2 days
per week is the federal recommendation for muscle-strengthening activity
Adults should train all major muscle groups on 2 or more days each week.
Source: U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines, 2nd editionLPG MUSCLE REFERENCE
Strength Training Statistics: U.S. Adults
Federal activity guidance and citable U.S. participation data for coaches, writers, lifters, and anyone tracking the state of strength training.
THE QUICK READ
Strength work is part of the weekly standard, not an extra.
In the CDC's 2020 national snapshot, 24.2% of U.S. adults met both the aerobic and muscle-strengthening parts of the federal activity guideline.
This page keeps the figures easy to quote, dates every statistic, and links directly to the original federal source behind it.
CITABLE FIGURES
U.S. Strength Training Stats
150 min
of moderate activity is the weekly aerobic guideline for adults
The guidelines also allow an equivalent 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or a combination of both.
Source: U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines, 2nd edition75 min
of vigorous activity can meet the weekly aerobic guideline
A combination of moderate and vigorous activity is also included in the federal recommendation.
Source: U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines, 2nd edition24.2%
of U.S. adults met both aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines in 2020
This CDC snapshot is a useful benchmark because it measures the two parts of the adult activity recommendation together.
Source: CDC, Physical Activity Among Adults, 202028.3%
of men met both federal activity guidelines in 2020
The figure covers U.S. men age 18 and older in the National Health Interview Survey.
Source: CDC, Physical Activity Among Adults, 202020.4%
of women met both federal activity guidelines in 2020
The same CDC analysis found a lower rate among women age 18 and older.
Source: CDC, Physical Activity Among Adults, 202031.0%
of U.S. adults met the muscle-strengthening guideline in 2020
This figure includes adults who met the muscle-strengthening recommendation whether or not they also met the aerobic recommendation.
Source: CDC, Physical Activity Among Adults, 202046.3%
of U.S. adults met neither federal activity guideline in 2020
The CDC snapshot counted adults who met neither the aerobic nor the muscle-strengthening recommendation.
Source: CDC, Physical Activity Among Adults, 202035.2%
of U.S. men met the muscle-strengthening guideline in 2020
The CDC reported this figure for men age 18 and older, based on the National Health Interview Survey.
Source: CDC, Muscle-Strengthening Activity by Age and Sex, 2020HOW TO READ THIS
Two useful views of the same habit.
Muscle-strengthening activity
The federal guideline calls for muscle-strengthening work that involves all major muscle groups on 2 or more days per week. It sits alongside the aerobic recommendation, rather than replacing it.
Meeting the full guideline
The CDC's 2020 analysis measures adults meeting both the aerobic and muscle-strengthening parts of the recommendation. It is a useful dated benchmark, while the source and year should always travel with the statistic when it is quoted.
For practical training guidance, explore LPG Muscle's cable tricep exercise guide or use the cable attachment buying guide to find a setup that matches the movement you train.
METHOD & SOURCES
Built to be checked.
Every number above comes from a named U.S. federal source. The 2020 combined-guideline and sex-specific figures come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Weekly activity recommendations come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Source: CDC, Physical Activity Among Adults, 2020
- Source: U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines, 2nd edition
- Source: CDC, Muscle-Strengthening Activity by Age and Sex, 2020
Cite this page
LPG Muscle. Strength Training Statistics: U.S. Adults. Updated October 23, 2026. https://storelpgmuscle.com/strength-training-statistics
Data changes when federal agencies release new reporting. LPG Muscle will refresh this reference page when a key source updates, while keeping these stat links stable for citations.