2026 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report

THE SHAPE OF SUPPLY

Volume Model: Low Cost & High-Utilisation Growth

LOW COST SHARE OF PRIVATE MARKET

MEMBERS PER GYM BY MODEL PRIVATE SECTOR

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Non Low Cost

Low Cost

Gyms

Members

Market Value

Growth within the private sector is increasingly being shaped by the expansion of high-volume, low cost-led operating models. While low cost operators account for a relatively small share of sites, they capture a disproportionately large share of members, underlining the scale and reach of this segment. This reects a model built around accessibility, price competitiveness and high utilisation. Low cost gyms accommodate signicantly more members per site, often several times the density of non-low cost operators, through simplied formats, extended opening hours and lower-cost delivery. As a result, they are driving a substantial share of overall participation growth, particularly among more price-sensitive consumers.

However, this scale does not translate proportionally into market value. Low cost operators generate a smaller share of total revenue relative to their member base, reecting a lower price point and a volume-driven model. The gap in member density between low cost and non-low cost operators is now a dening feature of the market. It reinforces the shift toward fewer, more efcient formats capable of serving larger catchments at lower unit cost. This dynamic is reshaping competitive positioning across the sector. Operators are increasingly required to differentiate either through scale and value, or through premium experience, leaving limited space for undifferentiated mid-market models.

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STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2026

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