Digital fatigue is growing, and younger generations are ending their scrolling and turning their attention to other activities like working out.
In its annual Year in Sport: Trend Report, Strava, the popular fitness tracking app, shows there has been a clear shift for Gen Z with fitness, community and wellness becoming priorities.
According to the report, 30% of Gen Z plan to spend more time and money on fitness in 2026, with investments in memberships and wearables and incorporating workouts into vacations and trips.
Top activities for the year included running and racing, weight training and walking, with those of all fitness levels tracking their progress. Those traveling were seen to plan around activities including winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, hiking, and water sports such as surfing and swimming.
Gen Z is 75% more likely than Gen X to choose racing — such as marathons — as their fitness activity, and are 2x more likely to hit the weight rooms than Gen X. Women are also showing up in these trends as they were 21% more likely to record their weight training on Strava than men.
There was a rise in workouts for different fitness levels as well, with beginners joining the app and logging their progress with activities from walking — the second most recorded activity — to running. 60% of users rated themselves as either beginner or intermediate runners and 86% of users achieved a personal best.
Community-based workouts were also popular, with many users of the app starting clubs and organizing events, creating real world connections. These events rose 1.5x year-over-year.
“As the fastest-growing demographic on Strava, we know that Gen Z is looking for real experiences, not more time staring at screens,” said Strava CEO Michael Martin, in a statement.
Another rising trend for the younger generation was recovery. Post-workout wellness was shown to be just as important as the workout itself, with Strava users using Friday as a rest and recovery day.
What does this mean for gyms? Embrace the trends.
Incorporating strength training and cross-training will appeal to younger generations. Market the social and community aspects of fitness such as clubs, group classes and events to build connection. Find ways to offer recovery opportunities. These efforts will draw Gen Z to fitness facilities.
In an age when social media is growing stale, community and movement is rising. Gyms that lean into that shift will rise and lead as well.
