Why Gen Z are losing the fitness battle every winter

The clocks go back on 25 October and, if previous years are anything to go by, that’s the moment a large portion of us collectively decide the gym can wait until spring. New research suggests we’re not imagining it — winter genuinely is the biggest barrier to staying active, and Gen Z are feeling it more than most.

A survey of 1,000 people across Ireland, commissioned by BD Gyms, found that 57% say winter weather makes it harder to exercise, while 47% struggle specifically with darker mornings and evenings. Among non-gym members, those figures climb even higher — 64% say bad weather is a barrier and 55% blame the darker days for throwing their routine off.

Gen Z are working out — but winter hits them hardest

Here’s where it gets interesting. The data paints a more nuanced picture of how younger adults actually engage with fitness. Forty per cent of people who exercise four to five times a week are aged 18 to 24, which suggests Gen Z aren’t the couch-bound generation they’re sometimes made out to be. But they’re also the group most likely to fall off the wagon once the temperature drops — 49% of those who say winter weather affects their exercise habits fall into that same 18-to-24 bracket.

Cost is a significant factor too. Half of those who cite gym membership costs as a barrier are aged 18 to 24, and among non-members generally, 41% say the cost of membership has delayed or prevented them from joining. A further 37% of lapsed members say joining fees have stopped them going back. It’s not laziness. It’s complicated.

Why your mood actually depends on it

If you need convincing that dragging yourself out in the dark is worth it, the research has a fairly compelling answer. Among gym members, 61% say they personally notice an improved mood after exercising. A further 59% notice increased strength and mobility, 49% report higher energy levels and 24% find their concentration improves. Twenty-two per cent even feel a greater sense of social connection after a session — which, in the depths of a grey Irish January, is not nothing.

Sandra Keegan, Club Manager at BD Gyms Portlaoise, puts it simply: “Exercise can have a positive impact on how we feel day to day, particularly at a time of year when darker mornings and evenings can affect our energy and motivation.”

She’s also quick to push back on the all-or-nothing thinking that tends to derail people before they even start. “It doesn’t have to be that way. Starting small, whether that’s fitting in a short workout or finding an activity you enjoy, can be a great way to build confidence and make movement part of your week.”

Structure is doing more heavy lifting than you’d think

The research found that for those who do manage to stay consistent through winter, routine is a major factor. More than half of gym members (54%) say having a regular structure helps them stay active during the colder months, while 45% say access to an indoor space makes a real difference.

Steve O’Reilly, Head of Operations at BD Gyms, acknowledges that the barriers aren’t simple. “Cost, convenience, the time of year and how comfortable people feel in a gym can all play a role,” he says. “Making fitness accessible means looking at more than just the facilities.”

BD Gyms memberships start from €36 per month with no joining fee, and the chain currently has five locations across Ireland. Worth knowing if cost has been the thing quietly talking you out of it.