30th June 2026
In the UK, young adults from Gen Z (i.e. those in their mid to late twenties) are driving a huge surge in health and fitness. Nearly three-quarters (73%) use a gym or studio, while some major chains are reporting that almost 50% of their newest sign-ups are no older than 25.
So more young people are shunning big nights out at pubs and clubs for gym workouts, and even socialising there, as reported by the BBC, as they chase the ‘club vibe minus the hangover’. At the same time, alcohol use among young adults has reached record lows.
People in this age group are increasingly viewing exercise as essential to their mental as well as their physical wellbeing, and use it to manage, for example, stress and anxiety as well as general mental health. They also view it as a way of building a community of which they want to be a part.
According to one leading gym group, nearly half of all young adults say socialising, either with those they know or to meet new friends, is a core motivation to exercise. Meanwhile, ukactive says some three-quarters of those in this age group undertake strength training at least once weekly, more than the general population.
The same organisation adds that one in four Gen Z-ers ranks health, fitness and wellness as a top discretionary expense, with an average payout of nearly £50 monthly on memberships, clothes and equipment.
This shift in priorities for the younger generation looks set to stay. So new buildings will have to incorporate fitness facilities to attract younger residents in particular. Equally, commercial buildings may increasingly look to attract gyms or associated exercise brands as tenants.
Additionally, communities will need to take into account that, for many in Gen Z, the gym or other workout facility is their primary socialising space. And new facilities are likely to include strength training zones, areas for relaxing and socialising including cafes and smoothie bars and perhaps classes and so on. There could also be a focus on separating high-energy workout zones from quieter spaces for say yoga or mindfulness spaces such as meditation.
If you’re an architect or local authority such as a parish council or similar, and planning a new development, health and fitness features are now highly desirable amenities which should be factored in from initial planning stages.
One feature you may not have considered previously is an outdoor gym. These amenities are a cost-effective solutions, with relatively low maintenance and they offer a wide variety of workout opportunities to suit young people. From calisthenic and weight training equipment, to cardio and flexibility training. They encourage social interaction, potentially even romance. They’ll have great appeal to users of all ages, but particularly Gen Z-ers.
Outdoor gyms will be attractive to people since they’re typically free to use, cost-effective to design and install, highly accessible and, done properly, represent an excellent use of available space. So they’re a great way of building healthier, happier communities in a flexible way to suit all budgets and site sizes.
Fresh Air Fitness is the UK’s premier provider of award-winning outdoor gym equipment, and we’re keen to support landscape architects and contractors in outdoor fitness projects. Our expertise has created highly imaginative projects such as at Hartford Point, a new-build residential development in Slough, Berkshire, where we built a superb rooftop fitness facility.
Last year we wrote about how new-build developments are creating better places for residents via the Community Infrastructure Levy, previously called Section 106 funding and known as planning obligations. They’re legally binding agreements between developers and local planning authorities which allow planners to negotiate extra benefits and local community contributions from developers during the planning permission process. Park gyms are one such possible local improvement.
If you think your local area would benefit from an outdoor gym, take a closer look at what Fresh Air Fitness has to offer. We work for myriad different clients in various sectors from education to housing and others. Learn more about who we fit gyms for and check out our extensive outdoor gym equipment range.
All our products are fully compliant, of outstanding quality and have a 25-year warranty. If you’d like to learn more about how you could build for a healthy future near you, get in touch today.
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