2024: A year of transformation in Indian fitness

Last update:December 26, 2024, 2:52 PM IST

In 2024, India’s fitness landscape has shifted towards a more holistic, longevity-focused approach

India’s fitness landscape has undergone a significant transformation in 2024, with changing consumer preferences reshaping the way people approach their health and fitness journeys. A greater focus on functional fitness, wearable technology and strength training has emerged, marking a clear departure from traditional fitness trends. Industry experts provide valuable insight into how these trends have evolved over the year.

A transition from vanity to longevity

Jitendra Chouksey, Founder and CEO, Fittr, highlights the growing distinction between getting fitter and getting healthier. “Getting fitter and getting healthier are two different things, and with wearable technology, people can see a unitary effect of getting fitter on getting healthier,” he says. Chouksey points out that there has been a noticeable change in consumer behavior, especially among the middle class. -old and older people, from focusing on vanity to prioritizing longevity The use of wearable technology has played a crucial role in this shift, giving people a deeper understanding of how their fitness efforts affect their overall health “The numbers are it’s still early and we still have a long way to go,” he adds, acknowledging that while the trend is promising, there is still a lot to achieve. mainstream adoption.

Strength training is gaining popularity

Dr. Rajan Kochar, a Stanford-trained gastroenterologist and renowned fitness and nutrition expert, notes that 2024 was a pivotal year in reshaping the Indian fitness narrative. “I’ve seen the narrative around fitness and nutrition change. “People are paying more attention to strength training and moving away from the traditional idea of equating ‘exercise’ with just cardio,” he says. This shift in focus has been supported by growing research highlighting the benefits of strength training, not only for fat loss and muscle growth, but also for overall health, according to Dr. Kochar, weight training is now recognized as an exercise modality just as, if not more, important than cardio.

Fittr, the fitness platform founded by Jitendra Chouksey, has played a significant role in changing this narrative by helping people adopt strength training as a key component of their fitness routines. The growing awareness of the importance of muscle-building exercise reflects a wider shift in the fitness mindset in India.

Wearable technology: from heart rate to holistic health metrics

One of the most significant changes in 2024 was the increasing use of wearable technology. Dr. Kochar explains that people are now moving beyond basic heart rate and step counts. “People are now using wearables more than ever and are paying attention to their fitness metrics – they’re not just looking at heart rate and steps, they’re looking at more sophisticated and meaningful data points, including resting heart rate, heart rate variability, sleep quality and VO2 max,” he shares. This shift to more comprehensive health data indicates a growing desire to understand the full picture of physical well-being.

The wearable technology market is experiencing rapid growth, with numerous companies competing to create the best devices. Dr. Kochar, who has personally tested several devices, points to the growing sophistication and promise of wearables. “Fittr’s HART ring is one such wearable with a lot of promise,” he says, suggesting that this new wave of technology is poised to provide even more valuable information on personal health.

Emphasis on longevity

Both Chouksey and Dr. Kochar points to the growing importance of longevity in today’s fitness culture. Dr. Kochar is especially encouraged by the rise in health awareness in a world that is often fast-paced and stressful. “There is a massive focus on longevity and I feel that this is driving this conscious effort by the masses to be ‘fit’ and ‘healthy.’ I’m glad to see people focusing on their health in today’s busy world,” he says. It believes that by improving lifestyle habits, especially diet and exercise, people can prevent major diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. — conditions that are closely related to poor lifestyle choices.

In 2024, India’s fitness landscape has shifted towards a more holistic, longevity-focused approach. The fusion of strength training, wearable technology and a shift in mindset from vanity to health is changing the way people view fitness and wellness. Although the numbers are still in the early stages, the growing trend towards a healthier and more informed fitness culture suggests a positive future for the fitness industry in India.