Young people are increasingly treating gyms as social hubs similar to how previous generations treated pubs, according to major media reports. About 40% (360,000) of The Gym Group's members are Gen Z (adults under 29), and 51% of those have formed a new friendship at the gym. Digital creator Sydney Cassidy said, 'The gym is my space to get a social fix and to talk to and see people.
' Gyms are positioning themselves as alternative social spaces, encroaching on the traditional role of bars and nightclubs, said Paul Davies, senior director of leisure and trends at Mintel. Will Orr, chief executive of The Gym Group, noted that Gen-Z fitness fanatics are opting for gym memberships over pints, with social media trends driving young Brits to socialize at gyms rather than nightclubs. The cost of living squeeze is prompting young people to think more carefully about spending, with gym memberships seen as a more affordable leisure option, Orr explained.
The gym is my space to get a social fix and to talk to and see people.
He said, '£25 a month [the average membership] is about a round of drinks. ' However, rates of binge drinking are rising sharply among young Brits, suggesting Gen-Z may not be as sober as often thought, according to major media. The extent of this trend across different regions or demographics in the UK is not fully known.
The Gym Group is investing in premium sites with designs similar to bars or nightclubs, featuring dimmer lighting, neon strips, and exposed building features, Orr said. He emphasized, 'What we're trying to do is improve the perceived value of our gyms. We're not trying to pivot towards the premium sector in any shape or form.
I don't go out drinking.