Strava, the app for active people with over 180 million users across more than 185 countries, has released its 12th annual Year In Sport: Trend Report. This reveals a shift in how younger generations are choosing to connect. According to Strava, they are logging off and lacing up.
The report, based on billions of activities and survey insights from more than 30,000 people, identifies a clear trend; that Gen Z is turning away from passive scrolling toward active, real–world experiences.
Gen Z Re-writing the rules
In 2025, Strava notes that Gen Z prioritised movement: running, racing at all distances, finding connection at run clubs, and lifting weights for both looks and wellbeing.
Michael Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Strava, said “As the fastest growing demographic on Strava, we know that Gen Z is looking for real experiences, not more time staring at screens.
“This generation is rewriting the rules, and we’re committed to building the platform that keeps people connected and moving together for generations to come.”
The report highlights Gen Z’s changing priorities:
- More than half of Gen Z plans to use Strava more in 2026, while most say they will use Instagram and TikTok the same amount or less.
- Gen Z is 75% more likely than Gen X to say their main motivation for exercise is a race or event.
- 64% of Gen Z said they would rather spend money on gear than a date.
- For every two minutes a subscriber spends on Strava, they spend 1 hour outside being active.
Running, strength, and variety trends
Running remains the top sport on Strava, but walking claimed the second spot as the most–recorded activity type.
- Weight Training: Gen Z is 2x more likely than Gen X to say weight training is their primary sport, with 61% more citing aesthetics as a goal. Women were also 21% more likely than men to record weight training on Strava in 2025.
- Variety: More than half of Strava users (54%) now track multiple activities. However, twice as many Gen Z as Gen X say picking up a new sport can be intimidating.
- Beginners: Runna data showed that most users rate themselves as beginner (26%) or intermediate (34%), with 86% of Runna–connected runners achieving a personal best this year.
Investment and community
Despite 65% of Gen Z reporting being directly affected by inflation, they are still doubling down on fitness spending:
- 30% of Gen Z plan to spend more on fitness in 2026.
- 63% more Gen Z than Gen X cited wearables as their most significant fitness investment in 2025.
- New Clubs on Strava nearly quadrupled in 2025, reaching one million total clubs. Hiking clubs grew the fastest (5.8x), followed by running clubs (3.5x).
- Active Travel: 23% more Gen Z than Gen X say fitness on vacation is non–negotiable. Survey respondents were 22% more likely to holiday domestically than internationally in 2025.
Gear, AI, and leaderboards
Technology continues to play a major role in sport, with Strava’s community–powered Routes feature proving popular, as a new route was created every 19 seconds throughout the year.
- AI for Coaching: 46% of survey respondents would use AI as a smart coach for sports, with Gen Z embracing AI for coaching at a higher level.
- Top Gear: The ASICS Novablast broke the tape as the top running shoe, followed by the Nike Pegasus at number two and HOKA Clifton at number three. The Apple Watch was the number one device in the watch category.
- Rest Day: Friday emerged as the least popular day to log a workout on Strava, making it a popular day for recovery, rest, or activities such as stretching and walking.
Globally, Copenhagen claimed the title of fastest metro area (8:52 min/mile running pace).
For the UK, the regional perspective showed:
- Steps: Cumbria took the crown for the regions with the highest median individual daily step count (5,663).
- Social: The most social region was Milton Keynes, where runners recorded the highest percentage (16.7%) of runs paired or in groups.
- London Pace: London’s fastest min/km running pace was recorded in Hammersmith and Fulham (05:32).
