INDUSTRY VIEW
MATTHEW PENGELLY • MATRIX
Designing tness for the future: performance, longevity, and inclusion
T he tness landscape is undergoing a decisive shift. For Matrix, the focus is no longer just on how facilities look, but how they perform over time and who they truly serve.
that remain relevant as user needs evolve. This includes durable, recon gurable equipment, but also environments that are inclusive by design, welcoming across age, ability, and training intent. Clear navigation, supportive technology, and non- intimidating layouts all contribute to improved engagement and retention. Globally, the most future-ready facilities are drawing in uence from hospitality, residential living, and healthcare. Comfort, community, and wellbeing are now as important as performance metrics. This convergence is shaping spaces that feel less transactional and more experiential, encouraging consistent use and deeper connection. “Operators are moving away from rigid layouts toward flexible zones that can support multiple.” From a commercial perspective, smarter equipment choices directly impact utilisation and ROI. Versatile, connected solutions allow operators to maximise space, deliver varied programming, and adapt quickly to trends like reformer training or tness racing without constant reinvestment. Looking ahead, Matrix is focused on creating adaptable ecosystems that support these shifts. By integrating thoughtful design, advanced engineering, and insights from adjacent sectors, we are helping operators build facilities that are inclusive, resilient, and built for the long term, meeting the demands of today’s users while anticipating those of tomorrow. Matthew Pengelly, Managing Director, Matrix
Today’s facilities are being reshaped for a broader, more nuanced audience. Alongside performance-driven users, operators are designing for beginners, older adults, and those in uenced by the rise of GLP-1 medications, who are entering gyms with different goals around weight management, con dence, and long-term health. This shift is accelerating demand for accessible, supportive environments where longevity, not just intensity, is prioritised. Strength training has become central to this evolution. Once perceived as niche, it is now widely recognised as foundational for metabolic health, ageing well, and functional tness. At the same time, emerging formats such as tness racing and the continued growth of reformer-based training are diversifying expectations around what a gym experience should offer. Facilities must now accommodate everything from high-performance competition training to low- impact, guided movement in the same footprint. This demands a rethink of equipment strategy and spatial design. Operators are moving away from rigid layouts toward exible zones that can support multiple training styles. A well-balanced mix includes intuitive strength solutions, open functional areas, and adaptable equipment that can scale with the user, ensuring both newcomers and advanced athletes feel equally catered for. Designing for longevity means building spaces
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STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2026
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