Older People Are Highly Active but Don’t Love the Gym. Gen Z Is the Opposite

Baby Boomers are the most active generation but younger people are much more likely to attend gyms, according to new research

As people age, they’re more likely to be active but less likely to belong to a gym, health club or fitness studio, a new report suggests.

ABC Fitness released its Fall 2024 Wellness Watch report, which offers data on the fitness preferences of different age groups based on third-party consumer research. 

According to the report, Baby Boomers are the most active generation but younger people are much more likely to attend in-person fitness facilities.

The report shows an inverse relationship between a generation’s stated activity level and the likelihood of its members attending the gym: Gen Z considers itself to be the least active of any generation surveyed but has the highest percentage of gym, studio or health club users. Baby Boomers consider themselves to be highly active but are less likely to frequent gyms, clubs or studios. 

Of those surveyed, 80% of Baby Boomers consider themselves to be active, compared to 73% of Gen X, 76% of Millennials and 66% of Gen Z. 

However, 73% of Gen Z said they’re currently a member of or are using a health club, gym or studio, compared to 72% of Millennials, 54% of Gen X and 42% of Baby Boomers. 

It’s notable that, at least among those surveyed, Gen Z has more people who go to the gym than those who consider themselves active. That means there are at least some Gen Z-ers who belong to a gym, club or studio but don’t call themselves “active.”

Personal Training, Group Fitness & Wearable Preferences

Working out alone is the activity of choice for all generations, although Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to hire a personal trainer, with 38% of those surveyed in each group saying they use in-club personal training services.

Gen Z is the least likely of all age groups to take group fitness classes inside the club. Among those surveyed, only 27% of Gen Z members take group fitness classes, compared to 36% of Millennials, 40% of Gen X and 36% of Baby Boomers. 

All generations show a receptiveness to wearable technology – 56% of Gen Z said they use a fitness wearable, compared to 48% of Millennials, 56% of Gen X and 43% of Baby Boomers. 

Overall, ABC Fitness says the findings point to one universal – and reassuring – truth. People in all age groups are putting more emphasis on their health and wellness. 

“Although the general public has long recognized the importance of physical health, more recently we have seen a growing emphasis on staying active at every stage of life,” said ABC Fitness CEO Bill Davis. “The fitness industry must evolve to support people of all ages, creating a unique opportunity for gyms, studios and personal trainers to personally tailor and help more individuals through their services.”

Key Findings by Generation

The team at ABC Fitness compiled some key findings for each generation surveyed.

Gen Z (ages 18-24) tends to prioritize stress relief and mental health alongside physical fitness. Unsurprisingly, Gen Z tends to be more fickle than other age groups: 55% have been members of their gym, club or studio for less than 12 months.

Millennials (25-39) also prioritize mental health, and they tend to emphasize flexible fitness options that fit into their busy lives. Many Millennials balance traditional in-person gym activities with at-home fitness. 

Gen X (40-55) focuses on maintaining general activity and stress relief. They also seek efficiency and good value for time in their workouts. Gen X members who belong to a gym, club or studio tend to be highly engaged, with 30% visiting clubs more than 12 times per month. 

Baby Boomers (56-65) are the most active generation, and they tend to emphasize staying generally active and looking after their mental health. Boomers who belong to a gym are highly dedicated: 36% visit fitness clubs more than 12 times per month. 

Fitness Brands Race To Attract Gen Z

Fitness brands are racing to win over the hearts and wallets of Gen Z, which has shown a willingness to spend on health and wellness even if it means cutting back on other areas like entertainment.  

Gen Z is flocking to high-value, low-price (HVLP) gyms like Planet Fitness, Crunch Fitness and more, which are winning young people over with affordable membership fees, new strength training equipment and even workout spaces dedicated to filming content for social media. 

On the virtual fitness side, brands like Les Mills have tailored their programming and marketing to capture Gen Z consumers. Les Mills has even embarked on a project to help fitness brands recruit more young fitness instructors. 

Baby Boomers Go Virtual

On the other end of the spectrum, at-home fitness brands have sought to appeal to older generations like Baby Boomers, who continue to prioritize physical activity but often prefer to avoid the gym scene. 

Smart home fitness brand Tonal has made it a point to market the benefits of strength training to older populations. Last year, Tonal launched a series of “Ageless Strength” workouts designed for people aged 55 and older. 

Studies have also shown that regular strength training can offer powerful anti-aging benefits for older people, including improving balance, mobility and resistance to injuries. 

“I’m not going to say strength training is the fountain of youth — but it’s pointing in the right direction,” Tonal executive Matt Bean has told Athletech News. “Whether it’s the reduction in all-cause mortality, the extension of healthspan or even the age-related decline in muscle mass, strength, and bone density, it has become crystal clear just how important it is to resistance train.”

Download the full version of ABC Fitness’ Fall 2024 Wellness Watch here.