By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism has uncovered a burgeoning network of neo-Nazi youth groups, known as Active Clubs, that are actively recruiting American teenagers through social media. These clubs, disguised as fitness groups, have seen a 59% increase in the United States since October 2023, spreading white supremacist ideology and propaganda, including quotes from Adolf Hitler. Originating from the Rise Above Movement, Active Clubs utilize a decentralized model developed by Robert Rundo and Denis Kapustin, offering guidance on evading law enforcement while coordinating street fights and propaganda. The groups emphasize fitness and community in their public messaging, but also host international events and generate revenue through merchandise, posing a growing transnational threat with 231 chapters documented across 28 countries as of 2025.
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Neo-Nazi ‘Fitness Clubs’ Surge in U.S., Recruiting Teens via TikTok and Telegram
This whole thing, the rise of these neo-Nazi fitness clubs, feels like something out of a bad history book, doesn’t it? We’ve seen the playbook before: using physical fitness, group activities, and a sense of belonging to draw in young, impressionable minds. The fact that they’re now doing it with protein shakes, gym memes, and social media platforms like TikTok and Telegram just makes it all the more unsettling. It’s like fascism got a makeover, complete with a content calendar.
The core issue here is the exploitation of teenage insecurities and the allure of aesthetic obsession. These groups are cleverly using these avenues to normalize extremist ideologies. The language used is often carefully crafted to appeal to a specific demographic, preying on the vulnerabilities of young people who may be struggling with their identity or looking for a sense of community. It’s a classic case of finding a niche and exploiting it.
A lot of this comes down to algorithms. These digital systems funnel young people down very narrow paths. The more targeted the content, the more likely it is to resonate with a specific audience, which in turn, reduces the need for diverse perspectives. This allows these groups to control the narrative, to feed young people a steady diet of propaganda and misinformation, and to isolate them from opposing viewpoints.
It’s like the world is moving in a direction where everyone is becoming the same. Instead of diverse interests, you’re now seeing a convergence of viewpoints. People are falling into these echo chambers where they reinforce each other’s biases. This makes it harder to combat these ideologies because they become so deeply ingrained in the individual’s worldview.
There’s an element of frustration that comes with this. The Left, the liberals, the Democrats – they need to find a way to connect with young people. It’s not that they don’t have a message, it’s that their message often gets co-opted and twisted by conservative media. This makes it even harder to counter the lies and misinformation.
This is a complex issue, and the answer isn’t simple. A lot of it comes down to mentorship. The right, with these fitness clubs and similar initiatives, is clearly focused on mentoring young people. The left needs to step up and offer a counter-narrative. We need to create spaces where young people feel welcome, where they can learn and grow, and where they can challenge the dangerous ideas being promoted by these neo-Nazi groups. It’s about being proactive, not just reactive.
The trend is clear – the rumblings among the fighting age white males are to get in shape because they believe a fight is coming. These groups are taking advantage of the Second Amendment, building militias, and preparing. Simultaneously, the Left, in many ways, is playing defense while the other side is actively recruiting.
These groups use gym content to lure in young folks, and once they get them, the brainwashing can begin. Fitness for all quickly turns into “you’re better than those lazy slobs.” And it’s not just fitness, it’s the whole package. This isn’t just a US phenomenon; it’s happening elsewhere.
The left has to provide competitive alternatives and stop lecturing. Remember that counterculture is a thing, and the youth is always dumb. Be the change you wish to see instead of just bitching about it on the internet.
The problem isn’t necessarily that the left isn’t doing it; it’s that they’re not doing it in a way that resonates with this audience. The left has, in many ways, abandoned young male circles.
This is not about doing “stuff like this” but stopping it from happening. Which the dems still suck at.