It’s become a place for people to meet new people, make friends, build routines and improve mental wellbeing.
The growing popularity of fitness is being seen across all Perth Gyms, with Revo Fitness employee Tina Wani noticing an increase in people using the gym both as a place to exercise and to socialise. Tina says even younger teenagers are beginning to use gyms as a way to spend time with their friends.
“People at the gym are really friendly because no one is there for malicious intent,” Tina said.
“Everyone is there to work on themselves and for positive reasons.”
For decades the global stereotype on a typical Australian included details like zinc, saltwater and surfing at sunrise, but in Perth, a new way to view fitness is growing.
It is not found by the sand in the Hillarys, but under the bright lights of 24/7 gyms.
According to the Australian Sports Commission, out of their top ten activities in Australia, participation in fitness/gyms had increased the most.
For psychologist Jodie Huston, it’s clear that the appeal for gyms go far beyond physical fitness.
She explains how people are naturally drawn to environments that provide both connection and structure, particular in a day and age where social media can leave people feeling increasingly isolated.
“Gym is this wonderful thing that combines all the best things about being human,” Huston said.
Whether it is meeting a friend to work out or following a training schedule you set for yourself, Huston says gyms provide people with both structure and a sense of achievement.
“Exercise is the best thing you could possibly ever do,” she said.
It is common to link the gym and exercise with its physical benefits, but regular exercise can improve a broader range of things.
Regular exercise can improve your sleep, strengthens your bones and muscles, boosts your mood and benefits your overall mental well-being.
Huston said exercise can also act as a distraction from everyday stress, allowing people to focus on what their bodies are doing in the moment.
The social side of fitness is also becoming increasingly visible.
Instead of only seeing friends at university or running into them at work or social events, gym sessions have become a part of social routines for people in Perth.
Tina explained how easy it was to make friends at the gym, with people often starting conversations with one another between workouts.
The culture surrounding fitness has also extended beyond the gym floor.
Perth has become filled with success stories for activewear brands like Kikiva and Velocity, with Tina saying gym outfits can act as a confidence booster for people before they even begin their workout.
“The way that you look does have a lot to do with how well your workout is,” she said.
Fitness journeys, workout routines and healthy lifestyle content have been appearing across social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram fuelling this gym culture even further.
But Huston says social media can have both positive and negative effects. Fitness content can motivate people to become more active however placing too much focus on other people’s bodies can also create immense pressure to look a certain way.
She said people should focus on what their bodies can do rather than simply how they look, setting performance goals around strength and endurance instead of appearance.
Despite the potential pressures surrounding modern fitness culture, both Tina and Jodie believe the benefits of exercise greatly outweigh the negatives when it is approached in a healthy way.
For Perth’s growing fitness community, the gym is becoming more than just a place to punish your body. It is a place that can celebrate what your body can do and heal your mind. Because fitness is about feeling good, not just looking good.
Simply inspirational. Thank you Pascaline. The conclusion is key to me: “ the gym is becoming more than just a place to punish your body. It is a place that can celebrate what your body can do and heal your mind. Because fitness is about feeling good, not just looking good.” Impactful!