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Report
en_GB
The percentage of consumers visiting a private health or fitness club has risen from 22% in 2024 to 28% in…
UK
Leisure and Entertainment
simple
UK Health and Fitness Clubs Market Report 2025
"The sector continues to grow, driven by localised expansion. An increasing focus on community, luxury and all-round wellness can drive appeal."
The percentage of consumers visiting private health or fitness clubs has increased since 2024, signaling that the organic growth potential identified in 2024 is now being realised.
More gym users are utilising flexible fitness booking services, highlighting a growing demand for ultra-personalised and convenient fitness solutions that cater to individual workout and wellness goals.
Health and fitness clubs are evolving from functional workout spaces to integral lifestyle choices. Features like high-quality changing rooms and shower facilities are essential, and positioning gyms as spaces for personal time, especially for those in cramped or family living situations, can be a compelling selling point.
Nearly 30% of consumers who canceled their gym memberships cited affordability as the primary reason. To address this, brands must balance pricing sensitivity with efforts to engage and retain members by emphasising the value and benefits of club membership during every visit.
Beyond pricing adjustments, health and fitness clubs must prioritise member engagement and retention by consistently showcasing the value of their offerings, fostering interaction, and creating a sense of community to maintain loyalty.
Key Issues Covered in the Report
The value of the private health and fitness clubs sector and a forecast through to 2030, including growth opportunities across key industry segments
The economic, social and technological factors affecting the growth of the health and fitness market, along with insights into why consumers cancel memberships
Trended use of private health and fitness facilities and predictions of future growth in the sector
Insights into consumer visitation patterns at health and fitness clubs, including preferred visit methods (eg membership, free pass) and peak activity times
Key value drivers for consumers when choosing a private health and fitness club
Report Attributes
Details
Published Date
September 2025
Data Range
2019 – 2030
Measurement Metrics
Revenue in £
Country Focus
United Kingdom (UK)
Consumer Data
2,000 internet users aged 16+, June 2025
Number of Pages
52
Market Segmentation
Private Health and Fitness Clubs, Budget Health and Fitness Clubs, Premium Health and Fitness Clubs, Small Independent Health Clubs, Holistic Wellness Centres, Luxury Health and Fitness Clubs
Leading Companies
PureGym, The Gym Group, Anytime Fitness, David Lloyd, Virgin Active, Fitness First
Collapse All
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for UK health and fitness clubs
Opportunities
Upsell the aspirational lifestyle choice of premium fitness venues
Premium brands can extend into ‘lite’ propositions, to appeal to budget conscious consumer
Leverage the use of AI to drive personalisation and engagement
Focus on the rewarding upside of exercise to foster engagement
THE MARKET
Snapshot – market size and forecast
Market drivers
Despite improvement in consumer finances, consumers are still cautious
Graph 1: index of financial sentiment in the next year, 2016-25
Physical, mental and financial health are deeply interconnected
Graph 2: self-reported physical and mental health (NET), by financial situation, 2024
Tailored wellbeing will drive health and fitness clubs propositions
Graph 3: health priorities of British consumers, 2025
Highlight low impact exercise options alongside strength and conditioning
Graph 4: exercise participation, by type of activity, 2022-25
The convergence of tech and health will continue to drive personalised insights for health club members
Graph 5: trust and privacy in health data, 2025
Market size and forecast
Revenues set to reach record highs in 2025, with sustained growth through 2030
Graph 6: market forecast for health and fitness clubs, 2019-30
Larger footprints in underserved areas and diversification of health offerings will drive health and fitness club revenues
Market segmentation
Budget segment continues to see further growth
Graph 7: estimated number of sites held by budget gym operators, by year, 2020-25
Average spend nears £100 for Virgin Active members
Graph 8: average spend per transaction by users of key private health clubs, 2025
THE CONSUMER
Usage and membership of health and fitness clubs
Jump in those visiting private gyms in past 12 months
Graph 9: use of private health and fitness facilities in the last 12 months, 2024-25
Gyms should actively market to the pub goer
Organic growth can extend within existing gym visiting demographics
Budget offerings maintain share, but more premium spaces gain traction
Graph 10: types of private health and fitness club(s) visited in the last 12 months, 2024-25
Gym types can appeak to consumers who want different experiences for their exercise needs
Budget the key type of fitness club for younger people
Opportunities for premium brands to diversify into smaller lite spaces
Gym goers are increasingly looking for flexible options
Graph 11: ways of accessing a private health and fitness club, 2024-25
Gen Z are driving flexible access services
Timing of gym and health club visiting
Weekend mornings the most popular time for gym visiting
Tap into off peak with special discounts and dynamic, flexible pricing
Graph 12: time and day of private health and fitness club visitation, NET, 2025
FlexiGym Now service could leverage dynamic pricing and tap into spontaneity
Factors most important in choosing a health and fitness club
Promote the effortless start to the day with your facilities
Graph 13: factors most important for consumers in a health and fitness club, 2025
Differences in younger males and females priorities with their ‘must-have’ gym features
Lean into community to push engagement
Graph 14: factors most important for consumers in a health and fitness club, 2025
Promote gyms as a rewarding rather than functional experience
Swimming pools hold appeal for older consumers
Cancellation of gym memberships
Focus on the emotional pull of premium offers to drive trading up
Graph 15: reasons for cancelling gym memberships, 2025
Women face greater cost pressures – help support their lifestyle with tailored interventions
Gen Z are price sensitive
INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Competitive strategies
Budget operators focus on key strategic sites to make gym going more convenient
AI-enhanced gym equipment aims to enhance member experience
David Lloyd plans ‘Enhanced Club’ with a focus on luxury health and wellness
Boutique operator Third Space eyes footprint in high-end central spaces
Virgin Active renovates to innovate and pushes social upside of gym going
Group fitness sessions a must-have for over four in 10
Brands court the apprehensive and the competitive gym goer
Advertising and marketing activity
Gym Group leads advertising spend in 2024
Graph 16: total ATL, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on top five private health and fitness clubs, 2024
All hours access appeals to health and fitness club visitors
Gym Group highlights premium equipment for budget price
APPENDIX
Market definition
The market
Forecast methodology
Forecast methodology – fan chart
Market forecast and prediction intervals (value)
Snoop SpendMapper methodology
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
Abbreviations
Abbreviations and terms
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