INDUSTRY VIEWS
LEADING THE CHANGE BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE, RESILIENT FITNESS SECTOR
The UK fitness and leisure sector stands at a crossroads. Faced with skills shortages, funding pressures and widening inequalities, we cannot afford to stand still. At The Fitness Group, we believe quality education is the key to building a stronger, more inclusive industry and meeting these challenges. Expanding access to accredited qualifications is crucial if we are to future-proof the workforce. Through initiatives like our partnership with Active Lincolnshire’s Skills Fund, we are helping to remove barriers to entry and support a more diverse and representative generation of fitness professionals. As Emma Tatlow, Chief Executive of Active Lincolnshire, commented: “By working together to invest in skills, we are creating new opportunities for individuals who might not have considered a future in fitness, and strengthening the sector for the long term.” Research from Sport England shows that just 4% of fitness professionals identify as from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, compared to 14% of the general population. These figures reflect a broader issue in physical activity engagement, where ethnic and religious minorities face systemic barriers, ranging from exclusionary policies to microaggressions and overt prejudice within sporting environments. To help address this gap, we are in the process of launching a CPD course on Tackling Ethnic and Religious Inequalities in Sport and Fitness, equipping professionals with the skills and cultural competence to work inclusively with people from all backgrounds. We also recognise that staying on the front foot is vital when it comes to fitness qualifications. As demand grows for specialisms like Pilates instruction and working with pre and post-natal women, we are committed to developing new qualifications and CPD pathways that ensure fitness professionals are equipped to serve rising demand. Recent launches include a course on Menstrual Cycle Awareness in Training which has received CIMSPA endorsement, with further developments underway, including a new course exploring the Gut Microbiome and Human Health. Supporting the health of the industry workforce itself is just as important. Our partnership with Myzone, aimed at promoting workplace wellbeing, reflects a wider commitment to embedding mental health support as a core part of professional development. There is no denying the challenges facing the fitness and leisure sector today. However, there is also a huge opportunity. By investing in people through education, inclusive practice and collaboration, we can unlock fitness and leisure’s full potential to strengthen communities, improve public health and drive sustainable growth. A stronger, more inclusive fitness industry will not happen by chance. It will be built by those who choose to innovate, act with integrity, and drive real impact. At The Fitness Group, these are the values we stand by, and we are proud to work alongside others who share our vision for a more diverse, inclusive and thus more resilient fitness sector.
We’ve become a one-stop shop for asset management, with a system that makes the whole process easier and more transparent for operators STEVEN DICK Co-Founder & Director, The Fitness Group Education
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STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2025
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