A later study from Life Time Wellness found that 99% of respondents felt more joyful after working out—so distant, so self-evident? Or are exercisers developing from a deep-set attitude move? Check out this round-up of the most recent investigations to remain ahead in 2025.
Walk into a gym in Kochi or scroll through a Malayali fitness reel on Instagram—chances are, you’ll find someone under 25 leading the charge. This isn’t your dad’s version of exercise.
It’s the Gen Z version of fitness. They are writing a new rulebook. Fitness isn't confined to just working out. They are embracing their abilities and bodies through this. They’re not chasing six-packs—they're chasing strength, sanity, and self-love.
How Youth Are Redefining Health in 2025?
As shoppers take an increasingly all-encompassing approach to their well-being, one buzzword has been inconceivable to overlook: wellness. Enthusiastic to investigate how mental and physical well-being can bolster one another, exercisers are placing expanding significance on the idea of wellness.
The Worldwide Wellness Organized values the wellness economy at a whopping $6.3 trillion, having developed over 28% since 2019, and physical movement as of now contributes to a strong $1 trillion of that figure.
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Many have plunged their toes in, investigating the bunch of alternatives accessible. But in the past year, exercisers have joined the dabs to discover their groove with the control of wellness in the wellness space.
That’s the overpowering message being shared in 2024 wellness ‘wrapped’ information and the most recent industry reports. So what does that mean for administrators? And how can they tackle the discoveries to convey overwhelming part encounters that appear they get it—their inspirations—and tap into the mammoth wellness economy spend? Let’s burrow into the most recent worldwide findings.
Mental Health Is Part of the Plan
One thing that clearly sets this generation apart? They take mental health just as seriously as physical health. Morning meditation has become common in student hostels.
Many even start their day with 10 minutes of breathing or a quick journaling session. Apps like Headspace or Calm are quietly becoming as popular as Instagram in college circles. In some parts of Trivandrum, yoga on rooftops is a daily ritual. It’s not about being trendy.
Tradition Meets Today’s Grind
What do the youngsters do in Kerala now? They mix ancient tricks with New Era workouts. Take, for example, Kalpayattu. This is the traditional martial art of Kerala. And it looks like a revival as before.
In cities such as Kannur and Thrissur, weekends are packed with youth trying to improve flexibility and power. Some even pair it with CrossFit or calisthenics—Kalari stretches before deadlifts, anyone? It’s their way of staying fit while staying connected to their roots.
Food Habits Without the Guilt
Diets? Not really their thing. There is a huge shift in food habits. The Gen Z of Kerala prefer healthy and simple food now. Think red rice, green gram curries, and coconut-infused stir-fries—stuff our grandmothers made, but now with a fitness twist. In fact, some popular Malayali fitness vloggers often share plates full of:
- Steamed puttu with chana
- Jackfruit smoothies
- Homemade millet laddoos
What they’re saying is loud and clear: you don’t need foreign protein bars when you’ve got Kerala’s own superfoods.
Kerala’s Fitness Is Going Viral
This is the internet age. And GenZ is well versed with it. So it’s no surprise they’re turning fitness into something social and fun. They post:
Reels of 5 AM beach jogs in Kozhikode
- Time-lapse meal preps
- Workout challenges with cousins and hostel mates
Accounts like FitDulquer and GymWithAmmu have made fitness feel local and accessible. It’s less look at my abs and more join me for a stretch. Even WhatsApp groups now double as accountability buddies for fitness goals.
Nature Is Their Gym
Why pay for a treadmill when you can run on a beach? Young folks in Kerala are turning to the outdoors for their daily dose of movement. You’ll find them:
- Cycling through spice plantations in Idukki
- The Chembra Peak invites trekkers
- Visiting Alappuzha for Kayaking
Nature has become a spot for workout and fitness, apart from its scenic beauty.
Fitness Goes Smart
Fitness and tech? Perfect combo. Plenty of Gen Zers in Kerala are now tracking their steps, sleep, and heart rate. Smartwatches and wristbands are being used extensively. They’re watching:
- How many hours they sleep
- Whether they hit their step goals
- Calories burned during workouts
And they use apps like Fittr or HealthifyMe to get diet plans based on local Kerala meals. Even YouTube workouts by Malayali creators have loyal followings.
Real Bodies, Real Goals
Gone are the days of unrealistic body standards. This generation is focused on feeling fit, not looking flawless. They follow pages that show real bodies, not filtered ones. No more gym shaming. No more pressure to be skinny. Now, fitness has become a support system.
It is no more a competition now. It is a collective effort. Girls talk openly about their insecurities, or hormonal issues. Boys have started talking about their emotions and weaknesses, thus breaking the stereotypes.
- Workout, But Make It Social
- Fitness isn’t a solo mission anymore.
- There are:
- College dance-fitness clubs
- Evening Zumba in local parks
- Weekend cycling squads in Ernakulam suburbs
It’s a social hangout with a healthy twist. And during Onam or local fests, many groups even organize Kalari flash mobs or wellness walks. The idea is simple—move together, stay close, stay healthy.
Read Also: Traditional Maharashtrian Workouts Gain New Fans Over Gym Culture
Challenges Are Still Real
Amidst all this, some adversities still remain. Some towns still lack proper gyms. Organic food isn’t always affordable. And not everyone has the time or space for long workouts. And not surprisingly, the digital media sphere puts pressure at such places. Social media, especially, sets unrealistic standards. But most Gen Zers are dealing with it in smart ways:
- Sharing more honest content
- Using community parks and home workouts
- Supporting each other with kindness, not criticism
- What’s Changing Is Bigger Than Just Fitness?
Genz is doing much more than just staying healthy. They’re building a completely new relationship with health. It’s grounded in:
- Tradition
- Community
- mental clarity
- Sustainable life
- They are planning a healthy life ahead.
Final thoughts
The youngsters in Kerala show us that fitness does not need to be stiff, dull or out of reach. Whether it's Kalari class, a brain cup of Sulemani or sweaty hike in the hills - they get healthy on their own terms. And that makes it powerful. This is not just a fitness trend. This is a cultural change. And this happens here, in God's own country.
