The future of strength training is female.
New flex. Once dominated by men, Crunch Fitness CEO Jim Rowley told Bloomberg women now account for 50%+ of lifting platform usage.
Meanwhile, Planet Fitness is removing >40% of cardio machines across 1.7K locations to meet growing demand for weights and functional training.
Validated. Between 2011 and 2021, women’s use of free weights increased by 150%, while resistance machine use jumped 558%, per Harrison Co. On Strava, strength training uploads climbed 25% in 2024, making it the fastest-growing sport among women.
Longevity lift. More than aesthetics, resistance training is essential for aging well, boosting bone density, preserving muscle, and improving metabolic health. A call to arms, experts like Dr. Stacy Sims and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon are pushing strength as a cornerstone of women’s healthspan.
Stronger together. Still, 73% of US women—and 83% of women 65+—don’t meet CDC strength guidelines, creating a major opportunity for services, coaching, and products tailored to female lifters.
Punchline: Strength is the new cardio, and women are leading the charge — transforming gyms, supplements, and the future of healthy aging.
