The benefits of regular exercise in promoting overall health and preventing major diseases like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are well known. It’s no surprise, then, that long-distance running and other fitness activities are becoming more popular. Parks and running tracks are full of people in workout gear, often wearing fitness trackers. Online platforms are flooded with exercise videos. Earlier this year, data showed that gym memberships in the UK reached a record 11.5 million. About 16.9% of Britons aged 16 and over now belong to a gym—one of the highest rates in Europe.
Young people, especially those from Generation Z, are driving this trend. Many in this group are embracing fitness as a part of their lifestyle. New research from the world’s largest cancer conference in Chicago has shown they may be on the right track. A major international trial studied cancer patients who followed a structured exercise program with the help of a personal trainer. Their outcomes were compared with patients who only received general health advice.
The findings were significant. Exercise proved to be as effective as medication—without the side effects—in preventing colon cancer from returning. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director of NHS England, called the results “really exciting.” Experts expect this research will influence treatment guidelines around the world, including in the UK, where interest in fitness is growing.
However, there is a different side to the story. Despite this fitness trend, Britain also faces a major public health crisis. Many people are unwell, overweight, and inactive. These issues are not just due to an ageing population. Mental health problems—especially among children and teenagers—are also on the rise. Many link this to increased smartphone use.
Which version of Britain’s fitness reality is more accurate depends on which group you’re looking at. Government data shows that young adults aged 16 to 24 are the most active. But the gap isn’t just about age—it’s also about income and class. People with professional or managerial jobs are more likely to exercise regularly than those in manual work or the long-term unemployed. As with other health markers—like smoking or obesity—wealth and education play a big role. Richer people tend to be healthier.
There is hope that Generation Z, with its focus on fitness, might challenge these patterns. Some argue that working out is now more popular among young people than drinking at pubs, which could make staying fit more accessible. Still, it’s too early to say if this trend will last. Some gym-goers admit that their fitness habits are partly driven by stress and the pressure to succeed.
As the government prepares its 10-year plan for the NHS, there is a chance to act. The new strategy is expected to focus on prevention. That means encouraging physical activity more broadly and making sure its benefits are widely shared. The cancer study adds to the growing proof that exercise is a powerful tool for health. But public health policy must also consider the risks—like unhealthy body image and obsessive exercise. A balanced approach should aim to boost the positives of fitness culture while reducing its downsides.
