PUBLIC VS PRIVATE DYNAMICS
Public vs Private: Market Structure & Scale
SECTOR COMPARISON GYMS MEMBERS VALUE
PUBLIC 33.2%
PUBLIC 30.3%
PUBLIC 23.1%
Market Value
Gyms
Members
PRIVATE 66.8%
PRIVATE 69.7%
PRIVATE 76.9%
The UK tness market is structurally de ned by the interaction between public and private provision, with each sector playing a distinct role in overall scale and delivery. While both contribute signi cantly to total supply, the balance of in uence varies markedly across number of gyms, members and market value. The private sector accounts for around two- thirds of all sites, but captures a greater share of both membership and market value. This re ects stronger utilisation, higher pricing and a more commercially driven operating model. In contrast, the public sector maintains a substantial physical presence, underpinning its role in providing accessible, community-based facilities across a wider geographic spread. This divergence is reinforced by pricing. Average membership fees in the private sector are signi cantly higher. They are around 46% above public provision, supporting greater revenue per gym and overall market value. Public facilities, by comparison, operate at lower price points to maximise accessibility and participation. Together, these dynamics create a dual structure: a commercially led private sector driving value and growth, alongside a publicly oriented network focused on access and inclusion. Understanding this balance is central to interpreting both current performance and future direction across the sector.
AVERAGE FEE BY SECTOR
£ .
£ .
Public
Private
89
STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2026
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