Gym culture shifts toward strength training and social fitness in the UK

When Antonia Duffin, 34, started going to the gym, she wanted to lose weight and tone up.

It became such a big part of her life that she decided to become a personal trainer alongside her day job in operations for a supermarket chain - and now runs her own women's gym in Manchester.

"Some of my clients want to feel stronger, some want to get in shape for a baby and some are struggling with other conditions like endometriosis and want to feel better," she says.

Hybrid training, like Hyrox, which is sociable and competitive, seems to have taken over from running on a treadmill or general cardio on a bike, she explains.

Antonia also notes an appetite for more strength training workouts among younger clients, adding: "I think people are now realising the importance of it - we're preventing osteoporosis and things like that."

Do numbers bear that out? And how are workouts across the UK changing?

According to Sport England, more young adults are going to the gym, using exercise machines and weights to keep fit compared to nine years ago.

"Gyms offer broader types of exercise, like resistance training, which can improve body composition and shape more quickly than aerobic exercise training," explains exercise expert Dr Andrew Scott, from the University of Portsmouth.

He says social media is having an impact too. "Lots of people are largely learning from influencers, suggesting 'I can do it, this is what I did and so can you'."

Student Will Seward, 19, started going to the gym when he was at secondary school because he wanted to "get stronger and build up his physique".

His workouts - usually three a week - have changed over time, from using running machines and exercise bikes initially to more explosive training using weights, to help build athleticism.

"It's had a real impact on my day to day life," he says, "improving my mood and making me feel generally healthier."

Barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells and cable machines are all part of the strength training Antonia offers in her gym space, located in a shipping container.

Recent research suggests doing the recommended two hours of strength training each week may offer many of the same benefits as regular aerobic exercise, such as lowering the risk of dying from heart disease or stroke while also protecting the brain and boosting self-esteem.

These benefits are not the only appeal of exercise though. Many say they feel a sense of connection when exercising with other people.

Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, a GP, personal trainer and triathlete, says there is now "an enormous ecosystem" for those who are already active, featuring gyms, running clubs, fitness apps, social media and wearable tech.

How different age groups meet overall exercise targets varies.

Among nearly 2 million participants in Our Future Health - a health and lifestyle questionnaire - younger age groups were more likely to do shorter bursts of vigorous activity every week like fitness classes, aerobics or football.

At the gym, she spends 10 minutes on a stair-climbing machine then 35 minutes using weights and machines to strengthen the thighs, hips and lower back.

Before, her routine was all about cardio - but she didn't feel she was getting better or stronger. Now, she says, it's really nice being able to hit targets and lift heavier weights. "I want to go into my 30s being strong."

"And it's also weirdly more sociable," she says.

Persuading people to exercise is about making it the easy, social and enjoyable thing to do, even if it costs, says Dr Al-Zubaidi.

"I think that's why activities like the gym, running clubs and padel have been successful - not because they prevent disease but because they are fun and sociable."