The Rise of the Social Workout: Strava Reveals 2024’s Fitness Trends
SAN FRANCISCO, December 4, 2024 – Move over, nightclubs, there’s a new place to make connections: running clubs. Strava, the leading app for athletes worldwide, has unveiled its annual Year In Sport: Trend Report, revealing a seismic shift in the fitness landscape.
Drawing on billions of data points from its 135-million-strong global community and a survey of over 5,000 active individuals, Strava’s report paints a picture of a generation prioritizing balance and connection over burnout.
Making Fitness Social:
One of the most striking trends is the surge in group workouts. "Run club is the new nightclub," Strava’s data suggests, with a 59% increase in participation globally. Perhaps surprisingly, Gen Z is leading the charge, with nearly one in five reporting they’ve gone on a date with someone they met during a workout. That generation is also four times more likely to seek out romance through exercise than at a bar.
And the benefits extend beyond finding love. Over half of survey respondents found new friends through fitness groups, proving that shared sweat can lead to lasting bonds.
These social workouts aren’t just about company, they’re pushing people to go further. Strava found that individuals clocked an average 40% increase in activity length when exercising with ten or more people compared to solo outings.
Balance, Not Burnout:
The report also reveals a move away from the "no pain, no gain" mentality. Endurance athletes, in particular marathon runners, are increasingly embracing rest and recovery. Strava noted a 51% increase in rest days during marathon training schedules, highlighting a focus on long-term sustainability.
This shift towards balance doesn’t mean goals are being abandoned. In fact, 72% of running and 77% of cycling goals were achieved in 2024.
Even shorter workouts are gaining popularity. Over a fifth of ‘workouts’ logged on Strava were under 20 minutes, suggesting a preference for micro-movements that easily fit into busy schedules.
Breaking Barriers:
The report emphasizes that these trends are impacting people of all ages and backgrounds.
"Boomers and Gen X outpaced Millennials and Gen Z in both mileage and achieving respective King, or Queen of the Mountain (KOM/QOM) crowns," the report states.
Women are also smashing stereotypes. They were 20% more likely to snag a KOM/QOM than men in 2024.
The fitness landscape is also becoming more inclusive. Strava saw a 25% increase in weight training uploads among women, a 11% surge in female cyclists, and a 15% rise in men uploading yoga or pilates sessions.
Gear Up for 2025:
Strava’s report also delves into the gear that defined 2024. The Nike Pegasus reigned supreme among runners, with 5k enthusiasts favoring Apple Watches and long-distance runners opting for Garmin Forerunners. “Democratization of the super shoe” is another trend spotted – usage of elite carbon shoes across all race distances surged by 14% year-over- year.
Beyond the shelves, Strava predicted blue as the new black for workout gear in 2025, while sock choices stoked intergenerational divides: Gen Z favored crew socks, while Gen X preferred no-show.
“This year showed that people are taking control of their active lives and moving in a way that works for them,” says Zipporah Allen, Chief Business Officer at Strava. "The rise of a more relaxed workout routine that’s rooted in social connection proves that working out is no longer about burning out."
Strava’s Year In Sport: Trend Report confirms that fitness in 2024 is about more than just hitting personal records. It’s about community, balance, and accessibility.
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