The Top 7 Wellness Trends You'll See in 2025

See what will trend in fitness, nutrition + wellbeing -- our 2025 wellness trends prediction! (See 2024's prediction here.)

The San Diego wellness scene is experiencing rapid growth, with innovations and evolving lifestyles pushing the boundaries of what it means to live a healthy and balanced life. As we look ahead to 2025, several key wellness trends are emerging, fueled by shifting cultural norms, evolving social dynamics, and new technologies. From the continued rise of Pilates to the boom of wellness-centric social spaces, here’s a look at the top local and national 2025 wellness trends set to define the coming year.

Have we reached peak Pilates?

While yoga has long been a staple of fitness routines locally and worldwide, Pilates is rapidly outpacing it in popularity, with no signs of slowing down. In San Diego, the Pilates scene has exploded, with over a dozen new Pilates and Lagree studios opening in late 2024 alone. According to ClassPass' 2024 Look Back report, Pilates continued its reign as the most-booked workout globally in 2024, marking its second consecutive year in the top spot. What makes Pilates so irresistible?

The trend is driven by its strong social media presence, with influencers and fitness enthusiasts sharing their routines and encouraging others to join in. Pilates isn't just the "hot girl workout" anymore, either—data from Strava's trend report reveals a growing number of men are participating in Pilates, with a 15% increase in male users tracking Pilates or yoga activities. This represents a broader shift in fitness, as people of all genders and fitness levels embrace Pilates for its full-body strength benefits, low-impact nature, and emphasis on mindful movement.

Wellness over wine: socializing with a side of self-care.

Grand opening of Soul Plunge, a new sauna / cold plunge / yoga studio in La Jolla, CA.

Gone are the days when social gatherings centered around bar-hopping and late-night partying. Enter the wellness social club—a growing phenomenon where fitness, fun, and community collide. Wellness clubs like Coffee + Chill in Mission Beach, offering a mix of vendors, group workouts, and cold plunges, or San Diego Girls Who Walk, are particularly popular among Gen Z and singles looking for healthier ways to meet people. New mom groups are also focused on getting out and getting together, with several more mom groups popping up across the County in 2024.

Strava's 2024 trend report highlights the rise in group activities as a central driver of this shift, with 58% of participants saying they made new friends through fitness groups, and nearly 20% of Gen Z participants going on dates with people they met through exercise. Run clubs and group activities saw a global rise of 59% in 2024, further proving that fitness is becoming the new social playground.

The rise of the non-alcoholic movement.

The “sober curious” community trend made our list in 2024 and shows no sign of slowing down. Monday Morning, San Diego’s first alcohol-free bottle shop and tasting room just opened in PB and Hillcrest is poised to welcome its first dedicated brick-and-mortar non-alcoholic bar, Good News, in 2025. 

Non-alcoholic options are not just a passing fad. Local canned beverage brands such as Improv Booze-Free Cocktails, Boochcraft's Mood functional beverages, and JuneShine's N/A pre- and probiotic kombucha have made a strong mark in the market, offering consumers healthier alternatives to traditional alcohol. This trend is part of a larger cultural shift toward mindful drinking and a desire to prioritize mental clarity and physical health over hangovers and post-party fatigue.

Understanding the unseen health challenge for women.

As more women in their late 30s and 40s experience the physical and emotional shifts of perimenopause and menopause, there's a growing demand for education and solutions. However, the wellness industry has seen an influx of products claiming to alleviate symptoms without sufficient clinical evidence. A recent deep dive into this issue, “The Perimenopause Gold Rush” by The Cut’s Jessica Bennett, highlights a critical gap in healthcare: there has been no comprehensive study on perimenopausal women, and many OB/GYNs receive little to no training on menopause and symptom management.

In 2025, expect a surge in brands, doctors, and wellness professionals stepping up to fill this void by providing better education, research-backed treatments, and effective symptom management. As the conversation around menopause becomes more open and less stigmatized, we may see a rise in personalized hormone therapy, supplements, and holistic approaches aimed at addressing the unique needs of women navigating this life stage.

The rise of alternative protein-rich options.

Strength training was one of the fastest-growing activities among women in 2024, according to Strava's year-end report, and has likely helped fuel the high-protein food trend. While protein powders and bars have long been staples for fitness enthusiasts, there’s a notable shift toward whole food protein sources foods like cottage cheese, nuts, beans and plant-based alternatives.

In addition, there will be a continued focus on organ meats as a superfood, according to Whole Foods’ year-end report. Packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals, organ meats such as liver, kidney, and heart are being combined with traditional cuts of meat like ground beef, making them more accessible and easier to incorporate into everyday cooking. This trend reflects a broader desire for nutrient-dense, minimally processed food that supports overall health and fitness goals.

All-in-one hubs for health, fitness, and socializing.

The new lounge space at MUNICIPAL's flagship store in Oceanside, CA.

The concept of the wellness lifestyle epicenter is becoming increasingly popular, especially in North County San Diego . These spaces are redefining what it means to work, socialize, and take care of yourself all in one place. For example, The Lullabar in Carlsbad, offers childcare while moms and dads attend a wellness workshop, get a massage or mani/pedi, or cowork in their onsite café.

Newcomer Bermuda Club, also in Carlsbad, combines traditional coworking workspace with a golf simulator, gym, sports bar, cold plunge, sauna, and dedicated social hangout areas. Up the coast on the 101, Mark Wahlberg's performance apparel brand MUNICIPAL opened their flagship store in Oceanside together with a café, lounge space and in-store barbershop.

With such spaces sprouting up, it's only a matter of time before similar wellness-centered hubs begin to appear in other parts of San Diego, bringing community, fitness, and lifestyle all under one roof. As more people crave a balanced approach to work and wellness, these epicenters will continue to thrive.

Blending acupuncture and Ayurveda with Western science

As more people seek alternatives to Botox, fillers and invasive procedures, ancient healing traditions like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are making a powerful comeback. Practices such as gua sha, facial acupuncture, and microneedling are increasingly popular for their ability to stimulate collagen production, improve circulation, and promote a youthful glow without harsh chemicals. 

At the same time, Western innovations like LED light therapy, microneedling with PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), and NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) and peptide-based skincare are designed to rejuvenate the skin at a cellular level and are often being combined with these holistic traditions to deliver greater impact. This fusion of ancient wisdom with modern technology is defining the future of beauty in 2025, offering a holistic approach to aging that enhances both appearance and overall well-being. 

From the rise of Pilates and sober gatherings to the shift toward holistic wellness epicenters, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for health and fitness enthusiasts. These trends reflect deeper societal shifts toward mindful living, community-driven fitness, and a desire to prioritize both physical and mental well-being. Whether you’re joining a social wellness club or experimenting with high-protein plant-based snacks, the future of wellness is not just about the body—it’s about fostering connections, embracing new perspectives, and living life with intention.