DEFINITIONS
OVERVIEW
PRIVATE SECTOR
PRIVATE SECTOR
RISE AND FALL IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
PRIVATE CLUBS
All UK private health and fitness clubs with a gym and swimming pool facility that’s available to the general public on a pay-per-swim or membership basis.
Private clubs
As in the public sector, the number of private health clubs with a swimming pool has gone down again this year. However, the decline is less marked in the private sector. Across the UK, there are now 1,279 private clubs with a pool, down from 1,283 in 2024. This equates to a fall of -0.3% in the 12 months to the end of March 2025. The total number of pools has also dropped slightly, from 1,613 to 1,611 (-0.1%). Of the 1,279 total, 465 clubs with pools are now managed by the top 10 operators, up from 463 since 2024 (+2 clubs). Nuffield Health (see interview, page 96) remains the UK’s leading private sector pool operator by number of clubs with pools. In 2025, it operates 109 clubs with pools – two fewer than in 2024. It is followed by David Lloyd Clubs in second place, which has a net gain of three locations with pools since our last report, bringing its total to 105. These two operators are the only brands to have more than 100 clubs with a pool. Expanding the list to include operators with 50+ clubs with a pool also brings in Bannatyne, while Everlast Gyms, Village Gym and Virgin Active each have 25–50 clubs with pools. You can check out the full top 30 rankings on page 95. Across the private sector, there were seven new openings and 13 closures in the 12 months to 31 March 2025 (please note, figures refer to openings and closures of clubs with a pool – see definitions, page 82). In the year to 31 March 2025, the average membership fee for a private health club with a pool was £83.07 (+5.2% from £78.97 in 2024).
1,279
OPERATORS
Top 10/30 pool operators: Clubs belonging to the top 10/30 operators, as ranked by number of clubs with a swimming pool. Note that totals exclude any temporarily closed facilities. Where operators are tied in total number of clubs, higher ranking is determined by the greatest total fitness membership (data currently excludes swim-only members).
Pools
INDEPENDENTS & MULTI-CLUB OPERATORS
Independents: Single-site clubs – not part of a larger brand or group of clubs. Multi-club operators: Branded groups of clubs or an owner that operates more than one club.
1,611
OPENINGS & CLOSURES
Openings: Clubs with new swimming pools that opened between 01/04/2024 and 31/03/2025, either as a result of a swimming pool being added to an existing dry club or the opening of a new-build private club with a pool. This does not include swimming pools added to a club already with a swimming pool; swimming pools that have been refurbished; or clubs where a new swimming facility has been constructed to replace an existing one. Closures: Clubs with swimming pools that closed between 01/04/2024 and 31/03/2025, either as a result of a full private club closure or an individual swimming pool being closed at an existing club, meaning there is no remaining swimming pool. If a club is taken over by another operator, this is not counted as a closure or a new opening. For further explanation, please see page 45.
Openings
7
Closures
AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP FEE
Monthly peak membership fee on the non-contract option if this is available, or the rolling peak monthly membership fee in the absence of a non-contract option.
13
POOL TYPE
Indoor main: Indoor rectangular pool that’s 15m or more in length. Indoor teaching: Indoor teaching, learner or training pool that’s less than 15m in length. Indoor leisure: Indoor freeform or curved pool. Indoor diving: Designated indoor diving pool. Outdoor: Open-air pool that may be seasonal or open all year round.
Average membership fee £83.07
82
83
STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2023 STATE OF THE UK SWIMMING INDUSTRY REPORT 2025
STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2023
82
83
STATE OF THE UK SWIMMING INDUSTRY REPORT 2025
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