This article was originally published on Crafting Your Home. A human contributor also wrote and edited the post.
Local run clubs and walking groups are becoming increasingly popular across the United States. Exercise alone isn’t driving the growth. Many people are joining because they want to spend less time online, meet new people, create dependable routines, and participate in affordable activities close to home.
Google reported increased searches for “digital detox,” run clubs, and walking groups in 2026. Searches for “walking club” reached a ten-year high, while searches for finding local run clubs and making friends through run clubs also increased.
People Want More In-Person Connection
One major reason for the growth is a desire for real-world social interaction. Online platforms allow people to communicate constantly, but digital contact does not always provide the same sense of belonging as meeting people in person.
Running clubs and walking groups create regular opportunities to see familiar faces. Participants do not need to arrange a formal dinner or make individual plans with several friends. They can attend a scheduled activity and interact with people who share an interest in movement and conversation.
This makes group fitness a type of “third space,” meaning a social environment outside the home and workplace. Cafés, community centers and libraries have traditionally served this function. Today, sidewalks, parks and running routes are becoming informal places where adults meet and build friendships.
Strava’s 2025 Year in Sport report found that new clubs on its platform nearly quadrupled during the year, reaching one million clubs. The report also found that 58 percent of respondents had made new friends through a fitness group.
The Appeal of Digital Detox
Many people are becoming more aware of how much time they spend looking at screens. Social media, streaming services and constant notifications can make people feel busy without necessarily making them feel connected.
A run or walk offers a simple way to put the phone aside while still doing something social. Participants may use their phones to find a meeting point or record an activity, but the main experience takes place in the physical world.
Google reported that searches for “how to digital detox” increased by 110 percent from the beginning of 2026. The same trend report showed stronger interest in outdoor social activities, including run clubs, walking groups and adult classes.
This does not mean that people are abandoning technology. Instead, many use digital tools to organize more face-to-face experiences. Social platforms and fitness apps can help people find local groups, while the actual connection happens offline.
Running Groups Offer More Than Exercise
Traditional exercise can feel hard to sustain when done alone. A person may have good intentions but lose motivation after a few weeks. A group provides structure and accountability.
When people know that others expect them to attend, they may be more likely to leave home and participate. The group also makes the activity feel less like a private test of discipline. Participants can run at different speeds, take breaks, and still feel included.
Many local run clubs have created beginner-friendly formats. Some meet for a short run followed by coffee, while others offer different pace groups. This allows people with different abilities to join the same event without everyone needing to complete the same distance.
The social structure can make running feel more accessible. Participants may join for exercise but continue because they enjoy the friendships, routine and encouragement.
Walking Groups Have a Lower Barrier to Entry
Walking groups are attracting people who may not consider themselves runners. Walking requires less specialized equipment, can be adapted to different fitness levels, and may be easier to fit into a normal day.
A walking group can include older adults, beginners, people returning to activity, and those who prefer a slower pace. The lack of competition can make the experience less intimidating.
Walking groups may also appeal to people who want conversation. Because participants are not moving quickly, they can talk more easily while walking. The activity becomes both a social gathering and a way to spend time outdoors.
This accessibility may help explain why searches for walking clubs have increased. The activity does not require membership in an expensive gym or participation in a competitive sports league.
Cost Matters to Participants
Financial pressure is another factor. Gym memberships, boutique fitness classes, and organized sports can be expensive. Local walking groups are often free, while running clubs may cost little or nothing beyond suitable shoes and clothing.
People can join a group without paying for a trainer, facility, or long-term membership. This makes the format attractive to adults who want regular activity but are trying to control spending.
Some run clubs also partner with cafés, athletic stores, or local businesses. These partnerships may provide meeting spaces, discounts, or events while helping small businesses reach new customers.
Younger Adults Are Seeking Community
Younger adults are an important part of the trend, but the movement is not limited to one generation. People who have moved to a new city or left school may find it difficult to make friends through traditional routines.
Run clubs provide a ready-made social setting. New participants do not have to approach strangers without a reason to speak. The activity gives them an immediate topic of conversation, such as the route, pace, or upcoming event.
Strava data reported in 2025 showed strong growth in clubs, with hiking clubs growing 5.8 times year over year and running clubs growing 3.5 times. The data comes from users of one fitness platform, so it does not represent every American runner or walking group. It nevertheless indicates significant interest among people already using digital tools to organize physical activities.
Local Groups Help People Feel Connected to Place
Run clubs and walking groups can also strengthen relationships with local neighborhoods. Participants may discover parks, trails, cafés and streets they previously ignored. Regular gatherings can help residents learn more about the area where they live.
For people who work remotely, a local group can add structure to days that might otherwise take place mostly at home. For newcomers, it can provide a low-pressure way to meet residents and learn about the community.
The groups may also support local events. Members might participate in charity runs, clean-up projects, or neighborhood activities. This can turn a fitness group into a broader community network.
Safety and Inclusion Remain Important
The growth of group activities does not eliminate safety concerns. Some runners and walkers may avoid exercising alone because of traffic, poor lighting, harassment, or unsafe routes. Group participation can make people feel more secure, but organizers still need to choose routes carefully and communicate expectations.
Strava reported that 70 percent more women than men in the United States identified the lack of a safe space as a barrier to working out. This statistic comes from Strava’s survey and should not be treated as a complete measure of safety for all Americans, but it highlights the importance of well-planned routes and inclusive group practices.
Groups can improve accessibility by offering multiple paces, welcoming beginners, choosing public meeting points, and avoiding assumptions about ability. Walking groups may also need to consider uneven paths, weather conditions and participants who use mobility aids.
The Trend Is About Belonging
The rise of run clubs and walking groups reflects a broader shift in how people think about fitness. Exercise is increasingly being combined with friendship, routine, outdoor time and local identity.
The groups appeal because they solve several common problems at once. They offer a reason to leave the house, a regular activity, a chance to meet people, and a low-cost way to spend time in the community.
The growth does not prove that all Americans are becoming more active or that group fitness will replace gyms and individual exercise. It does show that many people want activities that combine movement with connection.
For participants, the most important benefit may not be completing a certain distance. It may be knowing that other people will be waiting at the same place next week.
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