Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 7 hrs ago
Athleticism Is Becoming a New Fitness Status Symbol
Athletic ability is becoming a new fitness status symbol, alongside the muscular looks that have long been used to show fitness.
The trend is growing on social media, where creators post demonstrations of speed, jumping power, agility and coordination.
Some people train these skills without preparing for a particular sport, making movement itself the goal.
Fitness creator Dylan Shannon combines powerlifting-style strength with sprinting and drills, while former bodybuilder Chris Bumstead has shifted toward athletic training.
Coaches say more people are asking what they can do with the bodies they have built, rather than focusing only on appearance.
Social media is helping athletic training reach a wider audience, though the skills involved have long been part of sports and strength coaching.
Athleticism is emerging as a fitness status symbol, alongside or instead of appearance-focused goals.
People are showcasing speed, power, agility and coordination, often without training for a particular sport.
Fitness creators and coaches are sharing athletic drills and performances on social media.
The trend reflects a shift toward asking what people can do with the bodies they have built.
- Who
- Fitness enthusiasts, coaches and social media creators are emphasizing athleticism.
- What
- Athletic ability is becoming a new fitness status symbol.
- When
- The article was published on October 15, 2026; it describes a recent trend.
- Where
- Social media, including Instagram.
- Why
- The article says attention-grabbing athletic performances can stand out in feeds already filled with physiques, and some people want to test what their bodies can do.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Dylan Shannon started posting on social media.
Shannon noticed a “huge explosion” in athleticism-focused coaches and creator-athletes on social media.
- Article publication
- October 15, 2026
- Dylan Shannon
- Started posting on social media about two and a half years ago
- Jason and Lauren Pak
- More than 1.5 million Instagram followers
- Chris Bumstead
- Six-time Mr. Olympia Classic Physique champion
- Chris Bumstead's videos
- Include 60-inch box jumps and treadmill sprints
1 source
What people are saying
For a long time, a lot of guys trained with one main goal—to build their body
what can I actually do with the body that I’ve built?
People see that they can be both jacked and athletic.