Health and Fitness

Valued at approximately £5.5 billion in 2024, the UK’s health and fitness sector is thriving. Around 17% of the population holds a gym membership, with over 10 million active members according to PureGym’s 2024/25 report. Continued growth is being driven by a technological revolution and an increasingly healthconscious consumer base.

The trend is no longer just about aesthetics – it’s about longevity, vitality, and resilience. But beyond personal gains, this movement is delivering a powerful societal benefit.

Memberships creating muscles

Last year, the UK gym market revealed a growing polarisation between budget and premium offerings. While the average monthly fee for private gyms exceeded £47 (source: Christina Gough, Statista 2025), budget chains such as PureGym and Better continue to attract members with prices as low as £15.99. These accessible, no-frills options appeal to a wide audience seeking flexibility and affordability.

Meanwhile, the premium gym market is going from strength to strength, with a range of middle- to high-end clubs including Virgin Active, Nuffield Health and David Lloyd commanding monthly memberships between £60 and £150 – and luxury boutique brands such as Third Space and Equinox charging upwards of £200 per month. These clubs offer spa-like facilities, personalised wellness services and highly exclusive environments.

This widening gap reflects a market increasingly split between high-volume affordability and highmargin exclusivity, leaving fewer options in the middle ground, as suggested by Tagliaferro (2025). This trend underscores the need for operators and investors to position their offerings decisively at either end of the market spectrum, as mid-tier propositions often face challenges in standing out or maintaining a competitive edge.

Tech, trends and tailored wellness

In recent years, there’s been a significant shift in our approach to health, with consumers taking a more holistic view that blends physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Technology now plays a central role in this transformation. According to Pangarkar, over 52% of people in the UK owned wearable devices in 2024, reflecting a growing appetite for self-monitoring tools – notably, smart-watches such as the Apple watch and Garmin watch. From tracking sleep and stress to counting steps, these devices are empowering individuals to take greater control of their health. Meanwhile, AI-driven fitness apps are turning workouts into personalised wellness journeys, and the data they generate is informing scientific research and innovation in the health and fitness space.

Social sport with serious benefits

According to UK Active, 76% of gym members cited mental wellbeing as a key reason for joining a gym in 2025. Combined with the rise in social exercise, the benefits are profound.

In its highlights of key 2025 fitness trends, The Yorkshire Magazine noted the rise in popularity of low-impact workouts such as reformer Pilates – searches for which are up 50% year on year. And in 2024, the cycling and running app Strava saw a 59% global surge in running club participation, with over 135 million athletes across 190 countries. More than half of users made new friends through fitness groups—and nearly one in five Gen Z users found a date through running clubs. Meanwhile, padel tennis exploded in popularity, growing from just 50 courts in 2019 to over 710 by the end of 2024, with over 129,000 active players.

Beyond physical and wellbeing benefits, there is evidence to suggest that such socially engaging sports may also support brain health. For example, 2025 research from Age UK suggests that maintaining strong social ties and participating in meaningful group activities can help preserve cognitive function and reduce the risk of memory decline.

As these social trends continue to shape the fitness landscape, gym operators are increasingly diversifying their offerings to meet both the physical and mental wellbeing needs of their members.

Fitness as preventative medicine

Physical activity is emerging as one of the most effective tools in preventative healthcare. According to a 2025 report by UK Active, fitness facilities now contribute over £10.5 billion annually in secondary health value. That’s thanks to fewer chronic illnesses, reduced GP visits, and lower demand on mental health services. Sport England and Holden (2024) estimate this could save the NHS £540 million in GP appointments, and £780 million in mental health services, highlighting an intrinsic link between mental wellbeing and a flexing fitness industry.

Health and fitness is no longer just a pastime – it’s a powerful prescription for a healthier nation. From a morning walk to a pilates session or a padel match with friends, every movement matters. As the UK embraces a more active lifestyle, we’re not just transforming bodies – we’re strengthening communities, reducing pressure on the NHS, and building a healthier, happier nation.

The future of public health isn’t just in hospitals – it’s in our gyms, parks, studios, and sports halls.

Women’s football: more than a game

In the UK, the rise of women’s football is not just a sporting triumph, it’s a public health revolution. Since 2016, the number of registered female teams in England has more than doubled, according to Spond (2024). This growth is fuelling investment in better facilities, training, and even specialised medical protocols for female athletes, including menstrual health and injury prevention.