TRANSCRIPT: GROUP FITNESS TRIPLE THREAT SERIES

Strength training isn't just trending, it's dominating. More people are lifting than ever before, and it's no longer just the gym bros. Women, older adults, and even Pilates lovers are all jumping on board. 

Don't get me wrong, I am team cardio forever. But we are looking at the data and the trends and how that impacts us as instructors. And if you're an instructor who's still prioritizing cardio heavy classes over strength, then you're missing the biggest shift in fitness today. 

I'm Will Brereton and in this episode, we're breaking down the data. The why, and most importantly, the how. of how you can use the strength trend to level up your classes. Let's go. 

Let's start with the data. 

65 percent of men and 52 percent of women now incorporate strength training into their workouts. Now that's a big shift from just a decade ago when cardio was king. Here's my take on this. It's partly the trickle down impact of trends like CrossFair and Hyrox, and partly the fact that strength training makes much better Instagram content.

People might be moving away from influencers, but we do know that the Fitfluencer really focused in on strength because it made for good content. A nice picture, a good video, a good carousel. And the thing is, the benefits of strength training can't be ignored. The science backs it up and the aesthetic elements are clear.

The fitness app Strava reports that weight training is the fastest growing sport amongst women in 2024. And the American College of Sports Medicine, which always brings out a top ranking list of the biggest trends in fitness ranks traditional strength training as the top ranked modality for 2025.

Research shows that it plays a critical role in long term health. Injury prevention and self esteem. When we talk about health span, strength is the most important thing. I know that influencers are all over your feed showing off perfect peach emojis and mirror muscles and slick workout videos. But behind this glossy social media veneer is a deeper, more powerful message that people are resonating with.

Sure, a great body looks good, but real strength training builds lasting health, prevents injuries, and boosts self esteem. The research backs it up. Incorporating strength training into your routine isn't just about looking lean. It's about strengthening your bones, enhancing your balance, and setting a solid foundation for long term wellness.

Now, online fitness platform Obé Fitness saw strength training enrolments multiply by 10 in 2024 compared with 2023, particularly amongst older women. Strength training is becoming the go to for perimenopausal and menopausal women looking to maintain bone density and muscle mass. Now, if you're listening to this and want a deeper dive into menopause related topics, then definitely go and check out my friend and friend of the pod, Tracy Minnoch's social media, which I will put into the show notes as she specializes on menopause and fitness.

ClassPass, who always gives good data, reports that strength training is now the top cross training choice for pilates, cycling, running, and boxing lovers. So strength, or resistance training, or weights, However you want to describe it is now seen as  a critical necessary component of a balanced fitness routine. 

Planet Fitness, the biggest gym in the world with well over 2000 locations and 14 million members has shifted its entire gym set up to prioritize strength over cardio, especially for Gen Z who 25 percent of their member base.

The direct quote from the CFO of Planet Fitness on a year end earnings call was that Gen Z clearly seemed to prefer strength and functional workouts versus cardio. Treadmills still get about the same level of use, but things like ellipticals and bikes, far less.

Why is this?

Well it seems like Gen Z is picking up dumbbells instead of spending hours and hours doing cardio. And the takeaway is that strength is no longer a niche market, it is the core of fitness. 

So, why is this happening? The first is the push for stronger, not just skinnier. That old school burn calories with cardio mindset has faded. In fact, as we're going to talk about in a later episode, Weight loss is quickly becoming associated more with an injection than with hours on a cardio machine.

People want to build their bodies, not just shrink them. And strength training delivers visible results, increased confidence, and long term functional benefits. We're focused on longevity and healthspan over aesthetics. Don't get me wrong, it's about looking good. But it's not just about looking good.

Science backs up that strength training reduces the risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. And more people,, are realizing that lifting weights is one of the best things you can do to age well. While people may come to strength training for the way it makes them look, They're sticking with it for the way it makes them feel and while we might talk about older cohorts Gen Z is driving this change.

In survey after survey, Gen Z states that they want strength, performance, and functional movement. They're less interested in traditional cardio and more focused on getting stronger and moving better which means that if your class isn't delivering on those You're going to struggle with this group of exerciser.

As always, we're about the actionable tip, so here's how to stay ahead of the strength training movement. First up, incorporate strength into your teaching repertoire. Now the key thing is, if you're an instructor, this doesn't have to mean heavy weights.  The resurgence of Pilates has a lot to do with the fact that it's being recognized as a strength building workout. And obviously, Matt Pilates uses bodyweight only. Even if your class is cardio based, you can add bodyweight, resistance bands, or small dumbbells to increase muscular engagement. 

Reframe how you coach

In fairness, I think that if you're listening to this, you probably stopped doing this years ago because you do care about how we deliver classes. But, the days of talking about calorie burn are over. Start talking about building strength, endurance, and resilience to your classes. 

Finally, make strength training accessible as an instructor. Many people, especially women, according to most surveys, still feel intimidated by the weights room and by weights in general. But here's the great thing about group fitness and what's important about us as instructors. We know that classes Our classes are a space where women are more likely to feel comfortable, so give them an entry point in your classes with scalable, strength focused options.

Use the group fitness superpower of connection to encourage more people in. Bottom line, strength training is no longer optional. If you want a successful instructing career. It's what people want. But the key takeaway that I want you to know if you're listening to this and you're not currently teaching strength is to not see this as intimidating.

The old days of needing to look strong with a barbell to teach a strength class are simply a thing of the past. Find the particular style of strength that you enjoy and share this with your members.

In fact, our very next episode is going to deep dive into how the Pilates trend is impacting our approach to strength and how it's evolving in ways that nobody expected.

If you haven't downloaded our Group Fitness Triple Threat Guide, grab it now using the link in the show notes, because it breaks down everything we've covered about strength training. Plus gives you a complete action plan for every major shift happening in our industry.

And if you haven't hit subscribe yet, now's the time. Part one of our series is laying the foundation for everything that's changing in group fitness. You don't want to miss out on what's coming next. Until next time, this is the Group Fitness Triple Threat.