Swiss study finds outdoor sports dominate but indoor fitness gains ground among 15,000 surveyed
Swiss officials on Tuesday presented the “Sport Switzerland 2026” study in Bern, revealing that outdoor activities remain the most popular forms of exercise in the country, with hiking, cycling, swimming, skiing and jogging leading participation. The survey, conducted every six years by the Federal Office of Sport and the defense ministry, polled around 15,000 people and found that 52 percent of respondents consider themselves very active, while 17 percent report no physical activity at all .
The study showed minimal change in activity levels since 2020, following a sharp rise in prior years. While outdoor sports dominate, indoor activities have gained ground: 20 percent of participants now train at fitness centers, and 16 percent practice yoga. Health, fitness, and the experience of nature were cited as primary motivations for engagement .
Socioeconomic factors play a significant role in participation. Higher income and education levels correlate with increased sports activity, according to the Federal Office of Sport. The study also noted gender and age disparities: men are slightly more active than women, particularly in younger age groups, though activity levels converge after age 55. The most active demographics are those aged 15–24 and 65–74, while the least active are between 35 and 54 .
Inactivity is more prevalent among women, older individuals, French- and Italian-speaking Swiss, foreigners residing in Switzerland, those with lower education or income, homemakers, and agricultural workers. The “helvetische Fünfkampf” — the traditional Swiss pentathlon of hiking, cycling, swimming, skiing, and jogging — remains the most popular, though its dominance has slightly declined since 2020 .
The study underscores Switzerland’s position as one of Europe’s most active nations, with the Federal Office of Sport emphasizing the stability of participation rates despite shifting preferences toward indoor fitness .
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