As a 20-something gym-goer (who might not look like it lol!) I just wanted to add a comment…and maybe something for you to look into…on your 4th point, “This is partly about young people health-maxing in an age of declining social connection.” From what I have seen in my own life, my friend’s, and community, the fitness boom is indeed a direct response to declining social connection. But that’s because gyms and workout classes are where many people go specifically to seek out a social life, to talk to people, to attend events, to be a member of a community. Gyms are becoming social hubs. Your Tuesday 7:30am pilates class regulars have a group chat and you check in on each other week to week. In a time when you can’t meet people at a bar, or at church, or seemingly anywhere else, it seems to me that gyms have been filling that void for social connection, to get out of the house and around people…
You’re totally right. I’m in my mid-30s, I used to teach group fitness classes, and most of my friends are still people I know from the classes I attended and taught. I wrote about this for The Atlantic once, that’s how strongly I believe that the gym is many people’s best option for friend-making right now (this is a free gift link):
I’m 40-something and fitness for me is very social as well: I go to the gym at the same times each week and see the same people, I go for regular walks with friends, and in the summer I race a sailboat with friends on Wednesday evenings. I have never thought about it as intentional, but seems safe to say that these social fitness activities have replaced some social eating, drinking, going out, etc that I used to do!
There are many psychological benefits to exercise. One of them is a sense of control. There are many things in life that people are unable to control, or at least unable to substantially control. Provided that a person is generally healthy and unaffected by significant physical limitations, fitness can be maintained simply by the consistent application of effort. The payback from the investment of time is almost guaranteed and it provides an ongoing sense of achievement and self-worth over and above the physical well being. Although I have not seen data, I would be surprised if people did not feel a general reduction in control of their lives over the last 15 years, for obvious reasons. This sense of lost control may also explain an increase in exercise activity. My personal experience is that nothing calms anxiety like a good workout, and we all know how much anxiety is on the rise.
I do want to caution about the reliability of the American Time Use Survey. Basically, it's finding a group of Americans who will faithfully record their use of time on one day and then respond to detailed questioning. The categories of Time Use can be very tricky, especially as technologies change and as people multi-task. I used an example of a FaceTime with my daughter and grandson while eating I was breakfast. That felt like socializing but it would not have been categorized as such by the ATUS.
Also, it's gotten increasingly difficult to get participants to respond to this survey in an adequate way. That could signal a deterioration in the accuracy of the ATUS.
I wrote a post (below) inspired by Derek and Emily's conversation about partying less. While I don't dispute that they are right, I think it's important to understand that the ATUS may ned to be revamped so that we get better data to understand and address social issues.
Fascinating post, Derek. I wrote a Note about one of the reasons for the boom I think you missed (I’m comment-bombing this piece but this is very much my sandbox), and want to add something else: I’m a certified group fitness instructor who taught indoor cycling (like SoulCycle et al) for about six years, including a year or two post-COVID. The cycling-to-Pilates pipeline is about something else, too, imo:
The most popular cycling classes were those that purported to be “full-body” classes, so you’d do a bunch of regular cycling but then have a couple songs where you’d pump little hand weights on the bike (this is actually unsafe and not a good workout in the way people think it is, but that’s a convo for another time).
The cycling classes that are still popular still do that; the ones that don’t — mine never did — aren’t ones people want to go to. A lot of people are chasing the “full-body” idea, for various reasons, and Pilates has brilliantly positioned itself as the best way to accomplish that but not get too “bulky.” I think the most popular trends for women are always going to be the ones that allege to give you a full-body “burn” without making you hulk out. The rub is — often these are the least effective (or, less effective) for meaningful progress and strength building. Drives me nuts!
Here is a couple of observations. One reason for the increase in time spent in exercise among older people might be pickleball. It has really caught on. It's easy to learn, and a social activity.
Another: We live in a senior living center (over 55). Two pools, two golf courses, a gym; pickleball, tennis, and every sport imaginable. Walking? Because it is a gated community, older women can walk with each other safely early in the mornings and at night. How much of the increase for older people, over the years, is because there are more of these types of places?
It's interesting, Derek, but I see the trend with my in-laws, 78 and 79. My mother-in-law walks in the neighborhood every day, something she wasn't necessarily doing 10 years ago. My father-in-law is an avid yoga participant.
It’s interesting, while obesity rates have very recently started to wane (hopefully that’s a trend and not a blip) it’s still very high, historically.
As a result, I like we increasingly have a bit-polar fitness world. Walking around, I tend to see guys who are jacked…or fat. (Used guy’s as an example because guys who work out are more easy to notice in passing than for women, typically)
That could be availability bias and it’s certainly anecdotal. But reading this made me think of it.
Is there a social media/influencer motivator too? Our feeds are populated with lots of good looking, fit people, and I get inundated with ads on how I can get better toned (probably as a result of my age and income).
Derrick, listening to podcasts and audible while walking is just the best, especially yours. Why would I want to hang out with anyone else when I can hang out with you and exercise at the same time.
I am one of those older women leading the exercise boom for elders. Thanks for this fascinating and informative article. I’m forwarding it to my personal trainer!
I personally align with the data. In my case, I simply saw the effects of the pandemic-induced sloth and finally decided to do something about it. There have been fitness crazes before. To some extent it's just the ebb and flow of trends.
As a 20-something gym-goer (who might not look like it lol!) I just wanted to add a comment…and maybe something for you to look into…on your 4th point, “This is partly about young people health-maxing in an age of declining social connection.” From what I have seen in my own life, my friend’s, and community, the fitness boom is indeed a direct response to declining social connection. But that’s because gyms and workout classes are where many people go specifically to seek out a social life, to talk to people, to attend events, to be a member of a community. Gyms are becoming social hubs. Your Tuesday 7:30am pilates class regulars have a group chat and you check in on each other week to week. In a time when you can’t meet people at a bar, or at church, or seemingly anywhere else, it seems to me that gyms have been filling that void for social connection, to get out of the house and around people…
You’re totally right. I’m in my mid-30s, I used to teach group fitness classes, and most of my friends are still people I know from the classes I attended and taught. I wrote about this for The Atlantic once, that’s how strongly I believe that the gym is many people’s best option for friend-making right now (this is a free gift link):
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2024/11/group-fitness-exercise-friendship/680713/?gift=U91cjk6PBGoHLQxXjp2bZxPJcF6HeAiDxWlpvTq-orQ&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
I’m 40-something and fitness for me is very social as well: I go to the gym at the same times each week and see the same people, I go for regular walks with friends, and in the summer I race a sailboat with friends on Wednesday evenings. I have never thought about it as intentional, but seems safe to say that these social fitness activities have replaced some social eating, drinking, going out, etc that I used to do!
There are many psychological benefits to exercise. One of them is a sense of control. There are many things in life that people are unable to control, or at least unable to substantially control. Provided that a person is generally healthy and unaffected by significant physical limitations, fitness can be maintained simply by the consistent application of effort. The payback from the investment of time is almost guaranteed and it provides an ongoing sense of achievement and self-worth over and above the physical well being. Although I have not seen data, I would be surprised if people did not feel a general reduction in control of their lives over the last 15 years, for obvious reasons. This sense of lost control may also explain an increase in exercise activity. My personal experience is that nothing calms anxiety like a good workout, and we all know how much anxiety is on the rise.
This is a good article and a good trend.
I do want to caution about the reliability of the American Time Use Survey. Basically, it's finding a group of Americans who will faithfully record their use of time on one day and then respond to detailed questioning. The categories of Time Use can be very tricky, especially as technologies change and as people multi-task. I used an example of a FaceTime with my daughter and grandson while eating I was breakfast. That felt like socializing but it would not have been categorized as such by the ATUS.
Also, it's gotten increasingly difficult to get participants to respond to this survey in an adequate way. That could signal a deterioration in the accuracy of the ATUS.
I wrote a post (below) inspired by Derek and Emily's conversation about partying less. While I don't dispute that they are right, I think it's important to understand that the ATUS may ned to be revamped so that we get better data to understand and address social issues.
https://robertsdavidn.substack.com/p/are-we-socializing-less-or-socializing
Fascinating post, Derek. I wrote a Note about one of the reasons for the boom I think you missed (I’m comment-bombing this piece but this is very much my sandbox), and want to add something else: I’m a certified group fitness instructor who taught indoor cycling (like SoulCycle et al) for about six years, including a year or two post-COVID. The cycling-to-Pilates pipeline is about something else, too, imo:
The most popular cycling classes were those that purported to be “full-body” classes, so you’d do a bunch of regular cycling but then have a couple songs where you’d pump little hand weights on the bike (this is actually unsafe and not a good workout in the way people think it is, but that’s a convo for another time).
The cycling classes that are still popular still do that; the ones that don’t — mine never did — aren’t ones people want to go to. A lot of people are chasing the “full-body” idea, for various reasons, and Pilates has brilliantly positioned itself as the best way to accomplish that but not get too “bulky.” I think the most popular trends for women are always going to be the ones that allege to give you a full-body “burn” without making you hulk out. The rub is — often these are the least effective (or, less effective) for meaningful progress and strength building. Drives me nuts!
And any fear women have of "hulking out" is mostly unfounded. They'd have to go crazy with the exercise for that to actually happen.
As a 4x weekly weight lifter, trust me, I know. I *wish* I could gain muscle as crazily as people assume it’ll happen
Fun and informative post.
Here is a couple of observations. One reason for the increase in time spent in exercise among older people might be pickleball. It has really caught on. It's easy to learn, and a social activity.
Another: We live in a senior living center (over 55). Two pools, two golf courses, a gym; pickleball, tennis, and every sport imaginable. Walking? Because it is a gated community, older women can walk with each other safely early in the mornings and at night. How much of the increase for older people, over the years, is because there are more of these types of places?
It's interesting, Derek, but I see the trend with my in-laws, 78 and 79. My mother-in-law walks in the neighborhood every day, something she wasn't necessarily doing 10 years ago. My father-in-law is an avid yoga participant.
Solid!
It’s interesting, while obesity rates have very recently started to wane (hopefully that’s a trend and not a blip) it’s still very high, historically.
As a result, I like we increasingly have a bit-polar fitness world. Walking around, I tend to see guys who are jacked…or fat. (Used guy’s as an example because guys who work out are more easy to notice in passing than for women, typically)
That could be availability bias and it’s certainly anecdotal. But reading this made me think of it.
Is there a social media/influencer motivator too? Our feeds are populated with lots of good looking, fit people, and I get inundated with ads on how I can get better toned (probably as a result of my age and income).
Derrick, listening to podcasts and audible while walking is just the best, especially yours. Why would I want to hang out with anyone else when I can hang out with you and exercise at the same time.
The healthy youths of the 1980s are the healthy elderly today
I am one of those older women leading the exercise boom for elders. Thanks for this fascinating and informative article. I’m forwarding it to my personal trainer!
I personally align with the data. In my case, I simply saw the effects of the pandemic-induced sloth and finally decided to do something about it. There have been fitness crazes before. To some extent it's just the ebb and flow of trends.