2024 Workout Statistics: What the Numbers Really Mean for Our Health and Fitness Goals

The health and fitness landscape is always changing, and it’s no secret that with each passing year, new statistics come to light that reflect the shifting attitudes, priorities, and habits of everyday people. In 2024, PureGym’s findings give us a fresh look at how we think about our own wellbeing and what we want out of our workouts. So let’s look at the data and break down what these numbers can teach us about our collective fitness journey.

According to the survey, a solid 76% of people say they aspire to be fit and healthy. This suggests that the majority of us have genuine desires to improve our overall wellbeing. Yet there’s a subtle, and perhaps key, difference between aspiration and action. These numbers remind us that while we may dream of being healthier, the reality of getting up early for a run, choosing a balanced meal over fast food, and making time to stretch can be a real challenge.

It’s easy to want something badly but struggle to make consistent progress. This gap might mean we need more support, better guidance, or more realistic step-by-step plans. It could also be a reminder to reframe our goals in ways that are both motivating and attainable. Instead of simply saying “I want to be healthy,” focusing on a specific, measurable target (like being able to run a 5k or consistently doing three workout sessions a week) might help bridge the gap between intention and outcome.

While 65% of people feel they don’t look after their health as much as they should, that figure has improved slightly (by 1%) since last year. Similarly, 22% of people don’t consider themselves healthy at all, though that too is a 1% improvement from last year.

These small improvements, while modest, are still worth celebrating. They show that progress is possible, even in small increments. When we’re dealing with large populations, a single percentage point can represent thousands or even millions of individuals who have made a change.

What’s also telling is the age and gender breakdown: 27% of those aged 45-to-54 don’t consider themselves healthy - more than any other age group. Women are more likely to see themselves as unhealthy (24%) than men (20%). This might suggest that as we age, external factors - more demanding jobs, family responsibilities, lingering aches and pains - take a toll on our perceptions of what good health looks like. For women, the greater sense of feeling unhealthy could be tied to societal pressures, hormonal differences, or imbalances in the time available for self-care, as women often shoulder a large share of caregiving roles. Understanding these nuances can help us tailor wellness programs and outreach in more targeted and supportive ways.

The data also highlights that 34% of people want to improve their mental health. This is a strong indicator that we’re collectively moving beyond the idea that health is purely physical. Mental wellbeing is increasingly viewed as just as important, if not more so, than body composition or athletic performance. This shift reflects a more holistic understanding of health: being “fit” isn’t just about how fast you can run or how heavy you can lift; it’s also about maintaining a balanced mood, good stress management techniques, and overall emotional resilience.

As more people prioritize mental health, the fitness world is responding. We’re seeing more gyms and studios offering mindfulness sessions, yoga classes for stress relief, and programs that blend exercise with therapy-like approaches, such as group fitness classes with strong community support. The lesson here is that successful wellness strategies in 2024 and beyond must address both mind and body. Fitness professionals, employers, and policymakers have an opportunity to support people in these areas, whether through guided meditation apps, workplace wellness programs, or flexible gym memberships that encourage mental health support alongside physical training.

Cardiovascular fitness remains a top priority, with 34% of people aiming to improve their heart health and endurance. This makes sense in the context of our busy, often sedentary lives. Many jobs involve sitting at a desk, and screen time, both personal and professional, has never been higher. As a result, the desire to get our heart rates up, improve our stamina, and ensure our cardiovascular system is strong and resilient is becoming even more pressing. Good cardiovascular health ties directly into longevity, reduced risk of disease, and improved daily function.

Closely following cardio, 33% of people want to get stronger. Strength isn’t just about bulging biceps; it’s about functional fitness - being able to carry groceries, pick up your kids, handle home DIY tasks, and generally feel confident and capable in your day-to-day life. With a growing appreciation for functional strength training (like using free weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises) comes the recognition that strength helps protect our joints, bones, and overall vitality as we age.

While mental health, cardio, and strength are often the headline acts of our fitness goals, there’s a quiet yet growing recognition of the importance of flexibility and mobility. According to the data, 32% of people want to improve their flexibility and range of motion, while 30% want to enhance their mobility and ability to move freely.

Why does this matter? Flexibility isn’t just about touching your toes or performing advanced yoga poses - it’s also about preventing injuries, reducing pain, and maintaining independence as we grow older. Similarly, mobility improvements help us move more comfortably through daily tasks. Whether it’s bending down to tie our shoes, climbing stairs without knee pain, or sitting comfortably at a desk, good mobility can be the difference between living life fully and feeling limited by aches and stiffness.

These findings suggest that people are becoming more nuanced in their understanding of fitness. It’s not only about looking good in a swimsuit or hitting a new personal best in the gym. It’s also about ensuring our bodies can handle the demands of everyday life with ease, comfort, and longevity.

With 76% aspiring to be healthy, we need practical strategies to help turn dreams into consistent habits. Consider starting small: a 10-minute walk each morning or swapping out one unhealthy snack for a piece of fruit. Over time, these small actions can sum up to meaningful change.

Since perceptions of health vary by age and gender, health initiatives should be diverse in their approach. Maybe provide targeted programs for midlife adults that focus on manageable exercise, stress reduction, and flexibility. For women, offering safe, inclusive fitness spaces with supportive communities can help bridge the gap and improve self-perception.

Remember that one in three of us wants better mental health. Integrating mindfulness, stress management techniques, and social support into fitness programs can help individuals feel healthier in both mind and body.

Keep a balanced approach. Aim to include at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, as recommended by many health organizations, and incorporate strength training exercises twice a week to maintain muscle mass, bone density, and daily functional strength

Incorporate short, regular stretching sessions, yoga, or Pilates into your routine. Even 10 minutes a day focusing on range of motion can pay off in terms of reduced pain, fewer injuries, and better overall quality of life.

PureGym’s 2024 data highlights a pretty comprehensive understanding of health and fitness that goes beyond simple measures like weight or body fat percentage. It highlights a shift toward a holistic model: one where mental health, functional strength, cardiovascular capacity, and mobility are all pieces of the puzzle. This evolution challenges us to think differently about what it means to be “fit and healthy.”

So, as we move forward into 2025, we can use these statistics as a guide. They remind us that everyone’s health journey is unique, influenced by their age, gender, daily challenges, and personal motivations. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, let’s celebrate the diversity of goals and needs. Doing so not only makes fitness more accessible and inclusive, but it also sets the stage for better outcomes, both now and for many years to come.

In the end, these figures are more than just numbers: they’re insights into what people want, where they struggle, and how we can help each other navigate our way toward healthier, happier lives.