Canberra teenagers have embraced gyms in increasing numbers, with social media pressure and better health awareness credited for the rise.
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Fernwood Belconnen manager Lynn Williams said numbers of under-18s at the female-only fitness centre had roughly tripled in the last five years, with encouraging mothers a key factor.
"When I first began at Fernwood it was taboo to bring their daughters to the gym, now that's changed," Ms Williams said.
The veteran trainer and instructor said between 15 and 30 school-aged members exercised at Belconnen and about 20 at Fernwood Gungahlin, with numbers boosted by approaches to nearby colleges.
The large majority were aged 16 and 17, she said, with their focus on dancing and treadmill sessions rather than weight training.
Gold's Gym Canberra manager Matt Vozella said the number of minors across the Gold's centres at Fyshwick and Gungahlin had grown, and it was young men who were under the biggest pressure from society to join.
"Generally if you have a good physique as a woman there won't be a lot you need to do – [but] the times that we're in, the sign of what is attractive for a man is a muscular body, and you can't have that without training and eating well," Mr Vozella said.
Social media was "probably the most influencing factor", he said.
"It also goes hand in hand with the health and fitness culture - taking selfies, updates with the progress of the body, what you're eating."
Flames Fitness North Lyneham trainer Rob Jamieson said the gym had 10-12 members in the 16-18 age bracket, up from two or three a year ago, with 70 per cent males.
Kersten Storrier, 17, was one who has embraced constant gym sessions, spending an hour or more training each morning for the last year.
The administrative assistant said it was not image but relaxation which was her first motivator.
"It was just stress release really, girls and school and stuff got too much," she said.
"It's a great time to get away from things, and I just feel great when I do."
The Crookwell resident said she travelled regularly for sessions in Canberra as she worked toward her goal of becoming a fitness model, hoping to attend her first competition in April.
Gold's Gym Australia head coach Alicia Gowans said she had noticed an increase in young women working out, often - as in Kersten's case - encouraged by parents.
"It's more about the empowerment, being strong rather than skinny," she said.