Wellness in 2025 has been guided by our desire to not only live longer, but improve our quality of life and happiness as we age. The world actually wants to feel better, rather than look a certain way. Standing taller, looking stronger and even younger are just a by-product of moving, eating, sleeping and managing stress in a more prescriptive and personalised way.
While some people are afraid of dying, others are afraid of aging. Reducing our “wellness age” is the centre of a Venn diagram of trends dominating the wellness sector–hyper-personalisation, wellness tracking, menopausal care and awareness, wellness tourism, sleep monitoring, biohacking and sustainability.
I believe this desire to live longer, healthier lives is a reaction to wellbeing burnout. We were chasing our tails to achieve “wellness”, while burning ourselves out in the process. And at what point are we undoing the effects of maximising our wellbeing, by the pressures of achieving ultimate wellness? My prediction for 2025 is this pressure will lift and shift to a mindset of “living in abundance” – what activities bring us joy and fill our cups? How do we harness opportunities and embrace possibilities, while caring for ourselves to live longer, happier lives?
From a movement perspective, there has been a visible migration away from “training to failure”. People have discovered the power of controlled, functional-based movement that doesn’t leave you feeling depleted after every workout. This high-intensity, high-repetition way of moving is taxing on our nervous system which not only impacts our energy levels but can cause long-term complications to our hormones, digestive system and emotional wellbeing. Coupled with busy lifestyles, parenting and the “hustle” for high productivity-high results. By changing the way we move to focus on correct muscle contraction, low repetition, mind-enhancing movements, we can build strength, improve performance and sustain energy, beyond the Pilates mat or the Pilates studio and infiltrate positivity through our daily life. This method of movement becomes meditative which supports our lifestyle, emotional wellbeing and our nervous system. This is particularly important for our muscle maintenance, bone and joint health as we age. Reducing our risk of injuries and imbalances to move with confidence, free of pain.
Trend: Menopause Awareness & Care
The menopause movement is a promising reverberation to the rise of women in leadership positions. No longer do we feel silenced or submitted to early retirement. And as a result, brands are listening and responding to the female leaders driving change. Beyond the billions invested in supplements and programs and wellness products, the movement has started a conversation which will see the long-term benefits for women from a medical, social and physical perspective.
During Perimenopause, our bone and muscle density decreases, our pelvic floor muscles weaken and fluctuating hormones often bring weight gain, fatigue, disrupted sleep, poor digestion and emotional disturbance. Exercise and functional movement – specifically balance work, mobility and stability exercises, plyometrics and resistance training – work together to effectively improve bone density, build muscle strength, support muscle and pelvic floor engagement and ease the effects of fluctuating hormones on your physical and mental health. As your bone and muscle density decreases, you are prone to injuries. Improving your balance, mobility and stability helps to minimise your risk of injuries, coupled with pelvic floor activation to improve your bladder function. I have developed a 6-week program for Peri & Menopausal clients to follow at home, encompassing movement and nutrition, with guidance to support sleep and stress management.
Trend: Personalised Wellness
The “one-size-fits-all” approach has well and truly expired and personalised wellness is essential to optimising our health for a longer and happier life. But the anti-aging technologies, DNA tracking and biohacking tools to “bulletproof” our lives, once exclusive to private wellness clubs, are becoming more accessible and available. Personalised movement programs (in person and online), DNA based diets and supplements, body scanning, sleep tracking, wearable devices and the rise of longevity clinics are opening the doors to more people adapting a more prescriptive and tailored approach to wellness. We provide a complimentary, personalised program for all Fluidform at Home members, hand-selecting workouts based on your goals, fitness levels, injuries, imbalances and stage of life. We’ve seen almost every acute and chronic injury there is. And we work together to provide a program of workouts which are safe and effective to do at home, with the objective of rebalancing, realigning and gradually rebuilding the strength and instilling confidence within our members. We’ve helped over 60,000 members on their journey to improving their stability, fitness, strength and confidence at home, around the world.
Trend: Anti-Inflammatory Diets & Lifestyles
Studies have revealed the rise of toxic chemical exposure and the long-term effects this has on our health. An anti-inflammatory lifestyle which prioritises a clean approach to organic, plant-based ingredients, detoxification remedies, lymph drainage, hot and cold contrast therapy and even cryotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy will continue to rise in 2025. And again, this lifestyle is not an exclusive one. Taking the time to research where you are sourcing your ingredients from, how you can better integrates herbs and spices into your meals, swapping chemical-based products for toxic-free and practising anti-inflammatory remedies such as cold plunging and self-lymph massaging at home, can go a long way in supporting your body’s natural detoxification process.
Trend: Wellness Tourism
The Global Wellness Institute released a report predicting the wellness industry will hit $9 trillion by 2028, with Wellness Tourism attributing to $651 billion annually in 2024, and forecasted to continue to grow rapidly. But it goes beyond the economics of wellness. As a society we have never been so conscious of our health. The vulnerability we experienced when our health was at risk (Covid-19) unlocked a new desire to be well, to feel healthy and live longer. Wellness is not slowing down. Post-pandemic, it is clear consumers are investing heavily in their health and wellbeing, in various shapes and sizes from premium and highly personalised gym memberships, and at-home wellness tools such as Reformer machines and infrared saunas, to “Wellness Tourism.” We have experienced this first-hand with clients in our Fluidform studios and members around the world jumping at the opportunity for physical connection and holistic wellness, bundled up in a 3-5 day transformative Wellness Retreat experience.
With 1/3 Australian’s admitting to feeling “lonely”, according to the WHO who have declared “loneliness” as a public health priority – it is clear there is appetite for these in-person wellness experiences and social connections, especially for consumers who might not live within proximity to a studio or local community.
Trend: Physical Activity For Teenagers
There are some alarming statistics around young girls and physical activity. By the age of 14 years, 43% of young girls who once considered themselves ‘sporty’ disengaged from sport after primary school for reasons including a fear of feeling judged by others, lack of confidence, pressure of schoolwork and not feeling safe outside (womeninsport.org).
Thanks to social media, young adults are becoming more aware and conscious of their health and wellbeing. However, the lack of education and accessibility to reputable resources can often result in young adults engaging with trends which do more harm than good. As a mother of three, with my eldest daughter in year 8 this year, I have witnessed the derailing of physical activity while the pressures from social media, social circles and navigating life as a teenager go up. I understand the importance of functional movement for young adults and the lack of education, accessible and effective options within the wellness market.
This year, Fluidform will launch a “Teen Moves” online Pilates program, targeted to parents and teenagers, with the purpose of providing young adults with an accessible, effective and enjoyable movement and wellbeing program, they can do from home. The program will focus on areas such as poor posture from carrying school bags, abdominal and glute activation, and strength and stability to support team sports. This would be supported with guidance around nutrition and wellbeing.
