Earlier this week I stumbled on this post that claims only 3% of the world lifts weights.
I don’t know about the accuracy of that claim, but the sentiment resonated with me: not many people lift weights.
And then I started asking myself: why? Why don’t more people lift weights? What are the barriers? And just as importantly—what are the solutions? How can people overcome these hurdles? What helped me get over them when I first started my lifting journey?
Why Most People Don’t Lift
Access is one of the most common barriers. Not everyone has a gym nearby. Even when there is one, memberships can be expensive. Building a home gym poses its own challenges too—not everyone has the space or the budget to make it work.
Then there’s time. Busy jobs, kids, and life logistics make it hard to carve out hours to train consistently. I remember when my older daughter was born—my gym routine fell off a cliff. No matter how much I wanted to train, juggling family life and gym time felt nearly impossible.
But beyond access and time, two other factors seem to block most people from ever stepping into a weight room. These are the ones I hear most often from family, friends, and co-workers who want to lift but feel stuck.
First, the skill curve. Lifting weights can feel highly technical. Squats, deadlifts, bench presses—the names sound simple, but learning proper form can be overwhelming. Everyone knows how to hop on a bike or step on a treadmill. But not many first-time gym-goers know what to do with barbells and plates. People simply don’t know where or how to start.
Which leads to the biggest barrier of all: intimidation. No one wants to look foolish, and gyms can feel like foreign territory. It can seem like everyone around you knows exactly what they’re doing—dropping heavy weights, grunting, clanking dumbbells—while you’re just trying to figure out which way the machine seat is supposed to go.
If you’ve ever felt any of these, you’re not alone. These barriers stop millions of people before they even make it through the door.
The Cheat Code: Don’t Go Alone
Every hero has a party. Frodo had Sam. Luke had Obi-Wan. Mario had Luigi. So why would you go solo in the gym?
Bringing a gym buddy or accountability partner is the simplest, highest-leverage way to start your lifting journey—especially if your partner already has some experience.
This was how I got over the hurdles when I first started. A buddy of mine offered to show me the ropes and we hit the gym three times a week together. He was an experienced lifter who had fallen out of practice, so it became a mutually beneficial partnership. I learned the basics, and he got back on the wagon.
When you train with someone else, your confidence rises because you’re not the lone newbie in the room. If your buddy is experienced, they can help you hit the ground running. If they’re a beginner like you, then you get to treat it as a shared journey — an opportunity to level up together.
A gym buddy also helps solve the “time trap.” When someone is depending on you, you’re far less likely to cancel. Accountability makes it easier to show up—not just for yourself, but for them. And research backs this up: consistency skyrockets when you have someone to train with.
Not to mention, lifting with friends makes the whole process more fun. You’re not just building strength—you’re making memories.
So maybe today’s the day to text a friend: “Hey, want to be my gym buddy and come lift with me sometime?”
Because the goal isn’t perfection. The goal is consistency through connection—and growth through partnership.
That’s all for this week.
Catch y’all next Sunday✌️.