Strava’s 2021 YEAR IN SPORT Highlights Growth in Physical Activity

An analysis of 1.8 billion activity uploads from Strava’s global community of over 95 million athletes shows the lasting impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and extreme weather conditions on athletic activity.

Source: Press Release

Strava, the leading social platform, with over 95 million athletes and the world’s largest sports community, today released its annual data report on the year in sport. It reveals that the pandemic-related boom in physical activity shows no signs of slowing down. It also shows how extreme weather events are impacting athlete behavior around the world.

In 2021, global activity rates on Strava continued to rise to new records, with over 37 million uploads per week, totaling 1.8 billion public activity shares over the past 12 months. In 2021, although the gradual return of some in-person events and races was eagerly awaited by athletes, the need for connection with a community of athletes remains stronger than ever. This year’s 38% increase in activity uploads follows the 2020 surge, with 1.1 billion uploads (a 33% increase over 2019). 2 million new athletes joined the community each month globally. Together, they recorded over 32 billion kilometers this year.

“Even as the global athletic community navigated another year of pandemic-related disruptions and restrictions, we saw a persistent desire from athletes to stay connected and motivate each other. Athletes around the world recorded and shared their runs, bike rides, and lunch break walks. And in return, the community encouraged each other by giving out 9.6 billion kudos,” emphasizes Michael Horvath, CEO of Strava. “Every effort counts on Strava. Our team is thrilled to provide a platform for everyone who puts in physical effort to connect with their peers, find new spaces to be active, set goals, join clubs, and challenge their friends. Strava is committed to creating a positive impact in areas that matter to us and our athletes: climate change, environmental racism, equity, and inclusion in sport.”

Key findings from Year In Sport 2021 include:

MORE ACTIVE…

• The pandemic-related sports boom is not slowing down. Strava upload rates for all sports have increased significantly, as has a significant rise in personal records.
• Over 1.8 billion activities were uploaded to Strava in the last 12 months.
• A 38% increase in activities compared to the previous year. A trend that began in 2020.
• While all types of sports have seen considerable growth, walking (2.0x) and hiking (1.7x) stand out, showing the strongest continuous growth in 2021, alongside yoga and other indoor sports.
• In 2020, walking increased by 3.0 times and hiking by 1.9 times over the year.
• Among runners who joined Strava in 2020, nearly twice as many set new personal records in 2021 (5 km, half marathon, etc.) this year compared to last year.

TOGETHER

• Starting the year with a goal makes a difference. One of the best ways to stay motivated is to tackle a goal with other people.
• In January, athletes who set a New Year’s goal recorded 2 more hours of activity than those who did not.
• Half of group challenge participants uploaded more activities in the 30 days after the challenge started than in the 30 days before.
• Since its launch in May, Strava’s “MAPS” tab has generated over 120 million route suggestions for cyclists, runners, and walkers to explore.
• The total number of club members on Strava increased by 37%. This figure adds to the strong increase recorded last year.
• Over 189,000 new clubs were created on Strava this year.

WALKING, AN ESSENTIAL COMPLEMENT

• Walking is more popular than ever, especially among women.
• More than ever, athletes are uploading walking activities to Strava. This increase in popularity applies to all age groups, genders, and regions.
• Women who run or ride are 2.4 times more likely to upload walking activities than men.
• Athletes who regularly upload walking activities record 2.5 to 4 hours per week.
• Cyclists and runners who walk are 16% more likely to still be active six months later than athletes who do not.

CLIMATE IMPACTS SPORTS PRACTICE

Extreme weather conditions and concerning air quality are impacting athlete behavior worldwide.
• During the freeze and power crisis in Texas in February, there was a 57% decrease in outdoor activities.
• During the heatwave that hit Oregon this summer, outdoor activities dropped by 23%.
• During the snowstorm in Madrid in January and the floods in Nagano in August, indoor activities increased by 55% and 56% respectively.

With Year In Sport 2021, Strava analyzed public activity uploads on its platform between October 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021. Private activities and activities from athletes who chose not to use Strava’s features are excluded from the aggregated data.

Strava community figures in 2021:

• Over 95 million athletes in total.
• Approximately 2 million new athletes sign up each month. • 1.8 billion activity uploads in the last 12 months.
• 20 billion kilometers covered.
• 189,000 Strava clubs created.
• 9.6 billion Kudos given.

Download the full YIS 2021 report: https://blog.strava.com/press/yis2021/

• Over 95 million athletes in total.
• Approximately 2 million new athletes sign up each month.
• 1.8 billion activity uploads in the last 12 months.
• 20 billion kilometers covered.
• 189,000 Strava clubs created.
• 9.6 billion Kudos given.

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