Leisure DB’s report – previously only available for purchase – is now available free of charge andreleased last month. Here are some of the key findings
LEISURE DB's latest State of the UK Fitness Industry Report highlights robust performance in the UK's health and fitness sector, particularly in the private sector. Membership numbers, market value and penetration rates have hit record highs. Approximately 10.7 million UK residents now hold gym memberships, contributing to a market value of £5.9 billion. From March 2023 to March 2024, the number of gyms increased slightly from 6,998 to 7,009, a 0.2% rise, though still below the 2019 peak of 7,239 gyms. Key metrics have improved significantly compared to both 2019 and 2023 levels. The penetration rate has risen to 15.9% of the UK population, up from 15.1% the previous year, with 10.7 million people holding health club memberships, an increase from 10.3 million in 2023. The private sector accounts for 10.9% of this penetration rate, while the public sector accounts for 5%. The market value has increased to £5.9 billion from £5.4 billion the previous year.
Private sector
The UK boasts 4,513 private health clubs, with 120 new openings and 129 closures as operators adjust post-pandemic. Most closures were independent gyms, while 45 of the new openings were low-cost facilities. Despite a net decrease of nine clubs, membership increased by 5.1% to 7.33 million, and market value rose by 10.9% to £4.48 billion. The penetration rate for low-cost, private sector health clubs is now 4.5% of the UK population. The top 10 private operators by number of clubs are PureGym, The Gym Group, Anytime Fitness, Nuffield Fitness & Wellbeing, David Lloyd Clubs, Snap Fitness, JD Gyms, Bannatyne, Sports Direct Fitness and énergie Fitness. These operators account for 30% of all private clubs and over 60% of private sector membership and market value. PureGym, with 379 sites, and The Gym Group, with 234 sites, have been key drivers in boosting membership in the low-cost segment beyond three million. Major franchisors – Anytime Fitness, énergie Fitness and Snap Fitness – now have 324 clubs combined, down from 327 in 2023. Prices have increased, with the average low-cost monthly fee rising above £24 for the first time.
Approximately 89% of UK low-cost clubs now charge £20 or more monthly, with London clubs averaging £30.10 compared to £23.05 outside the capital. PureGym’s average fee rose by 4.5%, and The Gym Group’s by 9.3%, aiming to optimise market rates. David Lloyd has the highest average monthly membership fee, exceeding £150, followed by Nuffield, starting at £85. In the independent sector, the number of clubs decreased from 2,178 to 2,171, while membership grew by 2.9% to 1.42 million, and market value increased by 8.8% to £796 million. About 33% of private clubs operate 24/7.
Public sector
The number of public sector gyms decreased to 2,496 from 2,538 in 2023. Despite this, membership rose by 1.9% to 3.36 million, penetration reached 5% (up from 4.9%) and market value increased by a high of 6.2% to £1.44 billion. Trusts manage 46% of public sector facilities, with insourcing growing to 20%. Educational institutions manage 14% and leisure management contractors operate 9%. GLL, the largest trust operator with 195 facilities, aims to achieve £2 billion of social value over five years. Only 1% of public sector gyms operate 24/7, with an average membership fee of £32.07. The full report is available for free online at
