Let’s be honest, fitness has gone fully mainstream. Everywhere you look, someone’s signing up for their first 5K, trying to beat their time in another half-marathon, or showing up to their first run club in a hydration vest and brand-new HOKAs like it’s some kind of athleisure runway. Honestly, when they’re mid-stride, it kind of is.
Salomon XT-6s are going viral, hydration gels are being tossed around like party favors, and according to Strava’s Year in Sport Trend Report, running has officially claimed the crown as this year’s biggest fitness obsession. Here’s a closer look at the biggest trends, surprising stats, and what they reveal about where fitness is headed this year.
Related: Looking Ahead at the Biggest Fitness Trends of 2025 and the Worst Fads to Leave in the Past
Gen Z Is Crushing the Running Game
If you've ever heard that Gen Z is the “laziest generation,” it’s time to reconsider. Those born between 1997 and 2012, currently 13 to 28 years old, are crushing the running scene. In 2025 alone, Gen Zers made up 38 percent of 5K participants, 39 percent of 10K runners, 31 percent of half-marathoners, and 33 percent of full marathoners. Their biggest motivator? Staying committed to a race they already signed up for (75 percent say it’s what keeps them hitting the pavement).
Gen Z Is Pumping Iron
Gen Z isn’t just leading the pack in running—they’re making serious gains in the weight room too. Members of this generation are twice as likely as older groups to say lifting is their main sport. With regular social media use( Gen Z makes up 27 percent of all users), it’s no surprise that many are training with aesthetics in mind. What is surprising is that while women in this age group are 21 percent more likely to record their lifts on Strava, they’re also 38 percent more likely to fear getting “bulky,” a myth we all wish would finally die.
Strava Is the New Social Flex
While the last decade was all about hearting dog photos, deadlift PRs, and wedding pics, Strava is flipping the script. Instead of endlessly scrolling, people are using the app’s “kudos” feature to celebrate others’ wins and give a virtual high-five that actually sticks. It is working in real life, too. Fifty percent of Gen Z say they plan to use Strava even more in 2026, leaving less time for doomscrolling on TikTok or Instagram. Not to mention, Strava reports that for every two minutes spent on the app, users spend an hour being active. That is a trade-off we can get behind.
Related: Trainer-Approved Running Tips That Prevent Injury and Boost Endurance
Fitness Is the New Social Scene
Running, especially through run clubs, has become one of the best ways to meet people in real life. While gym rats and seasoned runners have always known that workouts are great for making friends or even finding a significant other, this trend has only grown. With more people turning to fitness for social connection, 39 percent of Gen Z and Gen X say it’s one of their top ways to meet like-minded people. Beyond friendship, one in five Gen Z users reported going on a date with someone they met through exercise. If you needed a reason to put down the dating apps and lace up your running shoes, this is it.
from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/d1MBJVs
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