Five ways for gym operators to harness the rise in strength training

Strength training is riding a wave of increasing popularity. The surge is driven by new research on its health benefits, the growth of high-intensity gyms like CrossFit, and a growing number of women challenging outdated stereotypes.

According to ClassPass, a subscription-based fitness app, strength training has emerged as the most sought-after exercise class over the past two years. In 2022 alone, there was a 94% increase in the number of strength training classes booked compared to the previous year.

For several years now, the WHO has recommended strength training for everyone over the age of five, between two and three times a week.

"Strength Training is surging hugely across the globe. This is driven by massive interest from Generation Z’s, Millennials, Females in the weights room, mature members and social media influencers, and the availability of scientific information. There are more people at the Squat bar than the wine bar these days! Also new to the market weight loss drugs like Ozempic are launching in America which advise strength training to support muscle retention whilst medicating.

We use a data tracking software to measure the amount of time our fitness equipment is used through attaching movement sensors to all the equipment. This has shown that between 2019 and 2023 TS members have increased the amount of time they spend on strength equipment by 10%. This is really showing in the club’s strength spaces- and so we are acting with our gym design and equipment allocation to cater for our member’s needs." - John Penny, Managing Director Third Space, London, UK

Barbells and Plates

Even though the barbell has a history dating back over 500 years, it remains a fundamental part of many training programs today. During the Italian Renaissance, the physician Hieronymus Mercurialis described its benefits in his book "De arte gymnastica of Mercuriale". Barbell training maintains its position as one of the most effective and adaptable forms of strength training for performance and health.

Barbells and weights are, therefore, among the most used equipment in many gyms. The obvious advice is to invest in high-quality barbells and weights that withstand the test of time. Eleiko bars are made of Swedish specially hardened steel and are used by the world's strongest athletes. Each barbell is inspected and straightened to ensure tight tolerance and a flawless finished product.

But the weight plates are equally important; lower-quality weight plates are imprecise and do not always fit the barbell well, leading to unnecessary wear and tear on both the weight plates, barbells, and even platforms. When the plates and sleeves lack precision in the fit, it can also contribute to added noise and vibration in a facility.

One way to stand out with your strength offering is to ensure you cater to all potential users, from the beginner to the experienced lifting enthusiast. Your selection of barbells and weight plates plays an important factor here and can include the range of weights you offer and the types of weight plates you select for your facility.

• Training Weights in Full Size: Eleiko offers full-size 450mm diameter bumpers or technique plates in 2.5kg and 5kg (5 and 10lb) options. By offering training weights in the same diameter as the originals, it is easier for beginners, older adults, and younger people to be able to use the same technique to ensure good form no matter the starting load when performing lifts such as deadlifts or weightlifting exercises that start from the floor.

• Change Plates: Small increases over time have a big impact in the long run and create less risk for injury. Increasing weights in small increments will appeal to both beginners, where too large weight increases can be too challenging, and elite athletes or exercisers who want to be able to adjust their training precisely.

• Attracting a variety of customers through various barbells: Offering, for example, a women's barbell for weightlifting, a powerlifting barbell, a technique barbell, a hybrid barbell, and our Open Deadlift Bar will attract a broad customer base, from elite lifters to beginners.

Racks

Rack solutions should be customizable, modular, durable over time, and precise. Gym members appreciate being able to choose barbell and attachment settings that suit their exact height and type of training. Gym owners can appreciate offering many training options in a compact space.

Eleiko’s Prestera Rack System is made from the lifters perspective, from the upright geometry rooted in professional lifting to the finer details such as the tactile interaction points and performance-enhancing elements such as gliding attachments, rubber rollers and stainless-steel uprights with precision height adjustments — raising the bar for the user experience.

Training Area

How you build and design your gym determines what type of customers you attract and how well you utilize your space. At Eleiko, we have experience ranging from home gyms to large elite training facilities. We can therefore help you design your facility to suit your target audience and the space you have available.

Considering how to cater for different types of lifters, learn more in our guide Iron Tribes, how to cater for different types of gym customers.

Build a community

Exercise equipment combined with appealing gym design can strengthen the sense of community at a gym and encourage members to train more often and remain members. At Virgin Active in the UK, they have taken this a step further with the Virgin Active Lift Club.

"We wanted to introduce Lift Club as a class that would give new and inexperienced members the confidence to start lifting weights or challenge more advanced lifters to lift heavier weights. Additionally, we wanted to create a sense of community among the members. The class is therefore designed to be accessible to both beginners and more advanced practitioners." - David McDermott, responsible for strength training at Virgin Active in the UK.

Read more about Virgin Active Lift Club and the equipment they use here.

Other ways to build on community involvement include educating gym members about new equipment. Use events, social media, newsletters, and signs in the facility to inspire them to try it out. Simple explanations can clarify differences, like between a powerlifting bar and a weightlifting bar.

Lifting Platforms

Lifting platforms should be firm but not too hard; they should absorb shocks from dropped barbells and be adapted to the most frequent training that will be performed. Eleiko offers a wide range of platforms, from competition platforms in high-quality oak to the sound absorbing SVR platform designed for gyms that need to dampen the sound level in their premises. The Eleiko SVR platform was released in 2017 and has served leading training facilities all over the world. The product has seen several improvements over the years and is proven by studies to reducing noise by an average of 25,7 decibels compared to baseline.

Choose lifting platforms that attracts the right target group and suits your space. To attract a wide target group, create space and choose different platforms that suits different styles of training.