The Great American Fitness Boom
10 days ago
- #fitness-trends
- #exercise-boom
- #health-wave
- Americans are experiencing a historic health wave with declines in premature deaths from murder, overdoses, car crashes, and obesity.
- Exercise is highlighted as a key health intervention, combating inflammation, visceral fat, and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Fitness activities are surging, with record-high levels of participation, especially among older women and in low-impact activities like yoga and Pilates.
- Rich and young Americans exercise the most, but fitness increases are seen across all income and age groups.
- Young people and older women are leading the fitness wave, with significant increases in weekly workout times.
- Prime-age Americans are more likely to exercise than in 2003, but their total exercise time hasn't increased, possibly due to more at-home workouts.
- The fitness boom is also observed internationally, with similar trends in the UK among older adults.
- Pilates, yoga, and barre are the fastest-growing fitness activities, while group cycling and CrossFit have declined.
- The fitness boom is attributed to post-pandemic wellness trends, long-term affluence, better health among older adults, and young people prioritizing fitness over social connections.
- Gyms are becoming social hubs, filling the void left by declining traditional social venues like bars and churches.
- Exercise provides psychological benefits, including a sense of control and reduced anxiety, which may explain its increasing popularity.