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Gone are the days when going to the gym meant plugging in your headphones and avoiding eye contact. In 2026, fitness in the UK has become a thoroughly social affair — and it’s changing the way we think about exercise, motivation, and even friendship.
From the explosion of run clubs on city streets to packed-out Hyrox races in arenas across the country, more Britons than ever are choosing to sweat it out together. And the numbers back it up: research from Nuffield Health found that one in four adults in the UK now belongs to a fitness community, whether that’s a running club, a CrossFit box, or a gym-based training group.
So what’s driving this shift — and how can you get involved?
The Numbers Behind the Movement
The growth of social fitness isn’t just anecdotal. According to a recent survey by The Gym Group, 44% of Gen Z rank fitness as their first or second spending priority, with average monthly fitness spend up 17% year-on-year to £48.81. But they’re not just spending more — they’re spending it differently.
A striking 37% of Gen Z now view exercise as their primary way to socialise, with many choosing a group workout over a night at the pub. Among people who belong to a fitness community, 52% report an improved social life and 46% experience reduced feelings of loneliness.
It’s not just younger gym-goers feeling the benefits either. One in four men now say their fitness community acts as their main social outlet — a statistic that speaks volumes about the role exercise is playing in tackling isolation.
Run Clubs: The New Social Scene
Perhaps the most visible sign of the social fitness boom is the rise of run clubs. New clubs nearly quadrupled during 2025, and 58% of members say they’ve made new friends through their group.
The appeal is obvious: run clubs are free, require no equipment beyond a pair of trainers, and offer an instant sense of belonging. For many, they’ve replaced the traditional after-work drink as a way to unwind and connect.
Whether you’re a complete beginner looking for a Couch to 5K group or an experienced runner after some company on long Sunday runs, there’s likely a club near you. Many gyms now organise their own run clubs too, blurring the line between indoor and outdoor fitness communities.
Hyrox: From Niche Race to Mainstream Obsession
If run clubs are the gentle entry point to social fitness, Hyrox is the high-octane alternative. The hybrid fitness race — which combines running with functional workout stations — has seen explosive growth, jumping from just 600 athletes at its launch in 2018 to over 175,000 participants globally.
The UK has been at the heart of this boom, with around 60,000 athletes and more than 350 affiliated gyms. The 2026–27 UK season kicks off in Birmingham in October, followed by London in December, with Manchester, Glasgow, and Cardiff on the calendar for 2027.
What makes Hyrox particularly social is the way people train for it. Dedicated Hyrox classes and training groups have sprung up in gyms across the country, giving people a shared goal and a ready-made community. It’s the kind of structured, event-focused training that keeps people coming back week after week.
Why Group Fitness Works
The science backs up what many gym-goers already know instinctively: working out with others makes you more consistent. Research highlighted by Les Mills shows that gym members who attend group classes stay 1.8 times longer than those who train solo. Group classes also deliver 20% higher member retention for gyms.
The reasons are straightforward. A group setting creates accountability — you’re less likely to skip a session when others are expecting you. There’s also the motivational boost of collective energy; people tend to push harder when surrounded by others doing the same.
And it doesn’t have to mean high-intensity classes. The community element extends to yoga groups, walking clubs, swimming squads, and everything in between. The common thread is simply doing it alongside other people.
How to Find Your Fitness Community
If you’ve been training solo and fancy a change, 2026 is the perfect time to explore social fitness. Here are a few ways to get started:
Try a group class at your gym. Most gyms offer a range of classes from spinning to strength circuits. If you’re not sure which gym near you has the best class timetable, you can search and compare gyms on Gymist to find one that matches your interests.
Find a workout buddy. Training with a friend — or finding someone new to train with — can make all the difference. Gymist’s Buddies feature lets you connect with people in your area who share your training style and goals.
Join a local run club or fitness group. Check social media, community boards, or your local parkrun for groups that meet regularly. You can also browse fitness groups on Gymist to find communities near you.
Sign up for an event. Whether it’s a local 10K, a Tough Mudder, or a Hyrox race, having a shared goal with others is one of the most powerful motivators going. Many gyms run training programmes specifically designed to prepare you for events like these.
The Bottom Line
The rise of social fitness isn’t just a passing trend — it reflects a genuine shift in how people in the UK relate to exercise. Fitness is no longer purely about physical results; it’s become a way to build friendships, find community, and support mental wellbeing.
Whether you join a run club, sign up for a Hyrox class, or simply convince a mate to come to the gym with you, the message is clear: working out together beats working out alone.
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