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Cult uncovers India’s 2025 fitness rhythm: Flexibility rules
BENGALURU: Forget Monday motivation – in 2025, it was Tuesdays that ruled the gym floor. According to cult’s data from around 1 million users, fitness in India became less about fixed schedules and more about fitting workouts around life.
Contrary to popular belief, Mondays weren’t the busiest day. Instead, gyms and studios buzzed on Tuesdays, especially between 6 pm and 8 pm. Group sessions such as dance and strength training gained traction, while machine-led workouts remained popular.
Flexibility proved key. Users with adaptable schedules completed more workouts over the year than those sticking to fixed slots, showing that fitting exercise around life beats forcing life around exercise. About 37 per cent of members consistently worked out three to four times a week, highlighting that steady commitment trumped occasional intensity.
Working out with a buddy also became a winning formula. Attendance jumped 26 per cent when members trained together, proving that fitness is more fun and more sustainable, when shared.
Different generations moved in their own ways. Gen Z kept it simple with gym workouts, Millennials split time between the gym and group classes, while Gen X gravitated towards structured, instructor-led sessions such as Dance Fitness and HRX strength training. Women made up 52 per cent of group class members, embracing formats that offered community energy and camaraderie. Overall, group exercise accounted for over 30 per cent of all workouts in 2025. Interestingly, members over 30 completed 10 per cent more sessions than younger users, challenging the idea that fitness peaks in your twenties.
Workout timings were split almost evenly between mornings (48.7 per cent) and evenings (51.3 per cent). The busiest windows were 7–9 am and 6–8 pm, showing how Indians are syncing fitness with work-life rhythms. While younger users often postponed workouts until after office hours, Gen X were already ticking off their sessions before the day even began.
Regionally, the NCR led in consistency, followed closely by Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Gym workouts showed the highest repeat rates, while badminton and swimming were particularly popular in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Gurgaon. Impressively, 15 members worked out every single day of the year without missing a session, and the oldest active member at 55 still completed over 100 classes, proving that age is just a number when it comes to staying in motion.
In short, 2025 was the year India found its own rhythm – flexible, social, and tuned to life’s beats.
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Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
