Fitness Meets Fun: Top 5 trendy sports Indians are playing

Played on a 10 × 10 m enclosed court with a net and glass/fence walls, padel is a combination between squash and tennis. 

A strong, perforated racquet and a lightweight, tennis-like ball are used in the game.

Key Features: 

• The ball lands in a service box when you serve diagonally, just like in tennis.

• Playing with walls: If the ball bounces and hits the glass, play continues (like squash).

• The opponent scores a point if it bounces and then hits the fence.

Why it's popular: 

• Entertaining and fast-paced

• Expanding worldwide, particularly in Asia, Europe, and now the US

• Official competitions with rising levels of difficulty

• The game is more social and less physically taxing because it is primarily played in doubles.

• Rapid expansion of courts throughout India and the availability of equipment at stores like Decathlon.

2. Pickleball

The racquet sport of pickleball, which was created in the United States in 1965, is becoming more and more well-liked worldwide, especially in India.

Legends like Agassi, Graf, McEnroe, and Sharapova are playing it because it's simple to learn and appropriate for players of all ages. It's played on a tiny 13.5 by 6 m court with an underarm serve.

Key Features:

• Makes use of a perforated plastic ball and a strong paddle.

• Well-known for its entertaining, unique "plonk" sound

• Social and competitive

• Growing interest in India is reflected in new courts, such as one that just opened in Kolkata.

Why it’s popular: 

•  it's simple to learn and appropriate for players of all ages

• Social, fun, and not too physically demanding
  
  

• Gaining popularity in housing societies, clubs, and recreational centers

3. Climbing & Bouldering: Fitness with a Challenge

Climbing and bouldering have become increasingly popular in India since their debut at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. 

As more people look for solo or small-group exercise pursuits, these sports—once only practiced by mountaineers—are increasingly flourishing in urban climbing gyms.

Key Features:

• They don't only use upper body strength, despite popular notion.

• Using your entire body—legs, core, and coordination—is the key to success.

• Try the gym's overhang area for a Spider-Man-style rush.

Why it’s popular:

•  Metro areas have easy access to urban climbing gyms.

• Excellent for workouts in pairs or alone.

• Excellent for workouts in pairs or alone.

• blends puzzle-solving and physical abilities

• Simple and inexpensive to begin

4. Esports: India’s Digital Arena

In India, esport—competitive video gaming—has taken off, with an increasing number of followers, streamers, and professional players. 

Popular games with large audiences include FIFA, Valorant, and BGMI.

Key Features:

• The Indian government has acknowledged it as a sport, giving the sector more legitimacy.

• Increasing numbers of content producers, streamers, casters, and professional gamers.

• Regular national leagues, worldwide qualifications, and online and offline competitions.

• Robust fan bases and online communities that participate regularly on sites like Discord, Twitch, and YouTube.

Why it's popular:

• Acknowledged by the Indian government as a sport

• Large prize pools and chances for sponsorship

• Youth from all socioeconomic backgrounds can access it.

5. MMA & Functional Fitness Sports: Train Like a Fighter

Functional fitness sports like CrossFit and calisthenics, as well as mixed martial arts (MMA), are gaining popularity as lifestyle choices. 

These sports combine strength training, mental discipline, and rigorous physical training.

Key Features: 

• combines judo, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, boxing, and wrestling to create a full fighting sport.

• Perfect for full-body conditioning, it requires strength, speed, endurance, and mental tenacity.

• Indian fighters are given a worldwide platform through events such as Matrix Fight Night (MFN).

• Well-liked by both sexes for hands-on self-defense instruction.

Why it's popular:

• Growth of fitness influencers and combat gyms

• Indian youth are inspired by the UFC and worldwide fight leagues.

• seen as a route to self-defense and fitness