If you've noticed more young women picking up dumbbells, joining strength classes, or spending time in the weight room, you're not imagining it. Strength training is having a moment, and Gen Z women are helping lead the way.
Gen Z, generally defined as those born between 1997 and 2012 (approximately ages 14–29), is helping reshape the fitness landscape. According to ABC Fitness, Gen Z accounted for 29% of new gym joins in its first-quarter 2024 data. By 2025, that figure had grown to 47% of all new gym joins. Strava's 2025 Year in Sport report found that Gen Z is twice as likely as Gen X to identify weight training as its primary sport. And according to the Health & Fitness Association's 2026 U.S. Consumer Report, adults ages 18–24 had the highest fitness facility membership rate of any age group, at 35.5%. Free-weight usage has also grown faster than any other equipment category since 2021.
So what's driving the interest? It's about more than aesthetics. Women are increasingly recognizing the value of strength for performance, confidence, bone health, overall wellness, and longevity. Social connection, community, and having access to knowledgeable coaching are also important parts of the experience.
As a fitness professional who has spent 15 years serving the UVAC community, I've watched fitness trends and women's needs evolve. And as a mom of two daughters, I think about this shift from a more personal perspective, too. I want young women to grow up understanding that strength isn't defined by how much you weigh or how you look. It's about what your body can do, what you're capable of, and the confidence that comes from feeling strong.
From a fitness director's perspective, these trends also challenge us to keep asking questions. Are we offering enough variety in our strength equipment? Are there opportunities for women who are new to lifting to learn proper technique and feel comfortable in the weight room? Are our classes and personal training programs meeting the needs of different ages, abilities, and experience levels?
At UVAC, we're fortunate to offer a variety of strength-building classes, personal training, and opportunities to build strength in a supportive environment. We want to continue evolving those offerings because strength training isn't just for one generation or one stage of life.
Whether you're 18 or 80, just getting started or have been lifting for years, building strength is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your health.
Strength isn't just having a moment. It's something worth building at every age.
Sources & Further Reading
ABC Fitness. (2024). Q1 2024 Wellness Watch Report: Gen Z and the Future of Fitness. Read report
ABC Fitness. (2025). 2025 Year-End Wellness Watch Report. Read report
Strava. (2025). Year in Sport: 2025 Trend Report. Read report
Health & Fitness Association. (2026). 2026 U.S. Health & Fitness Consumer Report. Read report
Erin K. Buck
Fitness and Personal Training Director
PALS for Life Director VT/NH