Young Adults Shift Gym Habits to Strength Training
UK young adults are increasingly choosing strength training over cardio, driven by health and physique goals, with many prioritising fitness spending above
More young people are choosing weights and explosive training over traditional cardio to build strength and improve physique. This shift is driven by personal goals and perceived health benefits, with Sport England data confirming more young adults now use gym weights and machines compared to nine years ago.
Student Will Seward, 19, started going to the gym at secondary school. He wanted to get stronger and build up his physique. Seward works out usually three times a week. His workouts changed from running machines and exercise bikes to more explosive training using weights.
How experts view the benefits of resistance training
Exercise specialists highlight that resistance training delivers faster improvements in body composition. It also offers broad health protections comparable to aerobic activity.
Dr Andrew Scott, an exercise expert from the University of Portsmouth, says resistance training can improve body composition and shape more quickly than aerobic exercise training. Recent research suggests two hours of strength training per week may offer benefits similar to regular aerobic exercise. These include lowering heart disease and stroke death risk, protecting the brain, and boosting self-esteem.
Real-life examples: from personal trainers to everyday gym-goers
Antonia Duffin, 34, combines her supermarket operations job with running a women’s gym in a shipping container in Manchester. She became a personal trainer alongside her day job. Her gym offers barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells, and cable machines.
Cordelia Sheridan, a 27-year-old events manager, exercises four to five times a week at her gym in Battersea. She treats her £45 gym membership like an essential utility bill. Sheridan lives just five minutes walk from her gym and goes at 6.30am before work. She spends 10 minutes on a stair-climbing machine then 35 minutes using weights and machines to strengthen thighs, hips, and lower back.
The role of community and accessibility in sustaining exercise
Social connection and easy access to local fitness options are key motivators. This is especially true for young people balancing work and wellness.
Organised, social running is thriving. Children, 20-somethings, and over 50s account for a growing share of parkrun participants. Parkrun has over 1,400 free events across the UK every weekend. Hybrid training events like Hyrox are also described as sociable and competitive.
Prof Esther van Sluijs, a professor of behavioural epidemiology from Loughborough University, says community exercise offers social connection. She says easy access to community clubs close to home is very important, especially for young people working from home.
Financial commitment reflects shifting priorities
Despite costs, many young adults now rank fitness spending above holidays and dining out. A growing share invests significantly in their health each month.
More than a quarter of 16-34 year olds say paying for gym membership and keeping fit is a top spending priority, over holidays and eating out. This is according to UK Active data. A 2026 survey by the Gym Group found a third of Gen Z spent £26-50 per month on health and fitness. A quarter spent more than £50. This priority increased from a fifth in 2024.
Running remains the most common form of exercise for young men and women and is in the top two activities for adults overall. Younger age groups were also more likely to do shorter bursts of vigorous activity weekly like fitness classes, aerobics, or football. Cordelia Sheridan said: "I want to go into my 30s being strong."
