SECTOR IMPACT
Are We Creating Healthier Communities?
PARTICIPATION GROWTH VS POPULATION
MEMBERS INDEX
POPULATION INDEX
The continued growth of the UK tness market raises a fundamental question: is increasing participation translating into broader improvements in public health, or is growth concentrated within already active segments of the population? At a headline level, the data is encouraging. Key indicators across participation, utilisation and market structure all point to a sector that continues to expand. Gym membership has grown signi cantly faster than the overall population in recent years, increasing by over 20% since 2022 compared to minimal population growth. At the same time, rising utilisation, continued net site expansion and relatively low closure rates suggest a market that is both absorbing demand and scaling effectively. However, a closer examination reveals a more uneven picture. Participation growth is not evenly distributed across the population, with higher levels of engagement concentrated among more af uent, stable and already active groups. Many of the segments that under- index today including lower-income, rural and more transient populations remain underrepresented, despite representing a substantial share of the UK population. Public provision plays a critical role in addressing this imbalance. Public facilities continue to engage a broader and more diverse user base, supporting access across a wider range of communities. At
CHURN VS GROWTH COMPARISON
Openings
Closures
the same time, private operators are driving much of the overall growth in participation, particularly within commercially attractive segments. This creates a dual dynamic within the market. Participation is rising rapidly, but structural gaps in access and engagement persist. Ultimately, the extent to which the sector contributes to healthier communities will depend on its ability to extend beyond its current core audience and align future growth with wider health outcomes, rather than participation alone.
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STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2026
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