The U.K.’s fitness industry is booming, with total gym memberships reaching 10.7 million, up 4% from 2021. The market value has also increased to £5.9 billion, marking an all-time high. The latest report from Leisure DB reveals that the health and fitness industry in the U.K. is thriving, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and showing strong growth.
PureGym and GLL are leading the way as the U.K.’s top private and public gym operators, with PureGym planning to expand to 400 clubs in the U.K. over the next 12 months. The Gym Group is not far behind, adding four new clubs for a total of 234 sites.
The report also highlights the shift in the market towards high-value, low-price (HVLP) gyms, with only 37.5% of new club openings being low-cost compared to 55% in the previous year. This trend is not dampening the spirits of leading gym brands, as they continue to focus on making fitness more accessible for all.
Franchise operators like Anytime Fitness, Energie Fitness, and Snap Fitness are also seeing strong interest and growth, with combined membership levels remaining steady.
Overall, the U.K.’s fitness industry is filled with potential, with room for both big-box gyms and HVLP operators to thrive. The report’s findings paint a positive picture for the future of the industry, indicating continued growth and opportunities for expansion.