Overview
The UK fitness industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, cementing its position as a thriving and dynamic sector. The market is dominated by the private sector, which accounts for the majority of the overall fitness landscape, while the public sector makes up the remaining portion. This diverse ecosystem is supported by a robust workforce, encompassing a wide range of roles such as fitness instructors, personal trainers, sports coaches, and other fitness-related occupations.
The UK fitness industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, cementing its position as a thriving and dynamic sector. With a market value of £5.1 billion in 2024 and over 10.4 million members across 7,339 facilities, the industry plays a significant role in the country’s health and wellness landscape.
The private sector dominates the market, accounting for 83% of the overall fitness landscape, while the public sector makes up the remaining 17%. This diverse ecosystem is supported by a robust workforce, with 161,500 employees in sports and fitness occupations as of 2021-2023, including 57,900 fitness instructors.
Here are the 50+ statistics on UK Fitness Industry:
Fitness Industry Employment
- There were 161,500 employees in sports and fitness occupations in the United Kingdom in 2021-2023.
- The UK had 57,900 fitness instructors as of 2021-2023.
- There were 107,000 sports coaches, instructors and officials employed in the UK in 2020.
- The gender distribution of sports and fitness occupations in the UK was 52.1% male and 47.9% female in 2021.
- The average salary for a fitness instructor in the UK was £20,000 per year in 2022.
- The number of fitness instructors in the UK has grown by 15% over the past 5 years.
- 83% of fitness instructors in the UK work in the private sector, while 17% work in the public sector.
- 42% of fitness instructors in the UK are self-employed or freelance.
- The most common qualifications held by fitness instructors in the UK are Level 2 and Level 3 certificates.
- The UK fitness industry employed over 190,000 people across different occupations in 2021.
Fitness Participation
- 5.78 million people in England participated in fitness classes at least twice a month in 2015-2023.
- 19% of people in the UK had a gym membership in 2024.
- 74% of people in the UK owned home fitness products in 2021.
- The weekly amount of physical activity in Wales was 3.8 hours for men and 3.1 hours for women in 2020.
- The most popular fitness activities in the UK are walking, swimming, and cycling.
- 51% of adults in the UK met the recommended physical activity guidelines in 2020.
- Participation in fitness activities is highest among 25-34 year olds in the UK.
- 67% of UK adults participated in sport and physical activity at least twice a week in 2021.
- The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 7% decline in fitness club memberships in the UK in 2020.
- 30% of UK adults increased their physical activity levels during the pandemic.
Fitness Equipment and Spending
- Fitness and health service purchases made up 4% of total consumer spending in the UK in 2024.
- 74% of UK consumers owned a home fitness product in 2021, with the most common being yoga mats, resistance bands, and dumbbells.
- The consumer price index (CPI) for sport equipment in the UK increased from 108.1 in 2008 to 116.5 in 2023.
- The UK fitness equipment market was valued at £1.2 billion in 2021.
- Home fitness equipment sales in the UK grew by 50% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Treadmills, exercise bikes, and free weights were the top-selling fitness equipment categories in the UK in 2021.
- The average UK household spent £145 on fitness equipment and services in 2020.
- 62% of UK consumers purchased fitness equipment online in 2021, up from 48% in 2019.
- The UK fitness equipment market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2021 to 2026.
- The rise of connected fitness devices has driven increased spending on smart home gym equipment in the UK.
Fitness Trackers and Apps
- 32% of people in the UK used wearable fitness devices in 2024.
- The most popular brand for fitness trackers in the UK was Apple.
- The most downloaded health and fitness app in the Google Play Store in Great Britain was Samsung Health.
- Leading Android health apps in Great Britain by revenue in 2022 included Strava, MyFitnessPal, and Fitbit.
- The UK wearable fitness tracker market was valued at £560 million in 2021.
- Smartwatches accounted for 65% of the UK wearable fitness tracker market in 2021.
- 45% of UK consumers used a fitness app on their smartphone in 2021.
- The most popular fitness app categories in the UK are workout/exercise, activity tracking, and nutrition.
- The UK fitness app market is projected to reach £330 million in revenue by 2025.
- Integration of health data from wearables and fitness apps is a key trend in the UK market.
eFitness and Digital Trends
- The eServices Fitness market in the UK was forecast to have 5.9 million users by 2024, with a penetration rate of 8.1%.
- The average revenue per user (ARPU) in the UK eServices Fitness market was projected to reach $77.13 by 2024.
- Online revenue for the eServices Fitness market in the UK was forecast to reach $456 million by 2024.
- The number of users in the eServices market by segment in the UK was projected to reach 7.1 million for Fitness, 6.8 million for Nutrition, and 5.8 million for Mindfulness by 2030.
- The UK online fitness class market grew by over 200% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 65% of UK consumers used digital fitness content during the pandemic, compared to 35% pre-pandemic.
- The most popular digital fitness activities in the UK are on-demand workout videos and live-streamed classes.
- 74% of UK fitness operators plan to continue offering digital fitness content post-pandemic.
- The UK virtual fitness market is expected to reach £500 million in value by 2025.
- Personalization and gamification are key trends driving growth in the UK digital fitness sector.
Regional Fitness Market Trends
- Birmingham had the highest overall fitness score among UK cities, with 182 gyms, 89 swimming pools, 79 tennis courts, and 83 cycling clubs.
- Leeds came in second place for fitness, offering 137 gyms, 71 swimming pools, 71 tennis courts, and 68 athletics clubs.
- Manchester ranked third, with 59 healthy eating restaurants and 70 athletics clubs, despite having slightly fewer gyms and swimming pools than Birmingham and Leeds.
- London had the highest number of fitness facilities in the UK, with over 1,800 gyms and studios.
- The South East region had the highest gym membership penetration at 22.4% of the population.
- Scotland had the lowest gym membership rate in the UK at 13.1% of the population.
- The North East region had the highest percentage of adults meeting physical activity guidelines at 58%.
- Wales had the lowest percentage of adults meeting physical activity guidelines at 49%.
- Boutique fitness studios have seen rapid growth in major cities like London, Manchester and Glasgow.
- Discount gym chains have expanded aggressively across the UK, especially in urban areas.
Fitness Industry Outlook and Innovations
- Operators are responding to the needs of Gen Z and Millennial gym-goers by offering more community-focused, personalized, and educational fitness experiences.
- Boutique fitness concepts like Les Mills CEREMONY are being integrated into larger gym facilities to cater to the demand for specialized, high-intensity workouts.
- Limited Edition fitness class “box sets” are being used to quickly adapt to the latest trends and keep members engaged.
- The UK fitness industry is expected to reach a value of £5.5 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 7.5%.
- Wearable tech, AI-powered coaching, and virtual/augmented reality are key innovation trends in the UK fitness market.
- Sustainability and eco-friendly fitness are becoming increasingly important to UK consumers.
- The rise of fitness influencers and social media-driven fitness trends is shaping the industry.
Business
Fitness participation in the UK is strong, with a significant number of people regularly engaging in fitness classes and activities. However, gym membership rates remain moderate, suggesting there is still significant untapped potential for growth, particularly as many consumers already own home fitness products. The industry has also seen a surge in digital fitness adoption, with the eServices Fitness market projected to continue growing in the coming years. This shift towards online and connected fitness experiences is further evidenced by the popularity of wearable devices among the UK population.
Fitness participation in the UK is strong, with 5.78 million people in England engaging in fitness classes at least twice a month. However, gym membership rates remain moderate, with only 19% of the population holding a membership in 2024. This suggests significant untapped potential for growth, particularly as 74% of UK consumers already own home fitness products.
The industry has also seen a surge in digital fitness adoption, with the eServices Fitness market projected to reach 5.9 million users by 2024, representing an 8.1% penetration rate. This shift towards online and connected fitness experiences is further evidenced by the popularity of wearable devices, with 32% of the UK population using them in 2024.
Trends
The fitness industry in the UK is responding to the evolving needs and preferences of its customer base, particularly younger generations. Operators are offering more community-focused, personalized, and educational fitness experiences, while integrating boutique concepts into larger gym facilities. Additionally, the use of limited-edition fitness class “box sets” allows for rapid adaptation to the latest trends and keeps members engaged.
Sustainability and eco-friendly fitness are also becoming increasingly important to UK consumers, shaping the industry’s focus on responsible and environmentally-conscious practices.
Finance
The financial performance of the UK fitness industry remains strong, with the sector generating significant revenue and contributing to the overall economy. However, the industry is not without its challenges, with cost being a key barrier for some consumers when it comes to joining a gym. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a notable impact on the industry, leading to a decline in fitness club memberships, although some consumers increased their physical activity levels during this period.
The financial performance of the UK fitness industry remains strong, with the sector’s revenue standing at an estimated €3.56 billion in 2021. The personal training industry was forecast to be worth over £635.5 million in 2022, while the gross value added (GVA) of fitness facilities reached £818 million in 2021.
However, the industry is not without its challenges, with 54% of people citing cost as the main reason for not joining a gym. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a significant impact, leading to a 7% decline in fitness club memberships in 2020, although 30% of UK adults increased their physical activity levels during this period.
Conclusion
The UK fitness industry continues to evolve, driven by changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and a growing emphasis on health and wellness. As the market navigates the post-pandemic landscape, the industry’s ability to adapt and cater to the diverse needs of its customers will be crucial in shaping its future trajectory. With a strong foundation and a focus on innovation, the UK fitness sector is poised for continued growth and success in the years to come.
