Did you know that the global health and fitness industry is worth a whopping US$87.2 billion, and welcomed 174 million consumers at more than 201,000 facilities around the world (IHRSA, 2018).

The US leads all markets in revenue with $30 billion, while Germany is second ($5.6 billion), and the United Kingdom third ($5.5 billion) (IHRSA, 2018).

The 2018 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report – published in May 2018 by the Leisure Database Company (LeisureDB) – estimates the fitness market’s value at £5 billion, an increase of 2.9% on 2016.

There are a record number of people with a gym membership, 10 million or one in every seven people – a market penetration rate of 14.9%.

During the 12 months to March 2018, the number of fitness facilities increased by 4.6%, with 275 new openings, while total membership grew by 2%.

The rates of growth are, however, lower than recorded during the previous 12 months (from March 2016 to March 2017), when the sector saw increases of more than 5% in both members and market value.

When it comes to operators, budget chain Pure Gym and charitable enterprise GLL have strengthened their positions as the UK’s leading private and public operators – when measured by number of gyms and members.

Pure Gym have become the first operator to reach 200 clubs and passed the 1 million member mark earlier this year, while GLL, with 194 gyms, is also likely to break the 200 milestone in the next year.

For more information on The State of the UK Fitness Industry Report look here.

Reference

IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association). (2018) The 2018 IHRSA Global Report: The State of the Health Club Industry. Available from World Wide Web: https://www.ihrsa.org/about/media-center/press-releases/ihrsa-2018-global-report-club-industry-revenue-totaled-87-2-billion-in-2017. [Accessed: 25 September, 2018].

Leisure DB (Leisure Database Company). (2018) 2018 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report. Available from World Wide Web: http://www.leisuredb.com/publications/. [Accessed: 25 September, 2018].