A poll of 2,000 UK adults found that 27% of Millennials and Gen Z say activity-led experiences help them meet new people, as young Brits increasingly ditch the pub for running clubs, hiking and open-water swimmingMartin Winter11:52, 31 Jul 2026Eight out of 10 young Brits now prefer to socialise through health-conscious activities rather than a traditional night on the town. A survey of 2,000 UK adults revealed that 27% of Millennials and Gen Z say activity-led experiences help them forge new connections.‌A quarter enjoy the sense of community these activities create, while a similar proportion (24%) added that they provide the perfect opportunity to discover new places.‌Three in 10 actively seek out chances to spend time outside several times a week. And popular social pursuits now include running and trail running (49%) and open-water swimming (28%).‌Others are getting involved in activities such as hiking (26%), surfing or diving (13%), and climbing (13%).The study was commissioned by Samsung to mark the launch of the Galaxy Watch Ultra2, designed to support outdoor adventures with health tracking and rugged durability.‌Annika Bizon from the tech firm said: "People are making more room for movement and adventure in their everyday lives." Bizon explained that, 87% of Gen Z are interested in taking on a new fitness or outdoor challenge in the next year.Social media is also helping drive the trend, with almost half (48%) being introduced to new activities, clubs and outdoor communities from these platforms.Additionally, 25% discovered a new hobby or interest through organised events and challenges, while 51% of Gen Z respondents have taken on a personal fitness or outdoor challenge in the past year.‌As outdoor pursuits become an ever more important part of social life, wearable technology is giving people the tools to prepare, track and recover with greater assurance.A quarter (24%) use a wearable device to set goals, while 39% regularly monitor their progress and 27% use one to keep tabs on their performance.‌Stress and energy insights (18%), sleep quality monitoring (23%) and heart rate tracking (23%) are among the features Gen Z value most when taking part in activities.For 93% of those who enjoy water sports and diving, a wearable capable of providing insights while they're in the water is considered essential. And 89% of adventurous young Brits want a watch that can stand up to tough outdoor conditions.Bizon added: "As more people join run clubs, discover new trails or take on personal fitness goals, they want technology that helps them feel prepared, stay motivated and understand their progress.Article continues below"Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is designed to support every step of that journey, helping users better understand their performance, track their progress and explore with confidence."