes. Fitness trends in Portugal are more similar to Spain than to those worldwide.

Discussion: The main trends in Portugal value “Personal training” service first and assume some stability in relation to recent years.

Conclusions: The specificity of the Portuguese market justifies the continuation of this study and the contribution it can make to the growth of the sector.

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Published

2025-06-10

How to Cite

Franco, S., Ramos, L., Santos-Rocha, R., Ramalho, F., Vieira, I., & Simões, V. (2025). Fitness trends in Portugal for 2025. Retos, 69, 45–61. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v69.112240

Issue

Vol. 69 (2025)

Section

Original Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2025 Susana Franco, Liliana Ramos, Rita Santos-Rocha, Fátima Ramalho, Isabel Vieira, Vera Simões

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