This year’s biggest fitness craze taking over social media is all about having a gentle and intuitive approach to exercise to support both the body and mind by prioritising a more meaningful workout
In 2025, one of the biggest wellness shifts isn’t about pushing harder, it’s about softening up. Welcome to the era of ‘soft fitness’, where rest, rhythm, and reconnection are the new gold standard.
Gone are the days of ‘no pain, no gain’. Instead, TikTok and Instagram are flooded with women trading bootcamp circuits and HIIT classes for long walks, gentle Pilates flows, and slow, stretchy yoga sessions. In fact, the hashtag #slowfitness has already amassed hundreds of videos on TikTok. This slower, more sustainable way of moving has gone viral, and for good reason.
Soft fitness is the antidote to hustle culture. It’s about tuning into your body’s cues, moving intuitively, and embracing workouts that prioritise how you feel over how many reps you can smash out. Think yoga, Pilates, walking, mobility work, stretching, and even dancing, all of which emphasise presence over performance.
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Personal trainer and founder of Building Body Confidence, Emma Simarro, says it’s a trend that reflects something deeper. She tells The Mirror: “Soft fitness is a move away from hustle culture. Fitness should always prioritise movement that feels intuitive, and for women, this can look very different on any given day.”
That’s because women’s energy levels naturally rise and fall throughout the month, driven by hormonal shifts. “We are working on a 28-day (on average) cycle after all,” Emma explains. “Some days, we want to smash a sweaty workout, and on others, a slow walk or gentle stretch is exactly what our body needs.”
But don’t mistake gentle for easy. Pilates and yoga may look serene, but they build deep strength, flexibility, and endurance. “Soft fitness doesn’t mean easy fitness,” Emma adds. “I regularly practice yoga and I can tell you, it’s tough!”
The benefits go beyond the physical, too. Slower, low-impact movement is proven to help regulate cortisol levels, improve sleep quality, support hormonal balance, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and burnout.
In fact, a study published in the National Library of Medicine found that just 10 minutes of mindful movement, such as yoga or walking, can significantly reduce stress and improve mood.
In today’s fast-paced, always-on world, that kind of balance matters. Whether it’s a grounding stretch before bed or a quiet walk before a hectic workday, soft fitness offers a way to reconnect with your body on your own terms.
“Slowing down and tuning out is tough for many women to begin with,” says Emma. “But it’s a skill worth learning, and the benefits speak for themselves.”
Ultimately, soft fitness is about rewriting the rules of what a ‘successful’ workout looks like. It’s not about punishment or pressure, it’s about joy, longevity, and showing up for yourself with compassion.
“We want women to enjoy the movement they do,” Emma says. “It’s not about forcing your body into a specific mould. Movement should feel intuitive, and incorporating softer forms is a powerful way to achieve that balance.”
As the soft fitness movement continues to grow, it’s clear this isn’t just a trend; it’s an entirely new approach to exercise. A new way of approaching fitness that values presence over push, connection over competition. A reminder that real strength doesn’t always shout, and sometimes, slowing down is the most powerful move you can make.
