Generation Z is increasingly prioritising fitness over favourable weather when choosing holiday destinations, according to new research. A third of young adults now plan their getaways with exercise goals in mind, and one in ten admit that access to a gym is more important to them than good weather.
Fitness-Focused Travel on the Rise
A survey of 2,000 adults aged 18 to 29, commissioned by The Gym Group, found that 30% 'always' or 'often' arrange their trips around physical activity, while 74% have done so at some point. Nearly half (47%) agreed that fitness plans have influenced their holiday choices more than five years ago.
Swimming (46%), walking long distances (38%), and gym workouts (25%) are the most common activities undertaken to stay active while travelling. The study also revealed that 44% believe running a 10k or more is the best way to explore a new location.
Packing Priorities Shift
More than four in ten (45%) have prioritised suitcase space to accommodate running shoes, sports kit, and exercise accessories. When booking accommodation, 34% filter options to ensure a gym is available, and 57% are willing to pay more for onsite or nearby exercise facilities. Among those taking staycations within the UK, 31% check whether their local gym membership can be used nearby.
Jenni Tardiff, master trainer at The Gym Group, commented: “It’s clear there is a shift in how younger generations combine fitness and travel. Holidays are no longer about rest, relaxation or over-indulgence – they’re an opportunity to stay active, set new goals and experience something different.”
Reasons for Staying Active
The main motivations for seeking workout opportunities while away include mental wellbeing (33%), feeling refreshed and energised (21%), and maintaining routine (19%). Fitness-focused trips often centre around events such as HYROX (12%), a race (16%), or a retreat (20%). On average, Gen Z spends £335 per year on exercise-oriented holidays.
Many also incorporate other experiences into their trips, such as sightseeing (37%), culture (29%), and achieving personal bests (27%). Tardiff added: “What’s really interesting is that fitness-led travel isn’t about extreme training or missing out on the fun. For many young people, it’s about feeling good, staying grounded in familiar routines and using movement as a way to get more out of their time away.”
