Strava just dropped its Year in Sport report, and the data reveals one thing:

Gen Z is abandoning Instagram and TikTok for walking logs, running clubs, and “real-life experiences.”

This creates a once-in-a-decade opportunity.

Because when a generation shifts their identity — not just their habits — an entire cottage industry appears overnight:

• people desperate for validation
• loneliness disguised as “fitness community”
• gear-shopping addiction
• FOMO around clubs, races, and PRs
• rising social anxiety
• beginners terrified of being judged
• inflation, but still spending on fitness

Below are high-leverage, scalable side hustles that plug directly into the cracks Gen Z is revealing.

1. Build the “Walking Transformation Challenge” Funnel

Walking is the #2 most logged activity now. Millions feel guilty for “not being fit enough to run.”

You capitalize.

The Offer

Create a 28-Day Walking Glow-Up Challenge:

• weight loss without gym
• daily texting accountability
• “walk maps”
• calorie burn cheats
• body recomposition hacks
• scripts for posting Strava screenshots

Monetization (Both Ends)

People:

• $9–$29 challenge fee
• upsell: “Strava Bio Makeover”
• upsell: “Walking Form Audit” (AI video)

Brands:

• sell ad slots to shoe stores
• affiliate walking shoes, ASICS, HOKA
• promote Lululemon hiking packs

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2. The Strava Club Goldmine: Build, Sell, Repeat

Strava clubs have quadrupled. They’re the new Discord servers.

Most club creators burn out after 2 weeks.

You step in.

What You Do

• Make clubs around niches:

  • “Soft Girl Walkers Singapore”
  • “Low-Test Men Who Want Their First 5K”
  • “Dating Through Walking”
  • “Aesthetic Runners Only”
  • “Silently Suffering Grad Students Club”

• Build them to 500–5,000 members

• Sell admin rights

• Sell shoutouts

• Sell event slots

• Charge $29/month for “premium training plans”

Why It Works

Gen Z wants a tribe, not a plan.

3. Social Anxiety Running Guide (People Will Pay Anything)

Gen Z is fleeing social media because of anxiety — but now they panic about running in public.

You sell their cure.

Product

“The No-One-Is-Looking Outdoor Confidence Blueprint”

Includes:

• when to run so no one sees you
• how to choose routes without crowds
• what clothes make you look “experienced”
• how to avoid Strava embarrassment (slow pace hiding tricks)
• scripts to avoid talking to strangers on trails

Monetize

• $19 eBook
• $59 video course
• $199 coaching for “race anxiety correction”

Business end: partner with:

• therapy apps
• supplement brands
• running gear companies

4. The Race Boom Arbitrage Play

Participation exploded:

• 5Ks → +28%
• 10Ks → +39%
• Half-marathons → +31%
• Marathons → +33%

But new runners have zero strategy.

Your Side Hustle

Sell:

• “Guaranteed First 5K Finish Plan”
• “90-Day Marathon From Zero”
• “The Lazy Runner System”
• “Minimalist Runner Pack” (affiliate gear list)

Extra Monetization

• sell bib-alert tools
• upsell live WhatsApp coaching
• affiliate for shoes

5. The Walking Date Machine

64% of Gen Z would rather spend money on fitness gear than dates.

Perfect.

You sell:

“The Walking Date Playbook”

• best routes
• scripts
• poses
• how to look fit in Strava stories
• “silent walking date” guide
• playlists
• walking outfit checklist

Monetize

End A: $9 playbook → $29 video course → $79 premium routes

End B: partner with:

• fashion brands
• On Running
• coffee shops
• dating apps

6. “Strava for Beginners” Agencies

New users struggle with:

• uploading
• activity naming
• pace embarrassment
• club joining
• gear logging
• privacy settings

You create:

The Strava Setup Concierge

• $25 to fully configure someone’s profile
• $49 for branding + templates
• $99 for “influencer-look” setup

You monetize again by selling:

• affiliate running shoes
• gels
• wearables
• Garmin watches

7. Fitness Identity Makeover Service

Gen Z’s new personality is:

“I’m fit now.”

You sell identity.

Deliverables:

• Strava bios
• race-day captions
• “I’m a runner now” announcement templates
• aesthetic color palettes
• camera angles for walking vlogs
• PR celebration templates

Monetize (Both Ends)

• $29 templates
• sell to brands that want micro-influencers
• sell sponsored placements inside templates

8. Gear-Hungry Gen Z = Affiliate Empire

64% prefer buying gear over dating.

Your entire funnel becomes:

“Strava Must-Have Gear Kit 2026”

Push:

• ASICS Novablast
• Nike Pegasus
• HOKA Clifton
• hydration packs
• earbuds
• lightweight caps
• anti-chafe products

Monetize

• Amazon affiliates
• Shopee/Lazada affiliates
• Strava premium referral
• sponsorships

9. The “Walking for Weight Loss” Shame Machine

Gen Z hates gyms but wants abs.

You Sell

• a calculator that shows “how many steps to burn X”
• an AI model that rewrites walking routes to increase calorie burn
• “body recomp through walking” guides
• walking meal plans
• maps for secluded walking spots (no judgement)

Monetize

Users + brands simultaneously.

10. Build a Local Walking Event Empire

Clubs grew 4x. Events grew 1.5x.

But 95% of people have no idea how to organize a group walk.

You Offer

• PDF: “How to Host a Walking Event”
• kits for organizers
• checklists
• permits guide
• branded merch

Extra Monetization

• charge businesses $150–$500 to sponsor the walk
• partner with cafés to get revenue share
• upsell photos of the event