Gen z 'Discovers' lifting weights. The rest of us are unimpressed.

About damn time. That’s my take.

Oh, look. The BBC just broke some earth-shattering news - young people are figuring out that mindlessly jogging on a treadmill isn't the only way to get fit. According to a recent article, Gen Z is swapping cardio for strength training. Groundbreaking. It only took you all a few decades to catch up to what actual coaches have been screaming from the rooftops. Welcome to the party, I guess. 🙄

I’m thrilled you've finally decided to step off the hamster wheel. But let's not get carried away and call this a revolution. The article cites data from Sport England showing that over nine years, participation in "weights sessions" among 16-34 year olds climbed from 7.2% to 8.5%. A whopping 1.3 percentage point increase. Meanwhile, using "exercise machines" went up by 2 points. Let's not break out the confetti just yet. The cardio-to-weights pipeline is more of a slow drip than a fire hose.

The good, the bad, and the influencer

Now, don't get me wrong, it's a step in the right direction. Manchester-based trainer Antonia Duffin is quoted saying her clients want to "feel stronger" and are realizing the importance of strength training for preventing things like osteoporosis. This is the good part. You're finally starting to think about building a resilient body for the long haul, not just burning calories from last night's pizza. Dr. Andrew Scott also rightly points out that resistance training can "improve body composition and shape more quickly than aerobic exercise." No kidding. It's almost like lifting heavy things is an efficient way to build muscle and look better. Who knew?

But here’s where it gets messy. Dr. Scott also notes that, "Lots of people are largely learning from influencers." Let me translate that for you - you’re watching some 'fitfluencer' do a sloppy, high-rep, low-impact workout on social media and thinking it's a substitute for a real, structured program. It’s not.

Copying a workout you saw online is not training. It's just exercising. Training has a purpose, a structure, and a progression. It requires you to track your lifts, focus on your form, and push yourself systematically. You know, the kind of thing you can plan in the Program tab and log in the Workout tab right here in this app. Funny how that works.

So, what now?

It’s great that you’re picking up a dumbbell. Seriously, I'm proud of you. But the trend is just the start. The real work begins when you swap random, influencer-led workouts for a deliberate, progressive plan designed for your goals. Stop chasing trends and start building strength with intent. 💪

So, I have to ask - are you going to keep messing around, or are you finally ready to get serious about your training?