Think of this as our 2025 wrapped and a look at where we’re heading in 2026.
Last year marked a turning point. Studios stabilised, members returned with clearer expectations, and technology shifted from “nice-to-have” to non-negotiable.
You only have to look outside the industry to see how fast things are moving. In Austin, Texas, we watched Waymo driverless cars glide through traffic, a reminder that technology is quite literally driving entire sectors forward. Fitness is on the same trajectory: more connected, more intelligent, and more deeply woven into everyday life.
Between the Mariana Tek 2026 Boutique Fitness Industry Report and three big days on the ground at Beyond Activ in Dallas, listening to operators, investors, and tech founders from around the world, a clear picture emerged (Mariana Tek, 2026):
The next era of fitness will be built where technology and human connection meet.
The data confirmed what many of us already feel on the gym floor: attendance is climbing, class prices are steady, and community remains the heartbeat of it all (Mariana Tek, 2026). The conversations in Dallas echoed the same themes, studios leaning into experience, not just access; tech that integrates instead of overwhelms; and operators focused on lifetime value, not quick wins.
So as we move through 2026, the question isn’t “Is the industry okay?” It’s “How do we build smarter, more connected, more human experiences at scale?”
From industry data, insights from gyms in over 30 countries using CloudFit’s display technology, and conversations in every hallway at Beyond Activ, here’s what it all tells us about where we’ve been, and what’s next.
As studios stabilise and scale, one thing is clear: the next phase of fitness isn’t about adding more tech — it’s about using the right tools to support coaches, sharpen programming, and deliver consistently great experiences on the floor.
1️⃣ The Industry Is Stronger Than Ever
The numbers don’t lie. Attendance across boutique studios is set to surpass pre-pandemic highs, with same-store revenue rising steadily year over year. Class prices increased 6% (from $20.10 to $21.32), and 43% of studios now list Pilates as their primary modality (Mariana Tek, 2026).
At Beyond Activ, operators kept returning to the same idea: the studios that survived didn’t win on hype, they won on clarity and consistency. Those built around community, coaching, and strong operational systems are now perfectly placed to scale.
That same focus is shaping how gym tech evolves. The most valuable tools are the ones that remove friction for coaches while keeping the class experience clear for members. That’s exactly where CloudFit sits.
CloudFit combines on-screen workout delivery with CloudFit AI, an AI assistant designed to help coaches build workouts faster and more efficiently. CloudFit AI supports smarter programming without replacing the coach’s expertise.
The result is clarity on the floor, less time spent planning behind the scenes, and more energy available for what matters most: coaching, connection, and member experience.
2️⃣ The “5-Visit Rule” Still Reigns
According to Mariana Tek’s data, the fifth class is where loyalty takes off. Retention jumps above 90% once members reach visit five, and conversion to membership peaks (Mariana Tek, 2026).
For studios, that means the magic isn’t in the free trial, it’s in the experience that follows. Every moment leading up to that fifth visit counts:
- Smooth onboarding and studio orientation
- Coach consistency
- A class experience that feels persona, and easy to follow
Data shows members crave consistency and clarity (Mariana Tek, 2026). CloudFit delivers that consistency on screen, clearly displaying programming, reps, and timers. CloudFit AI supports the programming process behind the scenes by helping coaches generate and refine workout ideas more efficiently.
3️⃣ Community Drives Growth
In 2025, word of mouth remained the #1 acquisition channel for 86% of studios (Mariana Tek, 2026). It’s proof that the best marketing strategy is still a happy member.
At Beyond Activ, the most progressive brands didn’t introduce themselves as gyms, they called themselves communities, clubs, or spaces. The workout was the product, but belonging was the value.
We’re seeing this play out across CloudFit-partnered gyms, where studios are using screens to include:
- Member shoutouts and birthdays
- Class themes and event promos
- Tips or prompts that appear during rest or water breaks
These simple visual moments help every class feel more collective, and give members something to talk about long after they leave.
4️⃣ Gen Z Is Shaping the Next Era
Gen Z attendance grew 11% in the past three years and shows no sign of slowing (Mariana Tek, 2026). For many, the gym has become their “third place.”
At Beyond Activ, panel after panel confirmed it: younger members want brands that stand for something, coaches who feel human, and tech that fits naturally into their digital lives.
They:
- Use wellness apps weekly
- See health as a status symbol
- Expect experiences to be trackable and shareable
CloudFit supports this expectation inside the room. Sessions are structured and visible on screen, so members understand the flow and feel part of a shared experience, while CloudFit AI helps coaches prepare sessions more efficiently before class even begins.
5️⃣ Recovery and Wellness Are Now Baseline
Wellness is no longer a “nice-to-have” it’s the new floor of fitness. 27% of studios already offer recovery services, and another 25% plan to (Mariana Tek, 2026).
Cryo, infrared, saunas, and cold therapy are moving into the mainstream, and members expect education to match the experience.
With CloudFit, studios can use their existing screens to run guided cooldowns, display stretch flows, recovery timers, and simple education, so the why behind recovery is just as visible as the workout itself. Longevity becomes something you show and teach, not just mention.
6️⃣ Science Became the New Selling Point
2025 marked a clear shift: wellness and performance brands began backing their claims with real science, advisory boards, medical partnerships, and evidence-based education.
For studios, credibility now requires proof.
CloudFit helps bring that conversation into the room by displaying coach-approved, evidence-based education on screen, while CloudFit AI supports the programming process by helping coaches generate relevant movement ideas aligned with their training philosophy.
7️⃣ Women’s Health & Strength Lead the Charge
Studios expect women’s health and strength training to be two of the biggest drivers in 2026, and they’re closely linked (Mariana Tek, 2026).
CloudFit’s modular display system allows studios to clearly communicate women-focused strength sessions, while CloudFit AI assists coaches in building and refining workouts faster, making it easier to support specialised programs without increasing programming load.
8️⃣ Events & Expansion Are the New Marketing
Boutique fitness brands are taking their energy beyond studio walls. 61% plan to host special events, and 79% plan to expand to new locations within two years (Mariana Tek, 2026).
From pop-ups to partnerships to multi-location growth, CloudFit becomes the visual hub, displaying upcoming events, challenges, and community moments, while maintaining consistent branding across every location.
9️⃣ Tech + Touch = The Future of Coaching
88% of studios say instructors are the #1 factor in brand success (Mariana Tek, 2026). Technology should never replace coaches, it should support them.
CloudFit handles structure on screen, timers, movements, sets, and rest, while CloudFit AI supports coaches before class by assisting with exercise selection and workout ideas.
That balance gives instructors more time to coach, correct, and connect.
🔟 Fitness Is Now a Lifestyle Infrastructure
Fitness spaces are evolving into cultural anchors, places to train, learn, recover, and connect.
The future of fitness is holistic. And the technology that supports it must stay human.
CloudFit lives in that space, combining display technology with CloudFit AI to support smarter workout programming and turn great ideas into clear, repeatable, scalable on-screen experiences that members feel and remember long after they leave.
Curious how leading gyms are using CloudFit to bring structure, consistency, and smarter programming into every class?
Send us a message today and we’ll walk you through how leading gyms are using CloudFit and how you can apply it in your own space.
