The study, powered by Kantar and based on responses from Gen Z participants across metros and Tier-1 cities, shows a clear shift from casual fitness interest to daily health engagement. Young consumers are logging workouts, tracking steps, and aligning nutrition with mood and productivity. Their approach combines physical movement with mental balance, reflecting a broader change in how they define health.
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The report reveals that 80% of Gen Z respondents agreed that fitness and healthy habits have become a daily part of their lives, marking a steady consistency across Q2 and Q3. This consistency underscores how health consciousness has moved from aspiration to action — with step counts, sleep hours, and mood check-ins becoming daily rituals.
From Gyms to Gadgets: The Digital Fitness Routine
The data shows that Gen Z’s engagement with fitness has shifted online, where digital tools shape real-world habits. More than three in four respondents use mobile apps or wearable devices to track their physical activity. Step counters, calorie calculators, and smartwatch dashboards have replaced traditional gym logs.
The “always connected” generation turns to digital platforms not only for workouts but also for social motivation. Over 70% of those surveyed said they discover fitness ideas and wellness content through creators and influencers on social media. Sharing milestones — whether it’s a 10,000-step streak or a yoga pose mastered — has made tracking progress a social act. This fit, balanced and informed fusion of tech and training captures how young Indians use data to drive discipline.
ET OnlineMind Over Matter: The Mental Health Connection
The third edition of the report highlights that the Gen Z definition of health extends beyond physical endurance. Mental well-being ranks high among their priorities, with over two-thirds acknowledging that emotional balance is as important as fitness itself.
The survey notes that mental health was among the top self-reported values among the respondents. This generation openly discusses stress, therapy, and mindfulness — and actively seeks tools to manage them. Apps for meditation, digital detox challenges, and sleep-tracking habits are increasingly part of their daily routine.
This reflects a cultural shift: fitness is now a complete system involving both mind and metrics.
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Beyond the Mirror: Everyday Wellness as a Social Signal
For Gen Z, fitness has evolved into a social and personal statement. The report finds that nearly 8 in 10 respondents say they “follow trends and memes” that promote health positivity or fitness routines, showing how lifestyle choices are embedded in their online identity.
This behavior is reinforced by the “overshare culture” that thrives on transparency. Health journaling, gym check-ins, and nutrition tracking are frequently shared on social media not as vanity but as validation — proof of progress and commitment. This has created a cycle where data visibility drives accountability, making digital tracking a new form of discipline.
Ethical and sustainable living also shapes their choices. The findings show that a majority of Gen Z prefer brands that are ethical and eco-aware, underlining how wellness now intersects with conscious consumption. From reusable water bottles to plant-based diets, they see health and sustainability as part of the same equation.
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Brands Catch Up to the Movement
The data shows clear links between Gen Z’s habits and brand engagement. Sportswear giants like Nike, Adidas, and Puma continue to dominate recall, with Nike gaining ground among older Gen Z audiences and in non-metros. Health and beauty brands such as Dove, Lakmé, and L’Oréal maintain strong appeal, reflecting trust in self-care categories.
The fitness ecosystem extends beyond apparel. Delivery platforms like Blinkit and Swiggy are aligning with lifestyle shifts, offering healthier meal choices and faster access to essentials. Streaming platforms, led by Netflix and Prime Video, also play an indirect role by hosting fitness and wellness content that keeps the digital generation engaged in health-related learning.
The New Normal: Balance, Consistency, and Data
The report concludes that Gen Z’s health identity is built on three pillars — balance, consistency, and digital insight. They are hitting the gym and tracking steps, shopping online and styling festive fits – summing up the blend of physical, digital, and cultural engagement defining this generation.
Fitness is no longer an occasional resolution but an always-on lifestyle — one that combines emotional resilience, self-measurement, and social influence. Every step counted, every screen used, and every mindful pause reflects how India’s young adults are rewriting what it means to be fit in a digital age — where the body, mind, and metrics move in sync.
ET Online