Despite diligent behavior with their spending, surprisingly many millennials are not hesitant to take out their credit cards for gym memberships. 

According to FranchiseHelp, one out of every five Americans is heading to the gym or at least paying for a membership. A survey on Statista.com indicated that in 2015, a total of more than 186,000 fitness and health clubs were in operation worldwide, of which about 36,000 are located in the United States. The question of why millennials go to the gym can be answered by three diverse sources: a fitness trainer, a college student and a doctor.

Fitness trainer Ashton Forbeck said millennials go to the gym in an effort to overcome their insecurities. He said social media plays a big role in exposing these insecurities in millennials.

“A couple years ago you didn't need to worry about the whole world seeing you on social media,” Forbeck said. He added that a lot of people now have a problem with feeling secure and exercise helps them overcome those insecurities.

Ava Franklin, a Shippensburg college student and track team member, attributed the spike in gym memberships to physical appearance and mental health. Similar to the social media pressure mentioned by Forbeck, Franklin said that society sometimes places an unhealthy beauty standard on young girls who exercise to meet those expectations. She also said that for her and her fellow track teammates, exercising at the gym is a great way to improve and maintain their mental health.

Dr. Anthony Patterson named several factors that he believed contributed to the millennial attraction to the gym.

“I think there are multiple parts to the answer,” he said. He mentioned how millennials today have a great awareness when it comes to their health. He also said teens are always looking for fun and new ways to exercise socially.

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