Mike CernovichVerified account

I think it’s overall. Anecdotally races I run are definitely more female.

Just anecdotal but in my friends group the women are more enthusiastic to go hiking etc, the men kind of get dragged along

Why do a triathlon when you can be a real badass and do a TOUGH MUDDER!

Men can now compete in the women's as long as they 'identify'.

Tris are very expensive and time consuming, particularly the iron man or half iron man distances. Probably also some churn with people doing obstacle type races instead.

At least in my group of friends they have all started to get into weight lifting, a few are doing short races, others are now playing in adult league sports. In my group I was the only “athlete” and played soccer at a collegiate level. Triathlons just don’t seem like fun to us.

We are learning that this level of exercise and exertion has long term negative health consequences. I think the younger generation is just busier, and would rather take up healthy less involved and more interesting exercise.

Fitness focused people do CrossFit BJJ or bodybuilding now

The most competitive age group in Ironman is men 35-39, triathlon and endurance sports in general favor older people with more mature mental capacity to tolerate pain for long periods of time.

I have a lot of active friends and like 3 of them participate in triathlons. I personally think they’re insane and entirely unnecessary. Would rather get my workout in in other ways.

One consideration here is that there has been a move back toward weight training for weight loss over that time period. It used to be long runs, long cardio was the only way. I've done a few Tri's and will do more.

This is a sign of the decline in not sports but competition in general. So many participation trophy kids with helicopter parents who won't let Johnny play outside.