Strength Training remains a staple of any fitness regime, but measuring and comparing strength with other fitness fanatics can be difficult. However, our brand new survey has highlighted the differences across the UK, revealing the cities boasting the highest average weights in the gym for different strength-focused exercise routines.

So, which UK city will take the top spot, ranking as the strongest above all others? Without further ado, let’s dive into the results!

Survey Methodology

To uncover the strongest cities in the UK, we conducted a survey of 2,000 adults who lift weights in the gym.

They were quizzed on how often they go to the gym as well as the heaviest weight they can lift during different exercises. These exercises include deadlifts, squats, bench presses, and military presses. The respondents were categorised by location, and the total average weight was calculated to identify the strongest cities.

The UK's Strongest Cities by Average Weight (KG)

1. Gloucester - 232.2kg

In first place, ranking as the strongest city in the entirety of the UK is Gloucester. Impressively, survey respondents from this city average a combined 232.2kg, making it a hub for intense strength-focused exercises. The results highlight how many fitness fanatics in this city prioritise strength in the gym, resulting in impressive average weights.

2. Plymouth - 214.4kg

Plymouth ranks in second place, averaging 214.4kg across all weightlifting exercises. It’s easy to see why, with many high-quality establishments providing people with a dedicated strength training section, prioritising weight lifting routines and allowing residents to smash their strength-focused fitness goals.

3. Belfast - 212.3kg

Next is Belfast, which placed third and averaged 212.3kg across various weightlifting routines. The Northern Irish capital prioritises strength building, with dedicated studios allowing people to improve their physique and form. The city is health-conscious, reflected in the survey’s findings.

4. Leicester - 202.4kg

Leicester ranks as one of the strongest cities in the UK, racking up an average of 202.4kg for any weight-based exercises in the gym. With a combination of strength-focused gyms and recovery centres dotted throughout the city, residents have everything they need to prioritise strength building and fitness.

5. York - 202kg

Not far behind Leicester and Belfast is York, with an average of 202kg across all surveyed weight exercises. York punches above its weight with high-quality strength-training gyms and various fitness establishments dotted throughout the city.

6. Brighton & Hove - 201.6kg

Brighton & Hove ranks as the sixth strongest city in the UK, averaging 201.6kg for any weight-focused exercises. With high averages in the deadlift and squat exercises, Brighton & Hove is a city that takes strength-building seriously. The city is home to British weightlifting clubs and wellness establishments providing the foundations for fitness success.

7. Coventry - 193.5kg

In seventh place, Coventry averages 193.5kg across all weight-focused exercises, making the Midlands city one of the strongest in the entire UK. Interestingly, in our Wellness Index, Coventry also ranked inside the top ten cities, highlighting its commitment to providing residents with high-quality health and fitness establishments.

8. Swansea - 192.1kg

Swansea places eighth in the ranking, just behind Coventry, averaging a total weight of 192.1kg. The Welsh city is a great place for training strength, with access to 24-hour gyms including larger chains and smaller independent businesses, meaning there’s somewhere for everyone across this iconic city.

9. Edinburgh - 191.7kg

Placing just inside the top ten is Edinburgh, the Scottish capital city averages 191.7kg across all four weight-focused exercises. Edinburgh is another UK city prioritising strength training, reflected by its high average weight, making it the ninth-strongest UK city.

10. Birmingham - 190.8kg

Rounding off the top ten cities is Birmingham. Overall, England’s ‘second city’ averages just over 190kg, but still ranks as one of the strongest out of all locations across the UK. With a combination of diverse gyms, high-quality facilities and trained professionals on hand to support people on their strength-building journey.

Here, Adam Bishop, two-time winner of Britain’s Strongest Man and Mirafit Ambassador, reveals expert tips for improving average lifting weight in the gym -

“It’s fascinating to uncover the different average weights across the UK, and it’s interesting to see how they fluctuate from city to city. With the right approach, anyone can improve their personal bests and boost their average, but it takes time and patience.

“Generally, people should aim to incorporate progressive overload into their gym routine. This means starting at a manageable weight and gradually increasing the difficulty when certain weights become easier. Even increasing weights by one or two kg can make a huge difference.

“Aside from progressive overload, tracking progress is essential. Finding an app, fitness tracker or a good old-fashioned notebook and pen can help you visualise weight, sets and reps in a more digestible manner - and allow you to see how far you’ve come, increasing motivation and accountability.

The Strongest UK Cities by Weight Exercises

Aside from the total average, we’ve broken down the results by weight-focused exercise (deadlift, bench press, military press and squat). By doing so, we can examine the cities that perform best at different strength-based routines.

The Best UK Cities at Deadlifts

1. Gloucester - 84.5kg
2. Plymouth - 82.13kg
3. Belfast - 79.67kg
4. York - 79.17kg
5. Brighton & Hove - 76.47kg

In terms of the deadlift exercise, Gloucester (84.5kg) and Plymouth (82.13kg) lead the way with a noticeable increase in comparison to the other three cities. This Barbell exercise may seem simple, but it requires great core, arm and leg strength, plus the correct form to be done safely.

The Best UK Cities at Military Press

1. Gloucester - 56.63kg
2. Belfast - 56.03kg
3. Plymouth - 52.89kg
4. Edinburgh - 52.33kg
5. London - 51.96kg

Next, Gloucester ranks top for the military press, a challenging strength-focused exercise that requires the individual to lift a barbell up and over their head. Belfast (56.03kg) and Plymouth (52.89kg) follow closely behind, while Edinburgh (52.33kg) and London (51.96kg) make up the top five.

The Best UK Cities at Squats

1. Gloucester - 86.38kg
2. Brighton & Hove - 78.55kg
3. Plymouth - 69.73kg
4. Leicester - 65.78kg
5. Liverpool - 65.06kg

In terms of the squat exercise, it’s Gloucester who, again, ranks top with an average weight of 86.38kg. The squat requires a person to stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart before lowering the body by bending the knees and then returning to the starting position. Aside from Gloucester, Brighton & Hove (78.55kg) and Plymouth (69.73kg) made up the top three.

The Best UK Cities at Bench Press

1. Gloucester - 69.5kg
2. Swansea - 67.04kg
3. Leicester - 62.83kg
4. Plymouth - 61.97kg
5. Brighton & Hove - 60.88kg

Finally, for the bench press, a strength exercise where a person lies on a Workout Bench and pushes a barbell upwards, Gloucester takes top spot with an average weight of 69.50kg. Swansea isn’t far behind with 67.04kg, while Leicester (62.83kg), Plymouth (61.97kg) and Brighton & Hove (60.88kg) make up the rest of the top five cities.

Strongest Body Parts by City

Our informative strength survey also explored the body parts people consider the strongest. Overall, the survey results revealed that legs were perceived to be the strongest body part, with over half (54%) of respondents believing so.

This makes sense, as although leg day might not be the most popular day in the gym, it’s incredibly effective, especially for people engaging in strength-focused routines who require power stemming from the legs to master lifts and perfect form. Across the survey, just over one in three (39%) revealed legs were their favourite body part to train in the gym.

Additionally, one in three Brits (35%) also believe their arms are their strongest body part. As the survey was only completed by people who lift weights, this is to be expected. Muscles such as biceps and triceps are integral to many weight-lifting exercises, providing power and strength to master form.

With almost half (44%) of people revealing arms as their favourite body part to train in the gym, this body part exceeds all others across the entire survey.

In terms of the perceived ‘strongest body part’, other popular answers included -

• Shoulders (24%)

• Chest (23%)

• Abs/Core (18%)

• Back (16%)

• Forearms (16%)

How does this compare around the UK? Well, a whopping 96% of people in Worcester view legs as their strongest body part, a belief shared by the majority of respondents in Brighton & Hove (73%), Wolverhampton (73%) and York (68%).

In Aberystwyth, 100% of people believe their arms are their strongest body part, despite 0% stating it’s their favourite body part to work out in the gym. This is also echoed by strength-focused fitness fanatics in Worcester (70%) and Belfast (59%), who also view arms as their strongest body part.

Which UK City Has the Most Dedicated Gym Goers?

Our final part of our strongest cities survey reveals the parts of the UK prioritising the gym the most. We aimed to uncover the cities that, on average, attend the gym the most, over the course of a week. The results revealed the top five dedicated gym going cities -

1. Worcester - 3.67 days
2. Brighton & Hove - 3.53 days
3. Liverpool - 3.37 days
4. Birmingham - 3.27 days
5. Gloucester - 3.23 days

With an average of nearly four days per week, Worcester ranks as the most dedicated city in terms of gym attendance. They’re followed closely behind by Brighton & Hove (3.53) while Liverpool (3.37), Birmingham (3.27) and Gloucester (3.23) make up the top five.

So, for these five dedicated cities, what ranks as their main priority in the gym?

• Worcester - Increase strength / lose fat.

• Brighton & Hove - Increase strength.

• Liverpool - Improve overall health & fitness.

• Birmingham - Improve overall health & fitness.

• Gloucester - To build muscle / lose fat.

Interestingly, there’s quite an even split between a desire to increase strength and going to the gym to boost general health and fitness levels. As the survey was limited to people who lift weights, we expected to see a number of cities express their desire to increase muscle strength, as seen by locations such as Worcester and Brighton & Hove.

In total, 22 cities revealed they go to the gym to improve overall health and fitness, while six prioritise improving their strength. Additionally, three cities revealed that building muscle is their main priority.

Here, Adam Bishop, two-time winner of Britain’s Strongest Man and Mirafit Ambassador, speaks on the importance of recovery:

“While going to the gym three to four times a week is a solid target for people aiming to improve strength while boosting health and fitness levels, it’s also important to be mindful of the importance of recovery. Without substantial recovery periods, performance can plateau due to injury or incorrect form through fatigue.

“To maintain the highest standards while in the gym, find the correct balance for you and stick to it. For some, that could be going to the gym four times a week, but balancing intensity to avoid burnout, while others may find it more beneficial to attend the gym two or three times a week. Overall, I’m incredibly encouraged by the survey’s findings, particularly in the top five cities mentioned.

“Be sure to prioritise rest, aiming for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. It’s also important to establish a well-balanced nutrition plan that supports this intense daily movement. As always, people should stop working out immediately should they feel a potential injury, to avoid exacerbating the issue.”

Overall, this survey has yielded some fascinating insights into how different parts of the UK approach strength-building and general gym use.

It’s interesting to see the difference between the perceived strongest body parts and the sections of the body people actually like training the most. With Adam’s expert advice, everyone should be able to improve their average weight and better prioritise recovery to limit the risk of injury. Are you feeling inspired by our survey? Check out our range of popular Home Gym Packages.

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Tags: Misc > Lifestyle