Fitness, Not Fads

by Guest Author (David T. Stevens)

December 23, 2025

What the next gen actually wants at events

We keep saying our events should be inclusive. Then we build programs around late nights, heavy pours and passive sitting. That is not inclusion. It is inertia. The next few generations are voting with their time, money and biology. They want to feel good and function better. If we want them in the room, we need to design for it.

I have been saying for years that the word “fitness” seems to solicit more of an action than the traditional F word. This is significantly changing, however. Movement is not a perk. It is the engine that drives energy, focus and connection. When we make movement easy and frictionless, people show up stronger for the content and for each other.

The data backs it up. The Gym Group’s Gen Z Fitness Pulse report reveals that 73% of Gen Z individuals exercise at least twice a week. 44% rank fitness as their first or second spending priority. 82% say building exercise into the workday boosts productivity. For most, workouts help mood more than mindfulness apps. Social connection is also a factor, with over half of respondents reporting that they make friends through fitness. Many say they find group fitness classes more effective for mental health than mindfulness apps.

Read More: Gen Z Has Entered the Building

If you combine that with the most recent Gallup report that U.S. drinking has dropped to 54% of adults, a modern low, and a majority now believes even moderate drinking is harmful for health. Among young adults, the drinking rate has fallen to 50%. Fewer people are drinking, and those who do are consuming it less frequently. Beliefs are shifting, and behaviors are following. Plan accordingly.

So what does an inclusive event look like for Millennials and Gen Z who are training more, spending on fitness and dialing back alcohol? Use the four M’s.

Mindfulness

Design quiet breaks that align with the natural circadian rhythm of the agenda. Offer guided breath resets between sessions from the main stage, not just a token meditation corner. Keep it simple, science-grounded and optional.

Movement

Bake it into the day. Ten-minute mobility micro sessions before morning content. Guided run or walk groups that start and end at the venue. Short stretch breaks before long keynotes. Put wayfinding on the floor so stairs beat elevators without a lecture. Perhaps even offer afternoon or post-lunch walk-and-talk sessions. You could also provide two guided routes from the venue, one run and one walk, with safe crossings and a map QR code.

Meals

Feed for performance. Aim for nutrient density, steady energy and real food. Serve protein-forward breakfasts, fiber-rich snacks and color on every plate. Offer a strong nonalcoholic beverage program with craft options that feel adult. Label for protein, fiber and plants. Reduce packaging and food waste to keep the wellness story aligned with sustainability. Add signage to communicate to participants the impact of what you are offering. Track waste, donate surplus and tell that story too.

Meaning

Engineer connection. Use small group problem-solving instead of passive panels. Add fitness-adjacent social time, such as a casual step challenge or a low-key partner workout that doubles as a networking opportunity. Swap one breakout for a social learning lab where attendees move, talk and apply. Celebrate effort, not personal records.

Do this, and you will meet the next gen where they already are. You will also get sharper attention, better moods and cleaner outcomes. That is inclusivity that outperforms wellness theatre.

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