UK Health and Fitness Market Report 2026 reveals visits to health and fitness clubs up 10%, and 18% of the population are now members.

The UK health and fitness sector has achieved record growth, with membership penetration rates reaching 18% and total income hitting £6.5bn, according to the UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026, published today (9 April).

• Annual report from ukactive, in collaboration with Sport England, 4GLOBAL, and Grant Thornton UK, shows a record 12.2 million people are now members of a health and fitness club in the UK.

• Visits to clubs have risen by 10% since 2024, reaching 679 million and showing continued growth in demand from people of all ages.

• UK health and fitness market sees total income hit £6.5bn, up from £5.7bn in 2024, signalling further growth and opportunities for investors and the Government.

• The sector is generating £7.5bn in attributable social value through health and fitness, measured in terms of life satisfaction and reduced health conditions.

The UK health and fitness sector has achieved record growth, with membership penetration rates reaching 18% and total income hitting £6.5bn, according to the UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026, published today (9 April).

The annual report – commissioned by ukactive and produced in collaboration with Sport England and 4GLOBAL, with analysis from Grant Thornton UK – shows a record 12.2 million people over the age of 16 are now members of a health and fitness club in the UK.

The report shows the sector is maturing, diversifying and creating deeper value for its members despite the challenging economic conditions stemming from increasing operating costs, the latest energy crisis, and the rising cost of living.

The total number of clubs* has reached 5,842 – an increase of 4.2% since 2024 – as public demand for fitness services continues to grow.

A total of 679 million visits to health and fitness clubs were recorded in 2025, marking a 10% increase on 2024 as more people turn to facilities to improve their health. This figure is nearly double the number of visits recorded to GPs last year (383 million according to NHS data), reflecting the scale of the sector’s reach and the unique part it plays in supporting national health.

This is reinforced by the report’s finding that the sector is also generating £7.5bn worth of social value through health and fitness activities, which is measured by using participation data and national models of wellbeing and health impact to calculate a person’s improved life satisfaction and reduced incidence of major health conditions.

The UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026 is sponsored by headline partners BLKBOX and Matrix, and contributing partners Precor and Technogym.

It brings together quarterly data on recorded customer visits to health and fitness facilities run by public, private and independent operators across the UK, making it the sector’s most authoritative source of market intelligence.

The data represents a sample coverage of 74% of private operators, 85% of public operators and 88% of independent operators.

In 2021, ukactive set out a shared ambition for growth: to have more than five million new people regularly using gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres on a regular basis by 2030, which is equivalent to 20% of the population.

The latest report shows that 18% of over-16s are now members of a health and fitness club, reflecting an increase of around 1% every year since data collection began– 14.6% in 2022, 16.0% in 2023, 16.9% in 2024 and 18.0% in 2025.

Total membership income across the sector has risen from £5.0bn in 2024 to £5.7.bn, resulting in a year-on-year increase of 14%.

The past year has also seen seven mergers and acquisitions deals recorded, reflecting continued investor confidence in the sector’s long-term growth potential.

The report shows increasing demand for health and fitness services across all segments of the market, with ‘productivity per site’ rising as pricing and offer-mix contribute to income growth.

It also demonstrates the broadening spectrum of activities and consumer motivations, with health and fitness clubs increasingly seen as hubs that support other priorities and routines such as recovery services, social spaces and work‑from‑gym options.

Consumer data** within the report shows that ‘trying new activities’ is a motivating factor for taking out a membership for 62% of consumers, and ‘making friends’ is important for almost half (49%) of members.

The authors also highlight the opportunity for the Government to leverage the multi-use facilities by helping to scale support for people with a range of health conditions.

In particular, the rapid uptake of GLP-1 weight-loss medications is shown to be a growing priority for the sector as more users and healthcare practitioners recognise the evidence for physical activity and lifestyle changes to maintain muscle mass, reduce side effects, and ensure sustainable results.

The report findings will be included in the European Health & Fitness Market Report published by EuropeActive and Deloitte, which will be released next week at the European Health & Fitness Forum in Cologne, Germany.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “Today’s report provides clear evidence that the UK is home to one of the strongest health and fitness sectors in the world and a much-needed success story for UK plc.

“Consumer demand for the services provided by gyms, pools and leisure centres is growing year-on-year, and our members are rising to the challenge by investing in new clubs and services.

“The most exciting thing is the untapped potential to get millions more people active if the sector gets the right support from the Government to remove the barriers to growth and help us reach more communities.

“One-in-four adults in England are classed as physically inactive, there are stubborn health inequalities, and the NHS and the economy are creaking under the strain of ill-health, so our sector has a vital role to play.”

Utku Toprakseven, Chief Development Officer at 4GLOBAL, said: “The continued growth of the UK health and fitness sector reflects both increasing consumer demand and the sector’s ability to adapt and evolve in a changing environment.

“This year’s analysis highlights a maturing sector, where operators are generating more value per member through more frequent usage, diversified offers and stronger alignment with consumer needs. At the same time, the data reinforces the critical role of the sector in supporting national health outcomes, with £7.5bn of social value being generated through sustained participation.

“By bringing together data from across private, public and independent operators, this contributes to a complete and more transparent picture of performance and impact, enabling a more informed understanding of not just how the sector is growing, but how it is evolving.

“As a result, the report offers valuable insights for operators, investors and policymakers alike, supporting better decision-making and helping to shape a more effective and evidence-led sector.”

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director for Place at Sport England, said: “When it comes to national health and wellbeing, sport and physical activity are a powerful driver of happiness, illness prevention and resilience.

“Record growth in membership numbers reflects that gyms, pools and leisure centres play a central role in this. A healthier country is also a wealthier and happier one; Sport England’s social value research shows every £1 invested in community sport and physical activity returns over £4 for the economy and society.”

Rob Turner, Partner, Consulting, at Grant Thornton UK, said: “These report findings provide a sharp, timely snapshot of the UK’s booming health and fitness market. Working alongside ukactive, Sport England and partners to gather and analyse this data has been invaluable in developing the insights it delivers, which are both unique and timely.

“This sector is a key contributor to both the UK economy and the nation’s health. The growth in gym numbers and their rising popularity strongly support the Government’s Prevention Agenda and will, in turn, ease pressure on the NHS. Additionally, fitness spaces are also evolving into key social hubs, with wellness becoming a core part of personal identity, and more than just exercise. For public and private investors alike, this is a high‑growth market with significant long‑term potential.”

Stephanie Peacock, Sports Minister, said: “Today’s report from ukactive is further proof that the health and fitness sector is playing a vital role in building a healthier, more active nation, with record membership numbers showing that more people than ever are choosing to get active in gyms and fitness centres.

“This Government is pleased to work alongside ukactive and the wider sector as we deliver our mission to get more people moving, ease pressure on the NHS, and ensure everyone, regardless of their background, can access the facilities they need.”

To read the UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026, click here.