Women In Strength: A Trend to Embrace
The fitness industry is undergoing a transformative shift as more women embrace strength training. This trend is poised to dominate the fitness landscape throughout 2025 and beyond. Women are now debunking long-standing myths about strength training and their bodies; the days of fearing that lifting heavy weights would lead to bulkiness are over. For facility owners, this presents a unique opportunity to attract and retain a growing demographic of fitness enthusiasts. With the rise of social media and the influence of Gen-Z, women are increasingly turning to strength training to achieve their fitness goals, including increased longevity, physical and mental health benefits, and breaking societal norms around the female physique. Facility owners, like you, can leverage specialized programs and an inclusive environment to capitalize on this trend and achieve sustained business growth.
According to an article on Stylist, TikTok has become the next fitness social media platform, particularly for Gen Z strength goals. Women are embracing the goal of getting strong like never before, and the hashtag #femalebodybuilders has racked up over 6.2 million views on the platform.
A key driver of this trend is the growing recognition of women's athletics. Professional women's sports leagues like the WNBA and NWSL are positioning themselves as leading partners in the fitness space. This presents you with a unique opportunity to align with influential organizations and attract a dedicated audience. Increased viewership of women’s sports and pioneering all-female sports arenas are bolstering this movement, creating a surge in demand for specialized training programs.
Women have been training like athletes for years, but their efforts are only now being widely acknowledged and adapted. Health clubs and performance training centers are witnessing a surge in women training like athletes, regardless of their professional status. This shift is driving the popularity of plate loaded equipment to an all-time high, reflecting a change in the perception of female body types, with a focus on building muscle. Women are embracing strength training alongside brands that promote athletic women in their imagery. Facility owners who embrace this trend can capitalize on the growing demand and create an inclusive environment that offers specialized training programs to support and empower women in their fitness journeys.
According to an article on Health & Fitness Association, the interest in strength training is growing, attracting more fans among women, seniors, and other exercisers. Equipment manufacturers are responding by supplying new, improved, and more sophisticated strength-training options, including plate loaded machines.
The collegiate Transfer Portal has reshaped college athletics in both male and female student-athletes by increasing the frequency of student-athletes transferring between programs, often disrupting their long-term strength progression and development. This has created a need for faster physical conditioning, prompting many colleges and universities to invest in plate-loaded machines that allow female athletes to build strength efficiently while minimizing injury risks. These machines are particularly effective for accommodating the demands of athletes transitioning into new programs, where immediate performance is crucial. Additionally, this trend aligns with broader fitness preferences on campuses, as institutions increasingly prioritize versatile equipment that serves both student-athletes and the general student body. As a result, collegiate training facilities are evolving to meet the challenges posed by modern fitness demands.
Recent data shows that the number of female student-athletes competing in NCAA women's championship sports has increased significantly, with a 5% rise from 2020-21 to 2021-22
Student recreation centers are adapting to this trend by transforming their spaces to resemble athletic facilities. With more females attending college than males, these centers are equipped with the latest strength training equipment to meet the growing demand. The visibility of strong women in high-level sports and their engagement on social media is inspiring young girls to believe in their own strength and capabilities, driving sustained growth in the fitness industry. Tapping into the growing popularity of women in sports by including could be beneficial to facilities looking to capitalize on this trend.
An article on Beyond Sport News states that female athletes are highly influential in young girls taking up sports. According to a study, 66% of girls attribute their inclination towards sport to the positive influence of female athletes, and 72% expressed a fondness for playing sports.
Research is being conducted to understand the differences between male and female strength training, including injury prevalence and biomechanics. Researchers recognize that there are notable differences in the needs of men and women, including sleep and nutrition, which has sparked the question, "Should women train the same way as men?" This research is helping to tailor training programs to meet the specific needs of women. The trend of women having more specificity in their training is becoming increasingly evident.
According to Ladies Who Lift and The Health and Fitness Institute, women are no longer confined to one spot in the gym; they move around and use a variety of training methods to achieve their goals, including cable machines, free weights and plate loaded equipment.
As you can see, the growing trend of Women in Strength is reshaping the fitness industry in 2025. This shift is not only empowering women but also creating significant opportunities for facility owners. As more women focus on strength training, gyms and fitness centers can capitalize on this positive momentum by offering specialized programs and equipment tailored to women's needs. This strategic adjustment could lead to increases in membership and retention, facility ambassador partnerships and brand awareness. Brands are already supporting this movement by showcasing athletic women in their campaigns, and facility owners can further enhance their appeal by fostering an inclusive and empowering environment. With ongoing education and research, women will continue to show interest in strength training, inspiring future generations and driving sustained growth in the industry.
Learn more about our latest strength innovations.
According to an article on Stylist, TikTok has become the next fitness social media platform, particularly for Gen Z strength goals. Women are embracing the goal of getting strong like never before, and the hashtag #femalebodybuilders has racked up over 6.2 million views on the platform.
A key driver of this trend is the growing recognition of women's athletics. Professional women's sports leagues like the WNBA and NWSL are positioning themselves as leading partners in the fitness space. This presents you with a unique opportunity to align with influential organizations and attract a dedicated audience. Increased viewership of women’s sports and pioneering all-female sports arenas are bolstering this movement, creating a surge in demand for specialized training programs.
Women have been training like athletes for years, but their efforts are only now being widely acknowledged and adapted. Health clubs and performance training centers are witnessing a surge in women training like athletes, regardless of their professional status. This shift is driving the popularity of plate loaded equipment to an all-time high, reflecting a change in the perception of female body types, with a focus on building muscle. Women are embracing strength training alongside brands that promote athletic women in their imagery. Facility owners who embrace this trend can capitalize on the growing demand and create an inclusive environment that offers specialized training programs to support and empower women in their fitness journeys.
According to an article on Health & Fitness Association, the interest in strength training is growing, attracting more fans among women, seniors, and other exercisers. Equipment manufacturers are responding by supplying new, improved, and more sophisticated strength-training options, including plate loaded machines.
The collegiate Transfer Portal has reshaped college athletics in both male and female student-athletes by increasing the frequency of student-athletes transferring between programs, often disrupting their long-term strength progression and development. This has created a need for faster physical conditioning, prompting many colleges and universities to invest in plate-loaded machines that allow female athletes to build strength efficiently while minimizing injury risks. These machines are particularly effective for accommodating the demands of athletes transitioning into new programs, where immediate performance is crucial. Additionally, this trend aligns with broader fitness preferences on campuses, as institutions increasingly prioritize versatile equipment that serves both student-athletes and the general student body. As a result, collegiate training facilities are evolving to meet the challenges posed by modern fitness demands.
Recent data shows that the number of female student-athletes competing in NCAA women's championship sports has increased significantly, with a 5% rise from 2020-21 to 2021-22
Student recreation centers are adapting to this trend by transforming their spaces to resemble athletic facilities. With more females attending college than males, these centers are equipped with the latest strength training equipment to meet the growing demand. The visibility of strong women in high-level sports and their engagement on social media is inspiring young girls to believe in their own strength and capabilities, driving sustained growth in the fitness industry. Tapping into the growing popularity of women in sports by including could be beneficial to facilities looking to capitalize on this trend.
An article on Beyond Sport News states that female athletes are highly influential in young girls taking up sports. According to a study, 66% of girls attribute their inclination towards sport to the positive influence of female athletes, and 72% expressed a fondness for playing sports.
Research is being conducted to understand the differences between male and female strength training, including injury prevalence and biomechanics. Researchers recognize that there are notable differences in the needs of men and women, including sleep and nutrition, which has sparked the question, "Should women train the same way as men?" This research is helping to tailor training programs to meet the specific needs of women. The trend of women having more specificity in their training is becoming increasingly evident.
According to Ladies Who Lift and The Health and Fitness Institute, women are no longer confined to one spot in the gym; they move around and use a variety of training methods to achieve their goals, including cable machines, free weights and plate loaded equipment.
As you can see, the growing trend of Women in Strength is reshaping the fitness industry in 2025. This shift is not only empowering women but also creating significant opportunities for facility owners. As more women focus on strength training, gyms and fitness centers can capitalize on this positive momentum by offering specialized programs and equipment tailored to women's needs. This strategic adjustment could lead to increases in membership and retention, facility ambassador partnerships and brand awareness. Brands are already supporting this movement by showcasing athletic women in their campaigns, and facility owners can further enhance their appeal by fostering an inclusive and empowering environment. With ongoing education and research, women will continue to show interest in strength training, inspiring future generations and driving sustained growth in the industry.
Learn more about our latest strength innovations.