Young People Are Ditching The Club For The Gym, But Why?

More and more people, specifically from the millennial and gen z generations, are choosing the gym as a main source of socialising instead of pubs and nights out. But what exactly is convincing us to drop the tequila shots and pick up a dumbbell instead?

Up until the last couple of years, going to the gym regularly was something that super productive and disciplined people did to improve their physical health, and there wasn’t much fun to it. You weren’t expected to enjoy going to the gym, and you certainly weren’t expected to socialise while you were there. It’s no wonder that so many people opted out of the “gym rat” culture. However, it looks like a lot has changed since then.

Irish gym chain FLYEfit conducted a survey regarding fitness trends in Ireland, and it found that a whopping 93% of 18-24 years who took the survey said that they would prefer an early morning gym session instead of late night out partying as their Saturday plan.

It also revealed that 58% of people go to the gym to get stronger, while 26% of them see it mainly as a way to improve their mental health. Judging by these numbers, it seems like young people are more in tune with their physical and mental wellbeing than ever. 

@desreclark It really be that way when you two dont live in the same province 🥹 #workingoutwithyourbestie #gymbestie #gymhumor #gymrelatable ♬ 10 DAYS – DB🖤

It’s no shocker that people go to the gym to get stronger and fitter, but what’s interesting is that people now see it as more of a social space. In the UK, a survey done by The Gym Group showed that 37% of 18-24 year olds viewed working out as an opportunity to socialise, while 42% of them said they were able to form new friendships at the gym. But why is the gym, of all places, replacing nights out as a way for young people to socialise? Well, there’s a couple of reasons.

We could start with the fact that nights out, specifically if you plan on drinking, are becoming more and more inaccessible to young people today. One round of drinks could very easily put a €50 dent in your pocket, that’s the same price as an entire month of gym sessions at a quality gym. On top of that there’s club entry fees, taxis and a morning hangover that somehow beats the pain record every time. As for people who don’t drink, the night still somehow ends up being uncomfortably expensive, and people who choose not to drink are usually doing that because they care about their health, meaning they’re probably more likely to have a better time at the gym anyway. 

The gyms themselves have been catching on to this new shift too. With younger people looking to nurture their physical health as well as their need for community, gym studios such as Barry’s and SAINT in Dublin provide a space where people can exercise with others in studios, recover and relax in saunas and steam rooms and socialise in ‘health bars’, all under the one roof. Memberships to these types of gyms are often very expensive, rarely under €100 a month, but it goes to show how much younger people are willing to invest in their health and wellbeing. 

@reformerlabpreston When the reformer has us questioning all our life choices 😂 but we still LOVE the burn 🔥 Book onto your next class with us through the link in bio!! 📍Swim Central #pilates #workout #reformerpilates #bestiesgoals #pilatesgirl ♬ original sound – ColdAudios

There’s also a psychology behind working out with others, reasons that we often gravitate towards public gyms and group classes for exercise, rather than doing it alone. When we involve friends in our workout routine we’re more likely to actually stick to that routine and show up, because we have somebody to hold us accountable if we don’t.

Friends, or even strangers, can motivate us to keep pushing, as well as provide us with the support and encouragement we need to feel confident. Friends also make going to the gym or working out seem like less of a chore and more of a social outing. Sure, maybe your glutes are burning and you’re totally out of breath, but you haven’t seen your bestie in ages! Maybe you could even go for a coffee together afterwards. 

So, maybe it’s not so crazy that going to the gym is the new night out. As young people move away from alcohol and clubbing culture and closer to a more holistic value for their bodies and minds, the gym is the perfect way to get some exercise in and catch up with friends, or perhaps even make new ones. Now, that being said, as much as I love the gym, I don’t see myself opting out of a girls’ night out any time soon. Can I get some protein powder in that vodka cranberry?