Saturday nights have traditionally been reserved for letting loose: grabbing drinks, dancing until the early hours, and spending the next day recovering on the couch.
But there’s a new trend sweeping through the younger crowd that’s turning this old routine on its head.
These days, more and more people are swapping their cocktail dresses and party shoes for workout gear and sneakers.
A revealing survey highlights this shift among 18-35-year-olds in Britain: more than half (54%) now prefer the gym over a nightclub.
And it’s not just about disliking late nights—35% prefer to avoid them altogether, while 22% are concerned about how late nights disrupt their sleep patterns.
The nightclub scene is definitely losing its charm. Forty per cent of young adults haven’t visited a nightclub in over a year, yet 30% have hit the gym in just the past two weeks.
It seems our priorities are shifting from shots to squats, and from pints to planks.
But it’s more than just a fitness craze. This age group is also dialling back on alcohol. They’re drinking less frequently—just twice a week on average—and half of them say they drink less now than they did five years ago.
Many are even embracing teetotalism: 32% have stopped drinking altogether, 26% no longer enjoy it, and 16% note that their friends are also cutting back.
Health is becoming a bigger part of our lives. Over a third (37%) of young Brits say they’ve grown more health-conscious in the last five years, and 28% now enjoy fitness more than they used to.
Socializing is evolving too—nearly one in five now includes exercise classes in their social plans, choosing spin bikes over bar stools and pilates over pubs.
For those who miss the buzz of a nightclub but could do without the late hours and hangovers, the fitness industry has something exciting to offer.
HIIT classes with nightclub vibes are gaining traction. Imagine this: a workout space that feels like a party, with strobe lights and a playlist that keeps you moving from one exercise station to another.
It’s not just about getting fit; it’s about having fun and bonding over shared goals and sweat.
These classes also come with a tech twist. Participants wear heart rate monitors, turning personal fitness into a friendly competition—think of it as the healthy, sober version of a dance-off.
Michelle Dand, a fitness expert, captures the sentiment perfectly: “We’ve become much more health-conscious as a nation, and our social lives are reflecting that.
We wanted to create a fitness experience that’s as thrilling as a night out. It’s a way to have all the fun without any regrets the next morning.”
So, what’s it going to be this Saturday night? Maybe it’s time to trade in your usual bar crawl for a treadmill marathon. You might just find that the new way to party is by partying up a sweat.