In Russia, participation in sports runs high. A majority of adults engage in some form of athletic activity, with around six in ten exercising several times a week and a little over a tenth spending only a minimal amount of time on fitness. The figures come from a joint study conducted by Mediacom.Expert and Surveyolog.ru and were reviewed by socialbites.ca, highlighting the national engagement level in sport across the country.
Television remains a popular medium for following sports. About 86 percent of Russians watch sports programs, with nearly one in five watching constantly, almost half tuning in occasionally, and a little more than one in five watching only rarely. This indicates that sports broadcasting continues to hold a strong audience share on traditional screens.
When it comes to favorite sports, swimming leads the chart at around 40 percent of viewers, followed closely by football at 32 percent and figure skating at 30 percent. Volleyball, track and field, biathlon, and cross-country skiing each attract about a quarter of respondents, while hockey appeals to a bit less than a quarter of the population. Rhythmic gymnastics and artistic gymnastics also draw substantial interest, with around 23 and 21 percent respectively, and basketball sits at 18 percent in popularity.
Interest in athletic idols and clubs is evident, with more than one in three Russians admitting admiration for individual athletes and about one in five acknowledging support for sports teams. These attitudes reflect a broader national pride in sport and its role in public life.
Overall, a clear majority of the population views Russia as a strong sports nation, underscoring the perceived impact and reach of athletics within the country. This sentiment aligns with the active consumer base that remains engaged with sports gear and apparel across various channels.
Among those who bought sportswear in the previous year, nearly half of respondents indicated ongoing participation in sports, implying a lifestyle habit that blends recreation with apparel purchases. The survey shows a link between purchasing behavior and ongoing activity, with a sizable portion shopping for gear as part of a regular fitness routine.
The survey reveals diverse interests, with fitness taking the lead at 42 percent, swimming at 34 percent, and cycling at 29 percent. Strength training, yoga and pilates, gymnastics, and football also attract notable interest, followed by running, table tennis, and volleyball as steady favorites. These patterns illustrate a broad spectrum of activities that resonate with different demographics across the country.
Beyond sport itself, fashion and branding play a significant role in everyday life. A majority of consumers use sportswear as a lifestyle statement rather than strictly for exercise, and a sizable portion are willing to pay a premium for trusted brands. This demonstrates how branded athletic wear has become a cultural staple, bridging performance with daily styling.
Attitudes toward foreign brands vary, with the majority remaining neutral about their absence from domestic shopping venues, while a minority holds negative opinions or maintains a positive stance about this shift. The willingness to adapt to changes in store availability is evident among shoppers who continue to pursue their favorite brands through other channels.
Despite the temporary closures of flagship stores, online shopping remains robust for sportswear. A large share of respondents prefers online retailers, and many also turn to marketplace platforms for purchases. Some consumers engage in resale sites or seek the services of shopping assistants to secure what they want, illustrating a multifaceted approach to obtaining athletic gear.
Simultaneously, offline shopping shows resilience. A notable portion continues to buy sportswear at specialized sports equipment hypermarkets, while others favor traditional shopping malls or discount centers. There is a strong preference for domestic brands among shoppers, underscoring national loyalty and support for homegrown products.
Typical shopping budgets vary, with a majority spending up to 5,000 rubles in a single shopping session. A meaningful minority spends less than 2,000 rubles, while others invest between 5,000 and 10,000 rubles. A smaller share allocates more than 15,000 rubles per purchase, reflecting a range of purchase power and consumer profiles across the market.
In sum, the data point to a growing and evolving sports market in Russia, marked by strong participation, broad interest across disciplines, and a resilient consumer base for both athletic apparel and related gear. This snapshot captures the dynamics of sports culture and the commercial ecosystem that supports it, illustrating how citizens engage with sport as part of daily life and national identity.