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The key digital fitness insights from Wexer’s 2024 data are showing the industry is evolving rapidly, driven by shifting consumer behaviors and technological advancements. In 2025, the focus should be on strategies to build trust, offering hyper-personalized experiences, catering to the impatience economy with on-demand solutions, fostering community, integrating AI-driven innovations, and ensuring sustainable engagement.
Wexer’s Annual Digital Fitness Report based on 2024 usage and content data reveals how virtual fitness is shaping the future, offering valuable insights and opportunities for gym owners, fitness operators, and digital fitness providers.
In the following video, Morten Anderesen, Wexer’s Global Head of Content, talks with Paul Bowman, Wexer CEO, about 2024’s digital fitness and wellness content statistics in Wexer’s ever-growing, well-rounded content library. He breaks down the differences with in-club virtual usage versus mobile statistics, why some wellness trends seem to be losing ground, which trends are winning, and 2025 predictions.
2024 was a game-changing year for Wexer Virtual & Mobile, with record-breaking engagement, evolving workout preferences, and revealed new trends shaping the digital fitness landscape. From the rise of cycling and strength training to the surge in wellness content and shorter, high-impact workouts, this report reveals key insights that will help fitness operators and businesses stay ahead.
With an expansive digital fitness library, Wexer provides a variety of virtual and mobile content helping to reshape how people engage with workouts both in-club and at home. With over 5,500 virtual classes and 4,000 mobile workouts, Wexer’s data insights provide a clear picture of the shifting fitness landscape. showing a shift toward shorter sessions, the rise of cycling, and the increasing demand for strength and wellness content.
Key Digital Fitness Trends
- Cycling dominates 54.4% Of Virtual Fitness workouts. 🚴
- Strength Training leads 46.5% Group Exercise (GX) sessions. 💪
- 80% of users prefer workouts under 30 minutes, prioritizing efficiency. ⏱
- Monday is the most active workout day, with 18.5% of total workouts. 📅
- Wellness Content doubled In 2024: Demand increased for recovery, meditation, and mobility. 🧘
- AI-Driven Multilingual Content expands Reach: 1,350+ new multilingual classes. 🌍
- Hybrid & On-Demand Fitness models provide more flexibility for members. 📲
With these trends in mind, fitness operators must adapt their strategies to meet evolving consumer demands and create seamless, personalized fitness experiences in 2025.
Key Findings & Strategies to Stay Ahead In 2025
1. Virtual Cycling Takes the Lead 🚴
📊 Cycling now accounts for 54.4% of all virtual workouts, proving its popularity among both home and gym users. The convenience of virtual cycling has made it a preferred workout format.
- Cycling: 54.4% (Most popular category!)
- Strength Training: 21.2% (Top choice for group exercise!)
- Cardio: 15.3%
- Body/Mind: 9.1%
Strategies to Capitalize on Cycling Trends
✔ Offer immersive virtual cycling experiences for both home and in-club users.
✔ Launch structured cycling programs for different fitness levels.
✔ Encourage digital cycling sessions in gyms to increase engagement.
✔ Feature cycling classes prominently on digital platforms and apps.
2. Strength Training is the Top Group Exercise Choice
📊 Strength training remains the dominant GX category, with 46.5% of all workouts. Users prioritize high-impact, results-driven workouts.
Strategies to Leverage This Strength Training Demand
✔ Offer a mix of short and long-form strength workouts for flexibility.
✔ Incorporate guided programs focusing on form and progression.
✔ Highlight strength training as a core part of digital and hybrid memberships.
✔ Create strength-based challenges to boost engagement and retention.
“Strength is still the biggest category on the platform. Conditioning style workouts are still in demand.” — Morten Anderesen, Wexer’s Global Head of Content
3. Shorter Workouts Win – 80% Workouts Are Under 30 Minutes
High-intensity, time-efficient sessions are in high demand with 80 % users prefer workouts under 30 minutes. The durations users preferred: 15-30 minutes (41.7%) and 30-45 min (39.0%).
Strategies To Optimize For Shorter Workouts:
✔ Feature express workouts (10-30 min) in virtual libraries.
✔ Create ‘stackable’ workout plans that allow users to combine sessions.
✔ Ensure mobile platforms highlight short, effective workouts first.
✔ Market “quick wins” for fitness enthusiasts balancing busy schedules.
4. Mondays & Mornings = Peak Workout & Time Of Day
18.5% of total workouts occur on Monday, making it the busiest fitness day. Engagement declines steadily throughout the week.
In addition, 28% of morning workouts dominate with 8 AM – 11 AM as the most active time slot.
Strategies To Drive Engagement With Monday Motivation
✔ Run promotions, email campaigns, and challenges on Mondays.
✔ Schedule popular live and virtual classes to capture early-week momentum.
✔ Encourage members to commit to a structured weekly fitness plan.
✔ Offer exclusive Monday-only virtual challenges or rewards.
5. Wellness & Recovery Content is Expanding
📊 Wellness content doubled in 2024, with more demand for recovery, meditation, and breathwork.
Strategies To Integrate Wellness Into Your Digital Fitness Offerings
✔ Expand digital wellness offerings with guided meditation, stretching, and recovery classes.
✔ Promote recovery as a key part of balanced fitness plans.
✔ Offer hybrid programs combining strength with mobility training.
✔ Leverage AI-driven personalization to recommend wellness content.
6. AI & Multilingual Content is Driving Growth
📊 1,350+ new classes in French, Portuguese, and Spanish have expanded accessibility. AI-powered recommendations are improving engagement.
Strategies To Utilize AI & Localization For Growth:
✔ Use AI to personalize workout recommendations based on user habits.
✔ Expand language options to attract diverse audiences.
✔ Offer region-specific workout plans for localized engagement.
✔ Leverage AI-driven chatbots or assistants to guide users through fitness programs.
“The hybrid workouts are the ones winning on the platform, in terms of engagement, overall.” — Paul Bowman, CEO of Wexer
7. Hybrid & On-Demand Fitness Models Are Thriving
Users now blend in-club, virtual, and mobile workouts for a personalized experience. On-demand fitness is now the norm, not the exception.
Strategies To Optimize Hybrid & On-Demand Workouts
✔ Ensure seamless integration between in-person and virtual classes.
✔ Offer digital workouts as a membership perk to boost value.
✔ Create 6-8 week hybrid programs that mix in-club and online training.
✔ Use AI to deliver class recommendations based on past engagement.
The Future of Digital Fitness is Personal & Engaging
The Wexer 2024 Digital Fitness Report confirms that fitness operators must embrace shorter, more efficient workouts, hybrid fitness models, and AI-driven engagement strategies to stay competitive in 2025.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Cycling and strength remain the most popular virtual fitness categories.
✅ Hybrid and on-demand workouts are the future of fitness engagement.
✅ Shorter, high-intensity sessions (under 30 minutes) dominate user preferences.
✅ Wellness and recovery programs are steadily growing in demand.
✅ AI-driven recommendations and multilingual content will shape future growth.
Download the full Wexer 2024 Digital Fitness Report today and start implementing winning strategies for 2025!
More Information
Morten Andersen, Global Head of Content
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