Fitness Over the Feed: The New Social Currency

In a survey of over 30,000 users, a clear trend emerged: Gen Z is prioritizing physical fitness over social media. More than half of Gen Z respondents stated they plan to spend more time on fitness apps in 2026. While they aren't deleting TikTok or Instagram just yet, they are intentionally "quiet quitting" the endless scroll to reclaim their time.

“As the fastest-growing demographic on Strava, Gen Z is looking for real-life experiences rather than more screen time,” said Michael Martin, CEO of Strava. “This generation is rewriting the rules, and we are committed to building a platform that supports human connection and collective movement for generations to come.”

The "club" feature on the app exploded this year, with the number of new fitness clubs increasing nearly fourfold to reach one million. Walking groups grew the fastest, skyrocketing 5.8x compared to last year, followed closely by run clubs, which saw a 3.5x increase.

Spending Shifts: Performance Gear is the New "Date Night"

Despite 65% of Gen Z reporting that inflation has impacted their wallets, 30% plan to increase their fitness budget in 2026. The study found that 64% of Zoomers would rather drop cash on high-performance gear—like the latest Hoka runners or Lululemon apparel—than on a traditional date. Interestingly, they are 39% more likely than Gen X to use fitness as a way to meet potential partners who share their interests.

Another major trend: Women logged 21% more strength training sessions this year. Gen Z is also twice as likely as Gen X to name lifting as their primary sport. This shift toward "main character energy" in the weight room helped drive a total of 14 billion likes on the platform in 2025, a 20% increase from 2024.

"Strength training has moved from a niche bodybuilding subculture to a foundational pillar of longevity and aesthetic for women in 2025," notes a wellness editor at Vogue.

From Pilates to Parkour: The Variety Era

The “2025 Look Back Report” from ClassPass echoes this demand for variety. Nearly 40% of regular gym-goers now prefer organized group classes. Users are increasingly seeking "dopamine hits" through diverse activities like Kickboxing and HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training).

According to the report, the most popular workout formats globally this year were:

Pilates has maintained its crown for the third year in a row, with popularity surging by 66%. Yoga, strength training, and indoor cycling remain staples, proving that the classics still have rizz.

However, "non-traditional" fitness is where the real growth is happening. Recovery sessions (cryotherapy, sauna, etc.) jumped by 155%, while low-impact workouts doubled. Racquet sports (shoutout to the Pickleball craze) climbed 111%, and interest in parkour rose by 92%. These trends suggest that people are gravitating toward workouts that are functional, fun, and a little bit unconventional.

When it comes to timing, Tuesday was officially the most popular day to hit the gym, while March was the most active month of the year. Interestingly, the data shows that early morning and post-work sessions have the highest "flake rate," while Sunday remains the ultimate "rest and recovery" day for the majority of the fitness community.

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