[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]All around the world, people strive to be healthy and fit. And just as every country is diverse, so are the ways its inhabitants work towards these goals. Shanghai's activities, philosophies, and government efforts are entirely different from those in Scandinavia or Australia. With so much variety, there are endless lessons to learn from the ways other cultures pursue health and fitness.
By exploring how cultures across the globe approach physical activity, we gain a deeper understanding of wellness and uncover new ways to incorporate movement into our lives. Here are some of the ways people put the pursuit of health into practice.
Fitness Culture Around the World
Prioritizing active transportation
One promising way to combat a sedentary lifestyle is to forgo buses and cars and try walking or cycling instead. A
review of 170 studies published in
Endocrine Reviews found lower rates of
obesity and
diabetes in cities where walking and
cycling are safe and convenient. Some countries are experiencing these benefits firsthand.
In Kigali, Rwanda,
car-free days occur twice a month, closing off roads to vehicular traffic, so residents can walk, cycle and participate in group exercise activities. People benefit from more accessible active transportation but also become more aware of the benefits of physical activity in general. What's more,
air quality has improved, which has led to even greater health benefits. Since car-free days are so successful in Kigali, the government has established permanent car-free zones and hopes to introduce public bicycles soon.
In Shanghai, China, cycling is very popular due to an urban cycling strategy that includes bike-sharing. As in Kigali, this surge in cycling has reduced air pollutants and
is estimated to prevent many premature deaths each year.
Walking or cycling is a fantastic way to increase your daily activity.
Research shows that choosing active transportation can
lower your risk of cancer,
cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality and improve psychological well-being. Advocating for more accessible ways to get around your city or neighborhood will benefit your life and your community's health.
Movement as part of daily life
Scandinavian countries are the happiest in the world, according to the
2025 World Happiness Report. One of the most significant differences between countries like Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Norway, all of which take top spots in the report, and the United States is their proactive approach to health.
Physical activity, especially the kind that
gets you out in nature, is deeply ingrained in Scandinavian culture and is
considered essential for a high quality of life. "
Friluftsliv," meaning "free air life," is a centuries-old lifestyle philosophy for Scandinavians that promotes freedom and spiritual connection with the natural world.
As a cultural value, it means people naturally choose to walk or bike for transportation and seek outdoor recreation at every age. In fact, getting active outdoors in every season is part of the Nordic identity, and the people intuitively know that doing so brings them physical and mental benefits.
Good health is synonymous with the Mediterranean region, and though it's most known for its nutritious diet, more recently
researchers are noting the entire lifestyle of this culture contributes to longevity and vitality. Countries in this region prize moving as part of daily life.
Walking for transportation, gardening and active community events are integral parts of the culture.
Movement is
part of socializing with dances and traditional games favored over structured exercise routines. People here see exercise as a celebration of life rather than an obligation, which means they're more likely to do it regularly. With joy and fun being the ultimate goal of movement in the Mediterranean, it's no wonder that exercise is part of people's lives every day.
Encouraging exercise at work
Sedentary jobs are one of the
biggest contributors to the decline of physical activity. Countries that include exercise as part of a typical workday have managed to avoid the consequences of days spent
sitting in place.
For instance, Vietnam and China have a long standing tradition of group calisthenics before the work day begins. People here inherently know that when they get active, they are more productive and healthy.
In Japan, where efficiency and productivity are highly valued, "kaizen," which means "continuous improvement," is a part of their lifestyle. If a practice improves efficiency, then it becomes a standard practice. This is why Japanese companies often include mandatory exercise sessions called “Rajio taiso," which means radio calisthenics—broadcasts of exercise music and instructions done at work as a group.
Supporting activity for all ages
One of the best ways to improve health and quality of life is by
supporting activity throughout the entire lifespan. Active kids are
less likely to develop chronic diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, and
have better self-esteem, grades, mental health and motor skills.
Active seniors stave off
dementia and
bone and muscle loss, and have
less risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer, better
mental health and
cognition, live more independently and have a better quality of life and wellbeing.
Returning to Scandinavia, children are encouraged to
spend time in nature and be physically active outdoors every day. Denmark and Norway have an educational approach called "
udeskole" where kids learn outdoors,
connecting with nature and making movement part of the learning experience. Infrastructure in these countries also supports and promotes safe active transportation to school, so kids can walk or cycle independently. Most kids in Scandinavian countries also
participate in sports from a young age, with plenty of government subsidies and support available for all.
Seniors are taken care of in Scandinavian countries as well, with policies and health services promoting functional ability and independent living. One adorably named initiative is "chatty
benches" in Gothenburg, Sweden, that welcome seniors to walk, then sit and chat with one another to combat loneliness and boost social activity. Finland has strength and balance programs for
older adults that help them perform daily activities and stay independent.
In some countries, older adults are naturally active as a part of their culture. Seniors in the Mediterranean region naturally get moving through daily activities like
gardening, walking, running errands and dancing at social events. Likewise, in Asian countries like China,
older people have long participated in
low-impact exercises like Yangko dance, Tai Chi and Qigong.
Adopting Cultural Fitness Lessons in Your Life
Hopefully you've been inspired by the different ways people all over the globe get moving. If you want to start incorporating some of these ideas into your own life, here are the takeaways:
- Walk or cycle to work or school to cut your risk of disease, boost mental health and help combat air pollution.
- Find ways to get active outdoors in all seasons to connect to nature and keep you motivated throughout the year.
- Try active hobbies like gardening and dance, which center exercise as part of your daily activities rather than keeping them separate.
- Get active at work and advocate for more ways to move during the workday to interrupt the damaging pattern of sedentary life.
- Get your kids involved in physical activity from a young age with active transportation, sports and connecting with nature. Advocate for more movement in schools and communities.
Help create spaces for older adults to get active, and if you're a part of this group, find ways to work fitness into your social life and daily activities.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="184279" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1745961977395{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/protein-candy-chewy-candies-classic-fruit"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="184278" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1745961990484{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/legendary-foods-protein-pastry-smores"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="184276" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1745962003910{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/cure-hydration-hydrating-electrolyte-drink-mix-topical-variety-pack"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
