Picture this: You’re running on nothing but caffeine and muscle memory. Music is pounding through one ear and a peppy voice slicing through the other. You’re sporting some prominent under-eye bags and a mismatched workout set — no runner’s high compares to a 6 a.m. workout class. Add in a bachelorette group with a very pumped-up bride and some not-so-happy bridesmaids, and you have a perfect representation of the Nashville workout scene. 

Returning from winter break, I was ecstatic to get back to my regularly scheduled classes. The closest thing to a workout class in my hometown is a 3 p.m. Zumba class at the senior citizen center. Imagine my absolute horror when I went to schedule my classes for January only to find every class within a 10-mile radius booked. While some may chalk this change up to a classic case of New Year’s resolutioners determined to set a tone for the coming year, I have been watching my classes’ attendance slowly increase for quite some time.

I had once considered ClassPass, a student-friendly fitness subscription platform that allows students to book workout classes at a discounted rate — a hidden gem of sorts. Think of the hole-in-the-wall bar your friend group has deemed yours. Now, imagine you go away, only to come back to it full of the Broadway crowd. Disappointing, right? I considered this sudden influx of attendance to simply be a result of a new app discovery offering steep discount rates on classes that are anything but cheap. But I still wondered if this seeming rise in group fitness classes was simply a momentary fad, or might this be a reflection of Nashville’s changing culture? 

For many students, diet and fitness culture is a familiar concept. We’ve grown up with our parents talking about it, we’ve seen it reverberated across media and, let’s be honest, we’ve most likely all fallen for it. And the reality is, who could blame us? In a world that constantly reminds us that looks are everything, it is no surprise that we, myself included, fall for products like the “de-bloating drink that will give you abs in a week.” These trends, of course, are nothing new. After all, pilates classes and overpriced açaí bowls aren’t some magical discovery that just appeared overnight. Although we could credit Nashville’s growing fitness scene to diet and workout culture, the truth is that this culture has always existed, it has simply evolved and manifested in different appearances over time. 

I believe there is a simpler, but frequently ignored, explanation for the full classes that have been causing our stress. Nashville isn’t just growing — it’s transforming at an undeniable pace. With an influx of almost 32,000 people in 2023 alone, it is no wonder that the city continuously appears to be reinventing itself, looking and feeling different with each passing year. Although I’d love to claim Nashville as my own by the time I graduate, true Nashvillians — those who remember when the Gulch was more of a rail yard than a bustling neighborhood — would most definitely disagree. 

Nowhere is this growth more visible than in the city’s booming fitness industry. What once was a city with a handful of boutique fitness studios and traditional gyms has evolved into a hub for trendy commercial fitness chains such as Orangetheory, Barry’s and Barre3. Less than two years after its first Nashville studio opened, Solidcore has tripled its presence with the addition of a third location just last month. Even Nashville’s green spaces have transformed into open-air fitness hubs. Visit Centennial or the riverfront any day after five, and you will find a handful of recreational volleyball teams, outdoor yoga classes, endless streams of runners and clusters of people powering through some miserable-looking high-intensity interval workouts. 

Nashville must ensure that, as its population expands and its tourism industry flourishes, it takes intentional steps to grow alongside its established residents. While boutique fitness studios and trendy workout spots cater heavily to short-term visitors, there is a noticeable lack of spaces for long-term residents. With almost 45,000 college students residing in the Nashville area across 10 different universities, Nashville’s is especially well-suited to cater to a young and thriving population of students. However, you will find that even the most commercial spaces are primarily located in touristy areas, such as the Gulch, Green Hills and Germantown. Not only are most college students unwilling to travel and fight the Nashville traffic, but they do not have the funds or are unwilling to spend the money it takes to keep up with this lifestyle. Therefore, as Nashville continues to grow, the fitness industry should prioritize creating spaces with students in mind. Hillsboro, for example, is an ideal location for both Vanderbilt and Belmont students, as it lies within walking distance of both. 

Additionally, increasing targeted marketing towards students can ensure this demographic’s fitness needs are being met. Offering students special discount rates, partnering with student groups or the schools’ health programs to host free classes and adjusting business hours to times when college students are more likely to work out are all effective ways of getting students involved in the Nashville fitness scene. 

Active cities, where physical activity is prioritized, are overall healthier, wealthier, safer, greener and, unsurprisingly, happier. I believe this same principle holds true for college campuses. Fitness may not be a cure-all, but it most certainly won’t create new problems. Therefore, although I could continue to take pity on myself every time I’m unable to get into one of my favorite fitness classes, I could also acknowledge how this element is both a reflection of Nashville’s evolving identity and a testament to where Nashville is headed. It’s not just about Nashville embracing a more active lifestyle, it’s about having a space where residents feel empowered to become their best selves.