I think we all remember our first time stepping into the gym, fresh runners on our feet, tags still on our tops, and, let’s face it, without a single clue where to start, caught somewhere between the rowing machine and the bubbler, ignoring the YouTube video you tried to memorise, scribbled somewhere in your Notes app, and wondering just how many weeks it’ll take before you get as big as the bloke throwing 30 kg over each shoulder.
It turns out, I’m not alone. No matter how comfortable we all are in the gym these days, new data from Spotify suggests almost one in four Australians have put off exercise because they're self-conscious about their fitness or appearance. Another 21% have held back because they're worried about being watched or judged, while 34% say the financial strain of a regular gym membership is enough to keep them couch-bound in 2026.
For a country that’s built a reputation for a fit and active lifestyle, it’s a startling insight into the number of people reluctantly missing out.
Spotify's answer is the all-new Fitness function, which launched earlier this year for Premium subscribers at no extra cost.
As easy as flicking on a podcast or jumping back into your favourite artists, it pulls guided workouts, Peloton classes, and creator workout videos into one convenient place so you can walk into a gym already knowing exactly how you’re going to spend the next hour.
It’s part of a wider push for Spotify to meet its audience where they are. Whether that’s at the gym or pounding the pavement in desperate need of a tune to pick them up, Spotify wants to provide the go-to fitness hub inside the app you already open every morning.
After training, join the staggering 67% of Australians who find the time to meditate through the Spotify app, clearly seeking a space where they can relax and switch off, with listening peaks between midnight and 3 AM.
Admittedly, Fitness with Spotify won't (yet) replace a good PT, and serious lifters who already pay for Strava, Runna, or a coaching app probably won't cancel any of their premium benefits just yet. But for the person whose biggest barrier is simply getting started, being able to train privately, cheaply, and without having to work out what every machine does, Fitness with Spotify could be that crucial next step to get moving.