Strength training is not having a moment - it’s maintaining one.

For more than a decade, strength training has sat at the centre of how people train across every type of gym. What makes the move into 2026 significant is not a sudden surge in interest, but the durability and expansion of strength training as a dominant training modality.

According to the ACSM Worldwide Fitness Trends, strength training has ranked in the top five global fitness trends for over ten consecutive years, a level of consistency unmatched by most other training types. At the same time, global investment patterns tell the same story. Global strength training equipment sales jumped 181% between 2012 and 2022, according to data from the Fitness Industry Supplier Association cited by investment banking firm Harrison Co. in a recent report

For any gym operator today, the direction of travel is clear: strength is here to stay. So, how do you take advantage of it?

Strength Training in 2026: Scale, Demographics and Outcomes

The answer increasingly lies in scale, accessibility and layout. Strength training is no longer confined to a single demographic or training style, which means spaces must support high participation without limitations. According to IHRSA facility benchmarking data, strength and free-weight areas consistently rank among the highest-utilised zones in full-service gyms throughout the day, not just during peak hours. At the same time, public health guidelines from organisations such as the World Health Organization now recommend resistance training at least twice per week for adults of all ages, reinforcing strength training as a lifelong, mainstream activity.

This breadth of adoption changes how operators should think about equipment mix and floor planning. Strength zones must accommodate first-time users and experienced lifters simultaneously, supporting progression without friction. Machines that guide movement, clearly defined free-weight areas, and intuitive layouts all reduce barriers to entry while increasing engagement and repeat usage.

In 2026, the facilities that perform best will not simply have more strength equipment. They will have better-designed strength environments, built around flow, longevity and the way people really train.

Lower-Body and Posterior Chain Training: A Continued Focus

Within strength training, lower-body and posterior chain development continues to attract increased attention.

Across commercial gyms, leg-focused machines, platforms and free-weight stations are consistently among the most heavily used areas of the strength floor, reflecting the central role of lower-body work in modern training programs. Movements targeting the glutes, hamstrings and hip complex feature prominently across coached sessions, functional training and self-directed workouts, reinforcing lower-body strength as a foundational focus.

Equipment innovation has mirrored this demand. Purpose-built solutions such as the Glutebuilder range have become central features on modern strength floors, offering targeted posterior chain loading while improving accessibility, biomechanics and range of motion. Commercial gym installers are now allocating dedicated space for lower-body strength, ensuring these high-use areas support the training.

How Brands Are Shaping Modern Strength Floors

As strength training continues to scale, equipment design plays an increasingly important role in how facilities perform day to day. Brands like Precor, Nautilus and ZIVA have helped define what modern strength environments look and feel like.

Precor’s long-term approach to quality and biomechanics supports consistent movement patterns across all equipment, while Nautilus continues to influence machine design through its focus on natural human movement and resistance profiling. ZIVA has redefined free-weight and functional training spaces, delivering durable, modular solutions suited to high-traffic commercial environments.

Together, these brands reflect a broader industry shift: strength equipment is no longer judged solely on load capacity, but on longevity, aesthetics, and ease of use. This has direct implications for gym equipment maintenance and repairs, as operators are prioritising equipment that can withstand years of high use with minimal downtime.

Commercial Fitness Technology and the Role of EGYM

Alongside traditional strength equipment, commercial fitness technology continues to play a growing role in strength-focused environments.

EGYM integrates data-driven programming with strength training, reporting average strength gains of 30-40% within the first six months of use. By automating load progression and tracking outcomes, EGYM supports both novice and experienced users while providing operators with measurable insights into engagement and performance.

Rather than replacing conventional strength training, platforms like EGYM complement it, adding scalability and consistency to high-volume commercial settings.

Looking Ahead

Strength training doesn’t need reinvention. It needs continued investment, smart design and strong execution.

As the industry moves through 2025 and into 2026, strength will remain an anchor of commercial fitness, elite sport and wellness environments. For every commercial fitness operator, the opportunity lies in building spaces that support how people will continue to train - consistently, progressively and with purpose.

If you’re thinking of modernising or fitting out a new facility, visit our contact page. We’d love to chat.