2025 Blog

Top 2025 Brazil Fitness Trends to Boost Growth, ROI, And Retention

Written by Core Team | Apr 22, 2025 6:38:00 PM

As the Brazilian fitness industry enters 2025, gym operators face a unique mix of challenges and opportunities. Despite having over 34,000 health clubs, Brazil’s gym penetration rate remains just 4.6%, signaling vast potential for growth. With consumer behaviors rapidly evolving toward digital integration, experiential fitness, and personalized wellness, fitness professionals who adapt now will thrive later.

Whether you're running a premium studio in São Paulo or a high-volume gym in Recife, staying informed about emerging trends is your gateway to enhanced member engagement, higher retention, and a stronger bottom line.

 

Top 2025 Brazil Fitness Trends

1. Outdoor & Unique Fitness Experiences

From rooftop spin classes in São Paulo to beach boot camps in Rio, Brazilians are seeking workouts that blend fitness with fun, fresh air, and unforgettable settings.

  • What members want: It’s not just about breaking a sweat—it’s about experiencing fitness in a way that’s social, scenic, and inspiring.
  • What Fitness Operators Can Do:  Offering classes in parks, rooftops, or pop-up outdoor spaces can elevate your brand and attract new members who crave novelty and community vibes. Think branded outdoor series, sunrise yoga, or mobile HIIT setups.

2. Digital Fitness Integration

What it is: The digital fitness market in Brazil is projected to hit $1.32 billion in 2025. That includes apps, virtual coaching, streaming workouts, and smart gym tech.
For members: Flexibility is key. Members want the option to work out anywhere, anytime—whether it’s live coaching at the gym or on-demand workouts at home.
For operators: Digital isn’t optional anymore. Facilities that integrate apps, virtual classes, and hybrid memberships offer members convenience and value—while boosting retention and scalability.

3. Functional Training & HIIT

What it is: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and functional workouts are growing fast due to their efficiency and effectiveness. These formats mimic real-life movement and deliver maximum results in less time.
For members: Time-strapped individuals love getting in, working hard, and seeing fast results. Plus, these formats are dynamic and fun.
For operators: Add functional zones, express 30-minute classes, or small-group HIIT programming to keep your offerings fresh and performance-driven.

4. Health & Wellness Coaching Growth

What it is: Wellness is more than workouts. The health & wellness coaching market is set to reach $379.25 million in Brazil, driven by a desire for holistic, personalized health strategies.
For members: More people want guidance beyond reps and sets—nutrition advice, stress management, sleep support, and lifestyle coaching are in demand.
For operators: Embedding coaching into your membership—either in-person or via app—adds immense value. It builds trust, boosts outcomes, and opens new revenue streams.

5. Wearables & Fitness Tracker Usage

What it is: Fitness trackers are everywhere, and Brazil’s market is expected to reach $941.71 million in 2025.
For members: Devices like smartwatches help users monitor heart rate, steps, sleep, and calories, offering real-time feedback and motivation.
For operators: Embrace the data! Connect wearable tech with your programs to personalize training, celebrate milestones, and enhance member accountability.

6. Youth Engagement in Fitness

What it is: Brazilians aged 18–24 are the most physically active age group. They're shaping the future of fitness with their expectations and habits.
For members: This generation seeks more than workouts—they want experiences, social connection, and digital convenience.
For operators: Build spaces and experiences that resonate with Gen Z. Think fitness challenges, social hubs, and gamified training. Speak their language—online and offline.

Take Action On Brazil Fitness Trends To Thrive in 2025 

 

Understanding trends is one thing—acting on them is what drives impact. Here’s how gym owners and operators in Brazil can transform these insights into high-impact strategies that enhance member engagement, increase retention, and strengthen the bottom line.

1. Expand Reach with Entry-Level & Inclusive Offerings

What You Can Do

  • Launch low-barrier memberships or pay-as-you-go pricing to attract first-time gym-goers.
  • Create entry-level group classes that reduce intimidation and encourage community.
  • Promote inclusive branding to ensure all members—regardless of fitness level, age, or body type—feel welcome.
  • Provide outdoor workouts to create an exciting, scenic, and communal atmosphere for members to engage new demographics with flexible, location-based fitness offerings.
  • Expand programming with functional training and HIIT to appeal to those seeking efficient, real-world strength and stamina. Offer 30-minute express formats and dedicated functional zones to meet this demand.

Why It Works

With gym penetration at just 4.6%, the untapped market in Brazil is huge. By removing barriers and creating community-focused experiences, gyms can unlock this vast potential.

2. Embrace Digital & Hybrid Fitness Solutions

What You Can Do

  • Integrate on-demand workout libraries for members to access anytime, anywhere.
  • Offer virtual personal training and live-streamed group classes.
  • Sync with fitness wearables and apps to provide real-time progress tracking and personalized feedback.
  • Provide personalized health coaching for a more holistic focus. Facilities should add services like in-app coaching, biometric tracking, and tailored nutrition advice.
  • Integrate wearables and technology with gym systems to take advantage of the market demand. Trackers like smartwatches offer real-time feedback and should integrate with fitness equipment for an easily accessible data-driven experience. Tech-savvy young adults are Brazil’s most active demographic and expect social, mobile, and flexible solutions.

Why It Works

Members expect the same flexibility from their fitness routine that they get from other lifestyle services. Digital access allows gyms to stay relevant and connected—even when members aren’t physically in the facility.

3. Engage Gen Z & Young Adults with Experiential Fitness

What You Can Do

  • Launch short, high-energy group workouts like HIIT or dance fusion that feel more like events than exercise.
  • Create fitness challenges that can be shared on social media.
  • Develop spaces that double as social hubs, where people can train, hang out, and share their journey.

Why It Works

Gen Z members value community, experience, and tech. They're also more likely to remain loyal to brands that offer authentic, inclusive, and digitally integrated experiences.

How Core Can Help You Grow

To help operators put these strategies into practice, Core Health & Fitness offers a comprehensive lineup of equipment and digital solutions that align perfectly with 2025's most important trends.

1. Core Functional & HIIT Training Equipment

Throwdown Functional Zones are ideal for gyms looking to tap into the booming demand for HIIT and functional training. These spaces are fully customizable and scalable for individual, small-group, or class-based formats. With modular designs, they fit seamlessly into any facility layout.

Key Benefits

  • Drives engagement through performance-focused training
  • Appeals to both new and experienced users
  • Easy to integrate into existing gym floor plans

2. New Core Smarter, More Connected Cardio with Core Apex Console + Virtual Coaching

Star Trac Virtual Bikes and StairMaster provide immersive rides guided by on-screen trainers—without ongoing subscription fees. This turns your cardio floor into a virtual coaching environment. With the launch of the next-generation Apex Display Console, Core cardio equipment is now smarter, more connected, and future-ready. Built on the OpenHub™ ecosystem, the Apex platform enhances both member experience and operational efficiency:

Key Benefits

  • Adds value to cardio areas with tech-driven training
  • Perfect for hybrid and digital-friendly members
  • Enhances experience with motivating, interactive content
  • Multiple display options from the streamlined Apex LCD or full HD touchscreen.
  • Full connectivity with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and ANT+ to sync with wearables, apps, and club systems.
  • Streamlined operations via over-the-air software updates and EcoFit™ asset tracking for proactive maintenance and insights.
  • Modern, durable design with easy-to-clean surfaces and built for high-traffic environments.

Available across Star Trac and StairMaster 4, 8, and 10 Series, the Apex Console seamlessly integrates into modern gym ecosystems—enhancing user engagement while simplifying management for operators.

Top-tier products like the Star Trac FreeRunner 10TRx and StairMaster 10G now feature the Apex HD Touchscreen, combining best-in-class biomechanics with interactive entertainment and performance tracking—making your facility a go-to destination in a competitive market.

3. Wexer Digital Fitness Integration

With Wexer, gyms can offer members a full digital workout platform with in-facility live and on-deman virtual classes with wellness oriented content like yoga and mobility to more traditional fitness content like strength, core, HIIT, and cardio. Whether members are training at home or traveling, Wexer keeps them connected to your facility 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

Key Benefits

  • Expands reach beyond physical walls
  • Improves retention with always-available fitness options
  • Fully customizable for your brand and audience
  • Create premium content for additional reach

4. Sync Wellness, Coaching & Data-Driven Progress

Core’s strength and cardio equipment can be synced with digital platforms and wearables, allowing members to track progress, set goals, and even share data with personal trainers or wellness coaches. This empowers personalized coaching and enhances results.

Key Benefits

  • Supports the growth of wellness coaching programs
  • Leverages wearable tech for real-time feedback
  • Increases member accountability and satisfaction

Take Action Now To Implement Your Fitness Strategy

Brazil’s fitness industry is on the brink of something big. The trends of 2025 show that members want more than just a place to work out—they want experiences, flexibility, personalization, and community.

For gym operators, this moment presents immense opportunity. Whether it’s introducing pop-up outdoor workouts, launching a virtual fitness app, or designing spaces for Gen Z socializers, the facilities that move with the market will lead it.

Want to take action on transforming your fitness facility?

➡️ Start by downloading the full 2025 Brazil Fitness Trends Deck for deeper insight into the trends you should be implementing. 

Then let us help you shape a strategy by requesting a consultation today!