MS Dhoni has urged Gen Z and Gen Alpha to prioritise physical fitness, take up sports early, and make time for exercise. He flagged sedentary lifestyles, changing food habits, and the importance of investing in health.MS Dhoni’s fitness message to Gen Z: Do it for yourself and your loved ones Between rushing to work, sitting at a desk for hours, and ordering something quick to eat, finding time for fitness can easily slip down the priority list.
Former India cricket captain MS Dhoni believes this is a habit younger generations need to rethink, and his advice is simple: make time for your health before you start feeling its absence.Speaking at an event alongside writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar, Dhoni highlighted how changing food habits, declining physical activity, and the growing popularity of fast food are shaping the lives of younger generations. He urged people to take up sports early, dedicate time to physical fitness and treat their health as a long-term investment.MODERN LIFESTYLE, DECLINING PHYSICAL ACTIVITYDhoni pointed out that India's traditional food habits developed when daily life involved considerably more physical labour.
However, while those eating patterns have continued, everyday physical activity has declined."Now the same food has been transferred to the newer generation; however, the physical activity has gone down drastically," he said. He illustrated the change through everyday routines, explaining how people increasingly rely on vehicles to commute and spend hours sitting at desks.Dhoni also flagged the growing popularity of fast food, sugary foods and fried foods, particularly among people who lead relatively inactive lives.
While acknowledging that a section of society has become increasingly fitness-conscious, he stressed the importance of reaching the wider population with the message of better health.best piece of advice for all age groups... school going kids, college students and working people. Dhoni doesn't speak much publicly, but when he does each word makes absolute sense https://t.co/EbR0WTBSsR— SwatKat (@swatic12) October 25, 2026WHY DHONI WANTS CHILDREN TO PLAY SPORTSDhoni urged parents to encourage children to participate in different sports from an early age.
According to him, children should explore different activities before deciding where their interests and abilities lie."Everybody won't become an athlete, but when you are above 30-35, you will realise that people who have played sports before or have been into fitness actually have a much better midlife," he said.The point, he suggested, is not to turn every child into a professional athlete but to help them develop habits that support long-term physical fitness.Maintaining strength becomes particularly important as people grow older and take on family responsibilities. Dhoni also highlighted how good health allows people to enjoy everyday moments, including playing with their children.TAKE AN HOUR OUT FOR YOUR HEALTHDhoni's advice extended beyond playing sports.
He urged people to dedicate an hour each day to physical activity and complement it with healthier eating habits."The most important thing is to invest in yourself. Take one hour out of 24 hours," he said.He also described sports as a way to develop qualities that extend beyond physical fitness.
Playing sports, he explained, teaches people how to handle failure, accept victory gracefully and recognise their shortcomings before working to overcome them.His larger message was that taking care of one's health is not simply a personal responsibility. It also matters to the people around us.Dhoni encouraged people to pick up a recreational sport and make physical activity a regular part of life, adding that even those who struggle to prioritise their own well-being should do it for their loved ones.- Ends