Top Coaching Trends in 2025 (Future of Coaching)

Are you wondering what’s next for the coaching industry? 

In this article, we’ll take a look at this year’s most important coaching trends, including the ongoing shift toward digital services and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.

Ready to go? Let’s jump in!

The top coaching trends for 2025 are:

• Digital coaching
• AI 
• Specific coaching niches
• Growth of the mental health and wellness industries 
• Remote work
• Diversity, inclusion, and corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• Coaching results
• Technology and coaching tools

1. Digital coaching

Coaching is becoming an increasingly digital industry. 

In fact, as of 2023, 72% of coaches were offering virtual options, up from just 40% in 2020. 

The pandemic played a big role in that shift. It pushed many aspects of our lives online — and these days, people are simply more accustomed to doing things remotely. 

But even before the pandemic, virtual coaching was gaining traction. 

That’s because online coaching is at least as effective as traditional, face-to-face coaching. And in many cases, it’s actually more suitable for both clients and coaches. 

Some of the benefits of online coaching include: 

• Cost-effectiveness: There’s no need to rent an office. That’s a huge expense you can forget about, and there are no travel costs for you or your clients. 
• Flexibility: Busy clients can get coaching at a time that suits them. And they can log on wherever they want, whether it’s in the break room or on the couch at home. 
• Accessibility: All you need for online coaching is an internet connection and a computer, tablet, or even just a smartphone. That means there’s a huge market for coaches and tons of coaching options for clients around the world.

Recent surveys reflect these benefits, showing that online coaching customers have a satisfaction rate of 87% and a retention rate of 74%. 

Furthermore, more than 60% of adults say they’ll pay for online coaching services that produce personal or professional benefits. 

📚For more of the latest coaching statistics, see this page. 

2. AI and coaching

Coaches are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to improve their services. After all, 65% of businesses are regularly using AI. 

AI coaches are also on the rise, with 35% of coaches expecting that at least 20% of coaches will be replaced by AI. However, 45% of coaches expect AI to be used to augment the coaching practice and according to the International Coaching Federation, 29% believe that AI will make it easier to run their coaching businesses. 

A few ways AI is used in coaching include: 

• Time management: Coaches are using AI to automate administrative tasks like scheduling and customer support. They’re also using it to quickly develop realistic simulations, challenges, and other interactive elements of a coaching program. 
• Data-driven insights: Coaches are using AI to assess and track client outcomes, follow the latest trends in the field, and tailor advice to each client’s unique goals. AI can deliver detailed analyses that would take a TON of time to produce otherwise.  
• Scaling up: AI-driven tools can reduce the costs of coaching significantly, making it easier for coaches to grow their client base and scale their business without compromising on quality. 

Despite the perks of using AI, moderation is key. 

If you rely too much on AI, you risk losing the human element that’s SO essential to any coaching program.Improper use of AI can also produce inaccurate information, overly generic materials, and ethical concerns. 

That’s why it’s so crucial to prioritize your personal experiences and insights — basically, the stuff AI can’t offer. I also recommend investing in learning how to use AI technology effectively, especially generative tools like ChatGPT. 

3. Specific coaching niches 

Thanks in part to the coaching trends we just discussed, the industry is growing, and it’s growing fast.

In fact, according to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), there are 109,200 coaches worldwide — 54% more than in 2019. 

That’s a clear indication of just how popular and commonplace coaching has become.

But with so much competition, how can you maintain a steady stream of clients?

That’s where the niches come in: The more specialized the coaching niche, the better. 

Take relationship coaching for example. It’s a huge field, and people hire relationship coaches for countless reasons. 

That’s why successful relationship coaches tend to choose a sub-niche, such as:

• Coaching for singles
• Family relationship coaching
• Couples coaching
• Coaching for divorcees
• Coaching for adult relationships
• And much more

The same thing applies in any coaching field, whether it’s business coaching, spiritual coaching, or health coaching (more on that one in a sec).

Looking at the bigger picture, the trend toward more specific coaching niches reflects the maturity of the coaching industry. It shows that coaching is becoming more personalized and precise, which ultimately means better support for clients. 

4. Growth of mental health and wellness industries 

Another major driver of the global coaching industry is the rising demand for mental health and wellness services.

A recent McKinsey study showed that 82% of consumers in the US consider wellness to be a priority in their day-to-day lives. Similar figures were found in the UK and China. 

According to the same study, the interest in wellness is especially apparent among millennials and Gen Z, who spend more than older groups on health and wellness purchases (e.g., therapy sessions, fitness memberships, and personal care products). 

So, what do these findings mean for coaching? 

Basically, there’s a HUGE demand for health-related services. And health and wellness coaches are filling in the gap with niche programs such as:

• Fitness coaching
• Nutrition coaching
• Weight loss coaching
• Mindfulness coaching
• Strength and conditioning coaching
• Trauma coaching
• And many others

As a result, the health coach market is booming. In fact, it’s expected to reach $26.61 billion by 2029.   

5. Remote work 

The share of employees working remotely worldwide increased by 15% between 2020 and 2023. And the number of remote jobs is expected to rise by around 25% in the remainder of the decade to about 92 million. 

But here’s the thing: Remote work presents numerous challenges for companies and employees. For example, 53% of remote workers say it’s harder to feel connected to their co-workers. Only 16% of white-collar workers would accept a job without any remote days. And many of them are turning to coaches for guidance, advice, and support in the process. 

In particular, coaches are addressing the following aspects of remote work: 

• Helping people find remote roles
• Maintaining a healthy work-life balance 
• Building a strong team culture 
• Assessing performance and providing feedback
• Strengthening resilience 
• Using new technologies 

Through this type of tailored programming, coaches are empowering businesses to not only adapt to remote environments but also thrive in them. 

6. Diversity, inclusion, and corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Businesses worldwide are rethinking their approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. 

DEI — sometimes just DI — helps shape diverse teams that better reflect and serve diverse customer bases.

Many companies are embracing DEI not only to meet shifting social expectations but also because it’s shown to contribute to long-term success. 

Research indicates that DEI practices can:

• Increase market share
• Stimulate innovation
• Improve customer loyalty 
• Boost engagement and productivity
• Bolster attraction and retention  

That said, many business leaders aren’t sure how best to approach the sometimes-difficult conversations around related topics like: 

• Gender
• Racial bias
• Neurodiversity
• Sexual orientation
• Cultural awareness

For help, they’re turning to DEI coaches, who work closely with companies to foster equality, openness, and belonging in the workplace. 

There’s also increased demand for coaches who are experts in corporate social responsibility (CSR), which is more outwardly focused than DEI. 

CSR emphasizes a company’s broader impact on its community, the environment, and society as a whole.

Like DEI, CSR practices are good for business. They’ve been shown to: 

• Improve a company’s image
• Bolster employee morale
• And increase customer retention and loyalty 

7. Coaching results 

Coaching clients are motivated by the positive change they want to achieve — whether it’s losing weight, starting a small business, or improving their dating profile. 

But these days, there are tons of coaches offering each of those things.  

Accordingly, clients are eager to find coaches who offer tangible results, accountability, and expertise. 

Coaches are meeting that demand by:

• Adopting data-driven approaches
• Setting clear, quantifiable goals
• Implementing effective tracking measures  
• Offering flexible, tailored programs

Showcasing their experience through online content creation. This coaching style is called “coach-sulting” and is a mix of coaching and consulting. 

8. Technology and coaching tools

Lastly, I want to return to the topic of new technologies. 

The popularity of online coaching has driven a 47% increase in the number of online coaching platforms over the past three years. Today, you can find powerful all-in-one coaching platforms like Teachable, Kajabi, and others. 64% of coaches think these platforms are good for the industry. 

You can also find apps and software tailored to tasks like:

• Finding clients
• Developing a coaching program
• Recording sessions
• Communicating with clients
• Providing feedback
• Managing payments
• Customer service
• Building a website
• And much more

Overall, coaching tools are facilitating a shift away from outdated systems and methods as coaches meet the needs of an increasingly diverse, young, and tech-savvy clientele. 👉🏻But remember this: No tool can replace the experience you bring to the table.  

And experience is a key driver of coaching revenue. According to the ICF, more experienced coaches have more clients, charge higher fees, and spend more weekly hours working as a coach.

Having said all that, you can and should use the latest tools to free up more of your time and energy. That way, you can focus on what really matters: Implementing an effective coaching program and growing your business. 

What type of coaching is most in demand? 

According to the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC), there are more than 1.5 million online searches each month for life coaches, business coaches, and executive coaches. 

Those are also some of the most lucrative types of coaching. 

That’s because people are eager to improve fundamental aspects of their lives and achieve transformational changes. 

Also, there are a handful of coaching niches that are growing rapidly to address some of the latest societal, professional, and personal trends we reviewed earlier. 

They include:

• Neurodivergent coaching
• Digital wellness coaching
• AI coaching
• Sustainability coaching
• Ethics coaching
• Emotional intelligence coaching

So, if you’re looking to get started with coaching — or to shift the focus of your existing business — those are some great areas to look into. 

📚For more, check out my list of the 50 most successful types of coaches. 

What is the future of coaching? 

Now that you’re familiar with the latest trends and most popular types of coaching let’s zoom out a bit. 

What’s in store for the coaching industry moving forward? Has it reached its peak?

Let’s see what the data says. 

As of 2022, the global coaching industry was valued at $4.564 billion, representing a massive increase of 60% from 2019. 66% of coaches are extremely or very confident that the industry will grow. 

We already touched on a few of the many reasons why:

• Awareness of coaching (and its benefits) is spreading
• Younger generations are more likely to work with a coach 
• Businesses are using coaching to adapt to new work environments  
• AI is enhancing the effectiveness of coaching programs 

But just how big can the industry get?

The industry is expected to reach $6.2 billion by the end of this year. And Allied Market Research estimates the online coaching market will be worth $11.7 billion by 2032. 

That means we’ve got some exciting years ahead for coaching.

As the industry continues to grow, here are a few additional trends I’ll be keeping an eye on (and you should, too):

• Coachbots: These AI-powered, virtual coaches provide feedback and support to individuals based on user input  
• Virtual reality (VR): Coaches can use VR to create realistic practice scenarios for their clients 
• Micro-coaching: This involves short, focused coaching sessions (sometimes just a few minutes) that address a very specific issue or challenge

What’s next? 

There you have it: The latest coaching trends and how they’re reshaping this thriving industry! 

But if you’re considering starting your own coaching business, where do you start? 

Before I built my business, I asked myself the same question. At the time, I was in a busy 9-5, but couldn’t find a roadmap that would’ve helped me get started. So I spent the next few years figuring it out. 

And I share my biggest lessons in my FREE blueprint on how to build a successful coaching business. Get it now!

Learn more: 

The Best Life Coaching Statistics

Top Benefits of Coaching

How to Become a Coach

How to Design Your First Coaching Package