The annual report from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) once again shows how rapidly the world of fitness and health is evolving. Technology, active aging, weight management, and hybrid sports continue to grow, along with strong demand for recovery, balance, and gentle forms of exercise. At first glance, this seems particularly relevant for fitness centers, but swimming pools and wellness locations can also make a difference here. Water is safe, accessible, and suitable for a wide audience, making it the perfect response to the new way people approach exercise.
Below, we translate the most important ACSM trends into concrete opportunities for the swimming pool sector.
1. Wearables and data: the swimming pool is becoming smarter
Wearables are back at the top of the trend list. For swimming pools, this means that data can finally be put to good use. Modern watches and sensors work well in water, allowing:
- training zones (heart rate, intensity, calorie consumption) can be monitored
- progress becomes clearly visible to participants
- challenges and reward programs can be set up
- rehabilitation and health programs can be monitored objectively
For hotels, wellness centers, and swimming schools, this is an added bonus: visitors get a modern, personalized experience that goes beyond a traditional visit to the pool.
2. Active aging: the strongest growth market for swimming pools
The aging population and the desire to remain active for longer are creating high demand for safe, supervised exercise. Water is ideal for this. The ACSM report once again ranks "fitness for older adults" very highly, which is particularly good news for swimming pools. Possible programs:
- aquafit for 60+, 70+, and 80+
- mobility and balance in water
- fall prevention programs
- gentle strength training based on water resistance
- rehabilitation programs in collaboration with physical therapists
This target group is loyal, plans fixed times, and attaches great importance to guidance. For public swimming pools, this also means clear social added value.
3. Weight management and health: water as an accessible alternative
Weight management remains a top priority worldwide. People are looking for forms of exercise that are achievable, sustainable, and safe. Water is accessible, instills confidence, and reduces stress on joints. Swimming pools can respond to this with:
- aqua boot camp and low-impact HIIT
- programs for people who are overweight or have mobility issues
- guided programs in collaboration with dietitians or health coaches
- use of wearables to make progress visible
This offering elevates swimming pools beyond recreation and transforms them into places for health promotion and prevention.
4. Hybrid sports, mobile apps, and open water: connecting swimmers year-round
More and more athletes are combining physical training with digital tools. For swimming pools, this is an opportunity to deepen their relationship with visitors and a way to attract open water swimmers, a growing target group, to the pool, even outside the open water season. Possible applications:
- Connection with wearables: open water swimmers often use GPS watches. By combining their indoor and outdoor training in a single platform, the pool becomes a central training point.
- Hybrid training schedules: let programs automatically switch between outdoor water for endurance training and indoor pools for technique, speed, and interval training.
- Community & challenges: organize seasonal challenges in which participants log both open water kilometers and indoor meters.
- Technical analysis in the pool: use video analysis, sensors, or smart lanes during the indoor season so that open water swimmers start the summer season with stronger technical skills.
- Workshops and clinics: offer sessions on navigation, safety, starting technique, and breathing, ideal just before the open water season.
The pool is evolving into a year-round anchor point for triathletes, open water swimmers, and anyone who works on their fitness on a regular basis.
5. Mind-body, balance, and core: water as the ideal environment
Attention to recovery, stress reduction, and gentle exercise continues to grow. Water offers both resistance and support, making mind-body training in a pool particularly accessible. New types of classes:
- aqua yoga and aqua pilates
- balance and core training on floating mats
- calm flow sessions focused on relaxation
- recovery training for athletes or people with stress symptoms
This creates an innovative offering for wellness locations, hotels, and public swimming pools that meets today's mental and physical health needs.
Eight concrete concepts for swimming pools
- Aqua Vitality 60+ – weekly sessions focusing on mobility, strength, and balance.
- Smart Swim Challenge – connection with wearables and monthly challenges.
- Aqua Core & Balance – core training and stability on floating mats.
- Hydro Fit Start – an accessible introduction for anyone who wants to lose weight or get fitter.
- Rehabilitation in water – collaboration with physical therapists and health coaches.
- Hybrid Swim Academy – combination of swimming lessons and digital support.
- Mindful Water Flow – wellness-oriented offering for relaxation and recovery.
- Open Water Ready Program – technique, safety, and preparation for the open water season.
Conclusion: the swimming pool as a center for health and guidance
The ACSM trends show that the future of fitness revolves around health, technology, and accessibility. Swimming pools have their natural strengths in precisely these areas. By responding to wearables, active aging, hybrid sports, and recovery-oriented training, they can become true wellness partners for their visitors.
For more information, read the report Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends
Discover more during the Swimming Pool Industry Day
Want to know how you can respond to the fitness trends of 2026? Then come to the Swimming Pool Industry Day on Thursday, March 5. During this day, we will bring together experts, builders, operators, and suppliers to share insights, practical examples, and concrete tools to turn your swimming pool into a future-oriented health and experience center.
The Swimming Pool Industry Day is the only trade fair for and by the Belgian swimming sector. The fair takes place in the Brabanthal in Leuven and is made possible entirely by the companies exhibiting at the fair. Visiting is completely free: admission to the fair, all knowledge sessions, snacks, drinks, and parking are included.
You can register via this link
