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Exercise Trends and Online Coaching: What’s Actually Working Right Now

The fitness industry is evolving fast. With new workouts popping up every week and more people training online than ever before, it’s easy to get caught up in the trends—and just as easy to miss what’s actually working for real people right now.

At IFCA, we’ve coached thousands of clients and mentored hundreds of fitness coaches running online businesses. So we’ve seen both sides: what clients are looking for, and what delivers lasting results.

Here’s what’s trending, what’s noise, and what’s actually moving the needle in online coaching today.

1. Simplicity Over Flashy Workouts

There’s a time and place for complex circuits and high-tech equipment—but most clients just want to:

Move better

Get stronger

Feel more confident in their bodies

Train without pain or confusion

We’re seeing a strong shift back to foundational strength training, paired with smart cardio. Full-body splits, progressive overload, and 3–4 well-structured sessions per week are outperforming flashy “shred” workouts that prioritize sweat over strategy.

What’s working: → Strength-based programs with optional add-ons for mobility or conditioning → Clear progression over time, not random workouts for engagement

2. Hybrid Coaching (Not Just Zoom or Just In-Person)

Online fitness coaching exploded in 2020—and while Zoom workouts had their moment, what’s lasting now is hybrid coaching. That means:

A structured app or program clients follow on their own time

Weekly check-ins, form checks, and accountability via voice or video

Occasional live sessions (optional) for form cues or connection

This model gives clients the freedom of flexibility with the support of a coach, which is exactly what busy professionals, parents, and high-performers need.

3. Biofeedback-Based Adjustments

Smart coaches know the plan isn’t what creates results—the adjustments do.

Right now, the most successful online fitness coaches are using client biofeedback (sleep, recovery, energy, mood, hunger, stress) to:

Adjust training volume

Auto-regulate intensity

Modify deload weeks or rest days

Spot signs of burnout early

What’s working: → Using check-ins to track more than just workouts—so clients avoid plateaus or overtraining

4. Coaching That Includes More Than Workouts

Clients aren’t just hiring you for sets and reps. They want help with:

Nutrition

Mindset and stress

Routine building

Behavior change and accountability

What’s working best right now is programs that include education and lifestyle coaching alongside fitness.

For example: → A client starts training 4x/week, tracks 3–5 habits (steps, sleep, water, etc.), and has simple nutrition goals built in → Coaches offer short video modules or client education content to increase buy-in and long-term results

5. Realistic Program Design (for Busy Humans)

The days of 6-day splits and hour-long cardio sessions are fading. Coaches who win in 2025 are the ones designing:

Shorter, more effective workouts (30–45 min)

Flexible training plans with optional movement days

Programs built around sustainability, not discipline porn

Clients want to train hard and live their life, not feel like fitness is their full-time job.

6. Personality and Connection Still Matter Most

Even with perfect programming, your personality and connection will always be the difference-maker.

Online coaching is still a relationship-based business. The best coaches right now are:

Using voice memos to personalize feedback

Showing their own routines and setbacks on social media

Sharing client wins and struggles transparently

This builds loyalty, trust, and community—and it’s what helps your program stand out in a noisy space.

7. What’s NOT Working Anymore

Let’s call out a few things we’ve seen fizzle out:

❌ Generic PDF workout plans

❌ No follow-up after payment

❌ Solely selling based on aesthetics or 6-week transformations

❌ High-volume cookie-cutter coaching with no personalization

Clients are smarter now. They want real support, education, and results they can keep.

Final Thoughts: Coaching in 2025 and Beyond

What’s working right now isn’t the trendiest workout or the flashiest funnel. It’s: ✅ Programs that feel doable and smart ✅ Coaches who genuinely connect with their clients ✅ Systems that include lifestyle, mindset, and long-term behavior change

At IFCA, we teach coaches how to deliver this level of coaching—so they stand out, grow their income, and actually change lives.

Because trends come and go—but strategy, trust, and results will always win.

Want to Learn How to Coach Online the Right Way?

Whether you're a new coach or growing a team, IFCA helps fitness professionals turn their knowledge into a coaching business that scales—without losing quality or impact.