Gym membership reaches record levels as supply nears pre-pandemic levels

The UK fitness industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in the wake of the pandemic, with strong performance indicators across infrastructure, membership, and market value. In 2025, the total number of gyms exceeded 7,200, marking a 2.8% year-on-year increase and signalling a near return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Leisure DB’s State Of The UK Fitness Industry Report 2025.

Membership reached a record 11.3 million, up 5.4% from the previous year, with the private sector outpacing public facilities in both membership growth (5.8% vs. 4.5%) and market value uplift (9.1% vs. 8.8%). The industry’s total market value climbed to £6.5 billion, breaking the £6 billion milestone for the first time, while the national penetration rate rose to 16.8%, reflecting a renewed consumer appetite for health and wellness services.

Value operators help drive growth, particularly out of town

A key driver of this growth has been the low-cost gym segment, which continues to expand rapidly. Since 2020, the number of low-cost gym sites has increased by 30%, with out-of-town (OOT) locations playing a pivotal role. These gyms, often situated in retail parks and suburban areas, offer larger spaces, lower rents, and greater convenience – features that align well with post-pandemic consumer preferences.

However, hybrid working patterns have further boosted demand for gyms near both home and office, and many operators now offer multi-location memberships to accommodate flexible lifestyles. The concept of “omni-fitness” – a blend of gym workouts, home exercise, outdoor activities, and competitive sport – has gained traction, reinforcing the appeal of affordable and accessible fitness options. Consumers increasingly enjoy a number of these activities, which is why we’ve seen significant growth in value-orientated gyms, as an alternative to more expensive venues where consumers might feel more compelled to do all of their exercise in order to justify the cost.

PureGym and The Gym Group have led the charge in OOT expansion. PureGym was the most acquisitive operator in the retail warehouse market in both 2024 and 2025, with 25 and 32 new openings respectively. The Gym Group, which appointed Hamish Latchem (formerly of Aldi) as Chief Property Officer to accelerate growth, has opened 60 OOT sites since 2020 and plans to launch around 20 more in 2026. This includes their continued focus on OOT locations such as retail parks and mixed-use developments.

Its membership rose 5% in 2024 to 891,000, with average monthly revenue per member increasing to £20.81. JD Gyms and Bannatyne’s also remain in expansion mode, which means we’re likely to average around two new openings a month across the OOT market for the next few years. Looking ahead, the UK gym market is expected to maintain its growth trajectory in OOT locations. With retail warehouse vacancy rates at just 4.3% nationally, opportunities for expansion are limited, prompting operators to explore purpose-built standalone or roadside sites – mirroring trends seen in the coffee and drive-thru sectors.

Broader market expansion and private-sector dynamics

The broader market has also seen growth. Private sector clubs saw a net gain of 62 units in 2025, with 155 openings and 93 closures – an improvement over the net loss of nine clubs in 2024. Among the top 10 operators, 76 new clubs were launched, with PureGym accounting for over 60% of these.

Collectively, the top 10 private sector operators now manage 1,429 clubs, up from 1,365 in 2024, and have added more than 230,000 members. They represent 30% of all private clubs, 62% of total membership, and nearly 60% of market value. Rankings among these operators remained stable, with PureGym (422 clubs), The Gym Group (244), and Anytime Fitness (177) leading the pack.

The strength of the low-cost segment and shifting price dynamics

The low-cost segment now accounts for 806 clubs, up 8.5% from the previous year, and represents 41% of all private sector members. Market value in this segment rose by 11.1% to £986 million, with projections suggesting it will surpass £1 billion in 2026.

Despite rising operating costs, average monthly fees have exceeded £25 for the first time, with over 95% of clubs charging more than £20 and nearly half charging above £25. London clubs command a premium, averaging £30.61/month compared to £24.52 elsewhere. Leisure DB has updated its definition of a low-cost gym, raising the threshold from £25 to £27.50 per month.

Consumer demand, convenience, and the future of the fitness landscape

As consumers continue to prioritise convenience, flexibility and affordability, the UK fitness industry is well positioned for further growth. The proliferation of omni-fitness behaviours – together with hybrid working patterns and the appeal of low-cost, high-convenience gyms – underpins sustained demand even as competition across the leisure sector intensifies.

The market is evolving dynamically, with value operators capturing a significant share of new membership while mid-market and premium operators focus on differentiated, experience-led models.

_{Read the articles within Spotlight: UK Leisure Market 2026 below.}