The fitness industry in the UK is flexing its muscles, contributing an impressive £5.9 billion to the economy – a 9.7% increase on 2023.
With over 7,000 gyms across the country, there are 10.7 million members hitting the gym regularly (Source: Leisure DB State of the UK Fitness Industry Report 2024). PureGym’s Fitness Report for 2023/24 reflects this trend – revealing that 24% of the population have increased their spending on exercise within the last year. In fact, as much as 16% of the population now hold gym memberships, up by 2% from last year.
Private sector
In the year leading up to March 2024, the private health club sector saw both gains and losses. While there was a net decrease of nine clubs, with 120 new openings and 129 closures (mostly independent gyms), memberships increased by 5.1% to 7.33 million. In March, there were 4,513 private health clubs in the UK, with 4.5% of the UK population opting for budget-friendly, lowcost gyms (Source: Leisure DB’s Report). PureGym has added 34 new locations since March 2023, solidifying its position as the leading operator in the UK, but other key operators include The Gym Group, Anytime Fitness, Nuffield Fitness & Wellbeing, David Lloyd Club, Snap Fitness, JD Gyms, Bannatyne, Sports Direct Fitness and énergie Fitness.
Public sector
Public sector gyms have seen similar trends, and although the total number of gyms fell from 2,538
to 2,496 (a net loss of 43) – memberships still rose by 1.9% to a respectable 3.36 million. The majority of public sector gyms (46%) are managed by a trust, with GLL being the largest with 195 facilities. Educational establishments run 14% while leisure management contractors operate 9%.
Across the UK, health and fitness clubs are catering to the diverse needs of modern fitness enthusiasts. Membership pricing can vary dramatically from nofrills budget gyms offering essential workout spaces, mid-market gyms with additional classes and personal training options – to premium and boutique gyms that deliver luxury experiences with amenities such as rain showers, recovery ice baths, saunas, on-site therapists and more. There really is a gym for everyone.
According to Savills UK Leisure Spotlight 2024, the positive growth in the health & fitness sector is fuelling demand for expansion – especially in out-of-town retail locations, with an additional 45 new gym openings in 2023. However a slowdown in openings across retail and shopping parks is forecast, with shorter void periods and the resulting rising rents make opportunities more scarce.
Established health & fitness clubs rarely hit the market, so when Savills recently offered four Roko Health & Fitness clubs for sale – it was a standout opportunity. Located in York, Nottingham, Gillingham and Chiswick, the portfolio of high-quality, purpose-built assets presented a chance for either a new brand to enter the market, or an established one to strengthen their presence in a promising market. Three of the sites were being offered on long leases in excess of 100 years,
with Chiswick having 18 years unexpired. The four well-presented health & fitness clubs, ranging in size from 26,000 sq ft to 43,000 sq ft, were available individually or together as a portfolio, with a combined guide price of £8.2 million. The level of interest was high and the final bids were above the guide price.
Beyond the traditional fitness offerings, new trends are continuing to evolve. Padel tennis, currently one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, is booming in the European health & fitness market. Savills UK Leisure Spotlight 2024 noted a staggering 60-fold increase in players since 2018, with the Lawn Tennis Association estimating 175,000 active players in the UK. However, the number of facilities in the UK still lags behind other European countries, with only 280 courts compared to Spain’s 4,000 – although 130 new courts were built in the last year.
All in all, the sector is not just thriving, it’s setting the stage for an even healthier and fitter nation.