UK Gyms Make Progress

The UK fitness market is on an upward trajectory.

Current Trends

A report from Leisure DB indicates that the fitness industry hit a record £5.9 billion between Q2 2023 and Q1 2024, largely driven by an increase in private gyms and memberships.

• Number of Clubs:
  
  
• Increased by 0.2% to approximately 7,000+.
  
  
• Memberships:
  
  
• Rose by 4.1% to a record high of about 10.7 million.
  
  
• Penetration Rate:
  
  
• Climbed by 3%, with roughly 15.9% of the UK population now belonging to a gym.
  
  

These figures, which surpass pre-pandemic levels (excluding the number of clubs), indicate a strong market with potential for further growth.

High-Value, Low-Price Gyms

Brands like PureGym, SLM (Everyone Active), and JD Gyms each added ten or more locations over the past year.

This expansion is fueled by consumer demand for affordable yet high-quality fitness options.

• Market Share:
  
  
• Budget brands make up 30% of clubs and over 60% of memberships and market value.
  
  
• Leading operators include PureGym (379 sites), The Gym Group (234 sites), Anytime Fitness (190 sites), and JD Gyms (89 sites), all aiming for further expansion in the UK.
  
  

Premium Gyms Also Growing

While 4.5% of the UK population opts for low-cost gyms, premium fitness centers are also seeing growth.

An increasing focus on holistic health and premium amenities has boosted memberships for David Lloyd (102 sites) and Third Space (12 sites), highlighting a divided market.

Big-box gyms like Virgin Active are enhancing engagement by emphasizing social wellness.

The private fitness sector is thriving, offering value across various price points and driving industry-wide growth.

However, with public services still lagging and a significant portion of the UK population remaining inactive, a collaborative approach is necessary to fully realize the sector's potential.

Source: welltodoglobal

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