WellNation issue 5 2026

Discover how EGYM powers growth you can see, prove, and repeat with a fully connected, data-driven ecosystem, tailored to you.

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news & trends

PureGym growing strong – targets

PureGym remains on track to open more than 60 new sites during 2026. In a trading update for the first three months of 2026, the low cost gym operator said it had experienced “a strong start to 2026”, with adjusted EBITDA increasing to £56m – up £11m when compared to the same period in 2025.

During Q1 (the three months to 31 March), the company opened eight new corporate sites. Commenting on its operating cost inflation – a hot topic among health club chains – PureGym said it is expecting the figure to stay below 2% in 2026.

“Despite some inflationary pressures, we expect largely fixed utility costs and operating model improvements to help us maintain cost inflation below 2%,” the company said. “While utility costs are higher in 2026 reflecting inflation

during 2025, these are locked in and largely protected from price increases arising from the H1 2026 Middle East conflict. The majority of energy requirements for the UK business are also now locked in to end of 2028.”

The number of members across the PureGym estate stood at 2.49 million at the end of Q1, up from 2.4 million at the end of Q1 2025. The company ended 2025 with 455 gyms in the UK, 128 gyms in Denmark, 48 gyms in Switzerland, 60 gyms in the USA and 23 franchise gyms in the Middle East. It has 2.3 million members across its markets, with member growth driven by new openings in the UK and Switzerland and maturing gyms.

According to Clive Chesser, CEO, the record level of new openings reflects the company’s confidence in continued demand for accessible, low-cost fitness.

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and WellNation accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. Opinions expressed by the contributors and advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher and we do not accept responsibility of losses or damages arising from them. Printed

news & trends

Activities are delivered by occupational therapists

Sport England pilot becomes permanent care service in Essex

A Sport England Local Delivery Pilot, the Prevention and Enablement Model, designed and delivered by Sport for Confidence CIC with Active Essex, has become embedded in adult social care across Essex as Reconnect, an occupational therapy-led, physical activity-based prevention service entering its third delivery year in April 2026.

Independent evaluation by the University of Essex and State of Life evidenced that, over the two-year pilot, the Prevention and Enablement Model delivered up to £58.71 of social value for every £1 invested, alongside strong health and social outcomes, giving Essex County Council confidence to commission Reconnect as a long-term, fully embedded service within Essex County Council’s Public Health and Adult Social Care system.

The model uses person-centred physical activity as a therapeutic tool, delivered by occupational therapists working alongside the physical activity workforce in leisure settings. It supports adults with disabilities and long-term health conditions to improve independence, wellbeing, confidence and social connection, while reducing reliance on statutory services. Between April 2024 and January 2026, Reconnect received 1,348 new referrals.

JD

Gyms launches PT Academy with “guaranteed opportunity” to work

JD Gyms has launched a new personal training qualification designed to offer aspiring fitness professionals both the skills needed to become confident PTs and a “guaranteed opportunity” to work in the sector.

Created as an official pathway into a career with the gym operator, the JD Gyms PT Academy combines scienceled education and flexible learning with real-world gym-floor experience. Each trainee is also guaranteed an interview upon qualification.

The launch comes at a time of growing interest in careers within the fitness industry. In the past month alone, Google searches for “how to become a PT” have surged by 620%, highlighting a clear appetite for accessible, structured routes into the profession.

JD Gyms PT Academy is designed to meet that demand with a qualification that goes beyond certification and focuses on career progression. The training delivers a 10-module

programme covering psychology, physiology, biomechanics and performance tracking. Each module includes an optional 1:1 live session with a tutor, with all sessions recorded to support roll-on, roll-off learning at a pace that suits the learner.

Trainees benefit from unlimited tutor support, including live sessions, recorded content, AI-assisted learning tools, and human tutor guidance, even in the evenings, ensuring support is available whenever needed.

Designed for real-world coaching, the course prepares learners not just to qualify, but to coach with confidence from day one. Upon qualification, every trainee secures a guaranteed interview with the brand, offering a direct route into employment.

The programme also introduces a unique PT/FC hybrid pathway, providing a 12-hour salaried foundation and reduced financial risk for new trainers as they build their client base and experience on the gym floor.

Get your

Virgin Active Mayfair becomes ‘Social Wellness Club”

Virgin Active has announced the relaunch of its Mayfair site as its first Social Wellness Club in London – a new category of destination that goes beyond the traditional gym model to support the full breadth of how people live and work.

The relaunch marks a significant moment in Virgin Active’s global evolution. Across 224 Clubs in nine countries, serving more than a million members, the brand has been building toward a singular conviction: that people need their wellness memberships to genuinely support how they live. The Social Wellness Club is its answer to that shift.

The concept, which has already seen success in Milan, Cape Town, Sydney and Doha, arrives in the UK for the first time through the evolution of its landmark Mayfair Club which offers not just an upgrade, but a new standard, and a statement of Virgin Active’s long-term commitment to investing in its UK estate. Rather than something separate from everyday life, the Social

Wellness Club has been designed to sit naturally alongside it. A place where training, recovery, focus, connection, work and nutrition are brought together with intent – supporting how members move through their day.

At its foundation remains training. Six dedicated studios including

Combat, Lift Club, Cycle, Mind and Body, Reformer and Tower Pilates, and a 1:1 Pilates suite, are supported by a dedicated team of Personal Trainers delivering tailored programmes. In addition to these studios there is a fully equipped gym floor covering strength and cardio in equal measure.

David Lloyd opens Shrewsbury club after £11m transformation

David Lloyd Clubs has officially opened its newly transformed Shrewsbury club, following a £11m investment. After a 12-month redevelopment programme, the club now offers a premium, “all-in-one space for families and individuals”, featuring a new gym area with 100+ stations, indoor swimming pool with kids splash pool, a 25m heated outdoor pool, boutique exercise studios, indoor racquets courts plus two brand new outdoor tennis and three outdoor padel courts.

There is also a Spa Retreat with Himalayan salt sauna, rainforest experience shower, crystal steam room, ice cave, plunge pool, hydrotherapy pool and an outdoor spa garden with relaxation loungers.

“We’ve invested to transform our Shrewsbury club into one of the finest health clubs in the west,” David Lloyd Clubs said in a statement.

news & trends

The showroom sets Sunlighten’s ecosystem in one experiential space

Sunlighten opens flagship London wellness club concept

Sunlighten, supplier of sciencebacked infrared light and wellness products, has announced the opening of its first UK flagship showroom in central London, marking a major milestone in its expansion across residential and commercial markets.

Since entering the UK in 2019, the brand has established itself at the forefront of the fast-growing infrared category, spanning modular sauna cabins, bespoke custom installations, and advanced red light therapy solutions for homes, spas, wellness and fitness operators. Backed by a Scientific Advisory Board and endorsed by more than 200 doctors and wellness experts including Dr Mark Hyman and public figures like Stella McCartney, the brand is trusted by elite athletes, like Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as top domestic and international football teams.

Located on Great Portland Street, the flagship brings Sunlighten’s ecosystem into one space, showcasing infrared saunas alongside red light therapy. Sunlighten also introduced a new “infrared sauna club” concept designed to bring social and premium recovery experiences to Fitzrovia’s evolving wellness landscape. The opening was attended by the likes of Liz Earle, Davinia Taylor and Tim Gray.

The event is designed to foster meaningful relationships

Independent Gyms to host annual Women in Fitness event

Independent Gyms has announced the return of its annual Women in Fitness Networking Event for 2026, bringing together women from across the fitness industry for a day of connection, conversation and community.

This year’s event, themed “Women That Walk,” will take place on Tuesday 9th June 2026 in Stratfordupon-Avon and is delivered in partnership with New Forest Hikes, with support from Speedflex, Future Fit for Business and Red Bull.

Designed to foster meaningful relationships within the industry, the event will centre around a 15km guided walk along the scenic Stratford Greenway – a flat, accessible route set in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside. Participants can expect a relaxed yet purposeful day that blends wellbeing and networking, including a guided group walk, refreshments and lunch along the route, and a celebratory prosecco at the finish line. For those wishing to extend the experience,

optional post-walk networking will take place back in Stratford-upon-Avon.

As part of its commitment to making a positive impact beyond the industry, Independent Gyms will donate £20 from every ticket sold to CoppaFeel!, supporting its mission to ensure breast cancers in young people are diagnosed early and accurately.

“This event is about creating space for women in fitness to connect in a meaningful way, away from the gym floor and into a more relaxed, open environment,” said Amy Ritson of Speedflex. “Women That Walk is not just about movement, but about shared experiences, support and building stronger networks across our industry.”

Robert Handy, Founder of Independent Gyms, added: “We’re passionate about supporting every part of the fitness industry, and that means creating opportunities that bring people together beyond the day-to-day. Our Women in Fitness event is a powerful example of that.”

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Everyone Active Managing Director David Bibby retires

Everyone Active’s Managing Director, David Bibby, is retiring this month (May), after a distinguished career in the leisure sector. Bibby steps down from the role after leading the organisation since 2006.

Previously the company’s finance director, he has overseen significant growth, strengthened partnerships with local authorities across the UK and helped expand Everyone Active’s reputation as one of the

Leisure DB names Rich Watts as Chief Digital Officer to lead “next chapter”

Leisure DB, the UK’s leading independent data specialist for the fitness and leisure sector, has appointed Rich Watts as Chief Digital Officer (CDO), effective immediately.

Watts joins Leisure DB at what the company calls a “defining moment” for the sector it serves. Over the next 12 months, the business is transforming how three decades of proprietary leisure sector data is delivered to its customers — moving from traditional, manual research delivery toward an automated, web-first, AI-enabled platform.

Watts will be tasked with engineering and deploying that platform, and for the digital evolution of the wider business across data, research and consulting.

Watts brings more than 25 years of experience leading teams that transform businesses through technology, with senior product and digital leadership roles across global brands in Financial Services, Professional Services, SaaS, Healthcare and Leisure. His appointment reflects the scale of the company’s ambition: to make sector-

grade intelligence as accessible and as fast as the environments customers already work in elsewhere.

“The opportunity here is significant,” Watts, said.

“Through global data partnerships — and by applying AI to one of the richest proprietary archives in the sector — Leisure DB can serve both ends of the leisure and wellbeing economy at once. By that we mean the macro view that investors, policymakers and capital partners need to allocate intelligently, as well as the micro view operators and suppliers rely on to make daily decisions about sites, members and programmes.”

country’s leading leisure operators. Under his leadership, Everyone Active has continued to grow its portfolio of facilities, invested in community health initiatives and championed the role of leisure services in supporting the nation’s physical and mental wellbeing. Bibby said: “After many rewarding years in the sector, the time is right for me to step back and begin a new chapter. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved at Everyone Active.”

Action Group hires new MD to supercharge growth

Action Group has appointed Alex Cornwell as its new Managing Director, with the remit to help its growing portfolio of clients across the fitness, wellness, lifestyle and sports industries seamlessly unlock standout growth no matter the business challenge faced.

The former Vice President of Fitness & Wellness at The PHA Group brings vast sector experience to the company and joins Action Group following the departure of former Managing Director, Daniel Pearson.

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news & trends

Design a “key driver” of women’s gym participation

New research from Total Fitness reveals that women’s gym attendance is cyclical rather than continuous, and redesigning spaces could triple engagement. The study, which combined a nationally representative survey of over 5,000 UK adults with behavioural data from the brand’s women-only gym concept, highlights design and comfort as primary drivers of participation rather than motivation or cost.

Key findings include:

l 76% of women cite comfort as their primary reason for joining l 81% of women take breaks from gym membership

l Half of non-members have previously held memberships l 41% report multiple breaks over the past decade

l Only 19% of current members report uninterrupted membership over 10 years

l Two thirds of women wan to go to the gym but face confidence barriers

l Inactivity dropped from 22% to 1% in redesigned women-

The research was presented at a launch event in London

only environments and regular participation rose from 14% to 48%.

Kerry Curtis, Chief Commercial Officer, said: “If women feel they need to be ‘ready’ before they walk through the door, then we haven’t designed environments that truly support them. This is not a motivation gap – it’s a

design challenge, and one we have a responsibility to solve.” She added that while 42% of women cited cost as a factor, “emotional and environmental barriers operate at a comparable scale. Factors linked to confidence, health and feeling comfortable in the space are just as significant.”

Pro boxer Darren Sealy opens Flow State Fit Club in London

A new boutique firtness group training concept, called Flow State Fit Club, has opened in Clapham Common, London, positioning itself as a structured, coaching-led alternative within the capital city’s competitive boutique fitness sector.

Co-founded by performance coach and professional heavyweight boxer, Darren Sealy and commercial finance specialist, Sujit Pancratius, the concept combines elite athletic methodology with operational discipline and a focus on long-term member development.

Flow State Fit Club is built around controlled growth rather than rapid expansion and Sealy brings over 16 years of experience in commercial gym environments and professional boxing. He has trained and sparred alongside world-class athletes including Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk.

Health services accelerate membership growth

Growing memberships across different tiers have traditionally been built around better access, elevated experiences, and added convenience. Increasingly, the strongest driver of growth is integrated health support.

HealthKey data shows that fitness and leisure operators who include health services in premium memberships see an average 37% increase in membership volume within the first six months of launch. That level of uplift points to a meaningful shift in how members evaluate value at the top tier.

The evolution of premium

The definition of “premium” is expanding. Alongside upgraded facilities and class offerings, members are now responding to access to services that support their broader health:

l 24/7 GP access

l Online and in-person physiotherapy

l AI-driven coaching

l Nutrition support

l Mental health services

These services address needs that sit adjacent to fitness but have a direct impact on engagement and consistency.

Mark Braithwaite, CEO, Kore, says: “HealthKey has helped us add real value to our premium membership offering at Kore Wellness, giving members easy access to a broader range of health and wellbeing services. The team has been excellent to work with, making the integration straightforward and the transition smooth for both our staff and members.”

So, why are operators seeing stronger uptake?

Health support removes friction

Injury, uncertainty and lack of guidance are among the most common reasons members disengage. Access to physiotherapy, coaching, and clinical support reduces those barriers and helps members stay active.

The value equation becomes clearer

Members are more willing to upgrade when the benefits extend beyond the gym floor. Ongoing access to health services increases perceived value and supports higher price points without relying on heavy discounting.

Broader audience appeal

Health-integrated memberships are attracting segments that have historically been harder to convert into premium tiers:

l Older members

l Time-constrained professionals

l Individuals managing or recovering from injury

This contributes to both upsell and new demand.

Stronger engagement over time

When members use services such as coaching or physiotherapy, their interaction with the brand becomes more consistent. This supports both retention within premium tiers and overall lifetime value.

Mark Orme, Leisure Manager Fitness, Ffit Conwy, says: “Integrating health services into the premium membership offer is a core part of our strategy to move from a traditional gym model to a holistic health and wellbeing proposition. By embedding

Members need to be able to discover, access, and use health services without friction

preventative, supportive and clinically aligned services alongside high-quality fitness provision, we create greater value for members, improve retention and position our premium membership as a complete health solution rather than just facility access.

“What I’ve seen in practice is that when health services are genuinely integrated into the premium offer, members stay longer, engage more consistently, and place a much higher value on their membership. It stops being about price or access, and becomes about trust, outcomes and long-term wellbeing.”

What drives success?

The operators seeing the strongest results are focused on both what services are included, and how these services are delivered.

Members need to be able to discover, access and use health services without friction ideally within the same environment they already use to manage their membership.

This is where integration becomes a key differentiator. HealthKey is designed to plug directly into existing operator tech stacks, including platforms such as MyFitApp, Xplor, Gladstone and others, allowing members to access health services seamlessly alongside bookings, payments and club interactions.

The result is a more cohesive experience:

l Fully white-labelled experience

l No disconnected platforms

l Clear visibility of available services

l Higher activation and repeat usage

When services feel embedded as part of the existing experience, utilisation increases, which drives the financial impact.

What this means for operators

The data indicates a shift in how premium memberships are being evaluated and purchased. Health services are influencing both conversion and retention, while also expanding the audience for higher-tier products. For operators, the opportunity sits in how effectively these services are positioned, integrated and activated.

Bottom line

Operators integrating health services into premium memberships are seeing average growth of more than 37% in that tier within six months. The commercial upside is clear. The operators who execute well on experience and integration are seeing the strongest results.

l For more information about HealthKey email info@healthkey.health

news & trends

Leaders call for united approach to obesity treatments

A coalition of international health and fitness organisations, including ukactive, is calling on governments and health systems to ensure obesity medications are delivered alongside funded physical activity and nutrition support, rather than as standalone treatments.

The World Obesity Federation, ukactive, the Health & Fitness Association, AUSactive, Exercise New Zealand and the Fitness Industry Council of Canada have issued a joint position statement outlining a global framework for integrating prevention, treatment and long-term health outcomes. With almost three billion adults worldwide currently overweight or living with obesity, projected to reach four billion by 2035, the organisations stress that while medications such as GLP-1 therapies represent a major clinical advance, they must be embedded within comprehensive care models.

The statement warns that reliance on medication alone risks poorer long-term outcomes, including muscle

Huw Edwards, the outgoing CEO of ukactive, said medications must “not be viewed as a substitute for physical activity”

loss, reduced functional capacity and widening health inequalities where access to support services is limited. Instead, it advocates a ‘wraparound’ approach combining pharmacological treatment with sustained investment in physical activity, nutrition and supportive environments. It also calls for obesity medications to be integrated

into care pathways that include funded lifestyle support, alongside prevention and community programmes.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive (who stepped down in April), said: “The rise of obesity medications must not be viewed as a substitute for physical activity and nutrition when in fact it heightens the need for these vital elements.”

Output Sports partners with HYROX365 on conditioning test

Output Sports has been named the official Athlete Testing and Benchmarking Partner for HYROX365, marking a significant step forward in structured, performance-driven training with the launch of the HYROX Conditioning Test (HCT).

Developed in collaboration with HYROX365, the sport’s official training and education ecosystem, the 34-minute test provides a fully standardised way to assess the key physical demands of HYROX racing, including aerobic capacity, muscular endurance and power. Designed for real-world gym environments, the test can be run in rolling heats, making it scalable while maintaining consistency across sessions.

Results are captured through the Output Sports platform to generate a HYROX Conditioning Score, giving coaches and athletes a clear benchmark to track progress and inform training decisions.

The future of Team management

news & trends

£1.2m revamp completed at Woking Leisure Centre

A new indoor cycling studio has opened at Woking Leisure Centre, as part of a wider £1.2m, ongoing investment into the centre.

The new space features Keiser bikes, alongside a modernised studio environment, with enhanced lighting and sound, creating an immersive group cycling experience. The space will offer a wide range of instructor-led classes, with Les Mills programming also available. The investment will also deliver a range of improvements, including upgrades to the gym and group exercise studios.

Willmott Dixon begins work on Bransbury Park

Willmott Dixon has started construction on a new leisure centre and healthcare hub at Bransbury Park in Portsmouth, bringing swimming, fitness, sport and primary care facilities to communities in the city. Procured through the Southern Construction Framework, the development will feature a 25-metre, four-lane swimming pool, learner pool, 65-station fitness suite and two group exercise studios. The scheme will also deliver improved sports facilities, including a new artificial turf pitch and a floodlit MUGA.

Parkwood secures contract to operate Wyre’s leisure centres

Wyre Council has appointed Parkwood Leisure, working in partnership with the charitable organisation Creating Active Futures, to manage the borough’s leisure centres from 1 April 2026.

The contract will see Parkwood Leisure and Creating Active Futures manage facilities in Fleetwood, Poulton, Thornton and Garstang, along with enhanced wellbeing support designed to help residents lead healthier, more active lives.

Parkwood has also committed to delivering a “significant programme of investment”, which will see a range of upgrades at the facilities. These include extended and upgraded gym spaces at Fleetwood and Garstang, the reopening of the health suite/spa and refurbished changing facilities at Poulton and a new indoor activity centre at Thornton.

Parkwood will also launch an enhanced Active Wellbeing Programme featuring a refreshed exercise referral scheme. This will provide tailored support for inactive

and less active residents in line with the Wyre Moving More strategy.

In addition, Wyre Council is investing £475,000 in energy-saving and sustainability measures, including the installation of solar panels, water-efficiency improvements and upgraded lighting, supporting the council’s climate goals.

Glen Hall, MD of Parkwood Leisure, said: “Our goal is simple: invest in the places people love, and remove barriers so more residents can enjoy being active.

“Working closely with Wyre Council and Creating Active Futures, we’ll deliver visible improvements from day one and build a programme that supports every community, whether that’s learning to swim, joining a first group exercise class, or taking the next step on a health and wellbeing journey.”

Working with its partners, Parkwood Leisure manages 76 facilities on behalf of 42 local authorities throughout England and Wales.

Motivating change

Myzone Global Data reveals the building blocks of consistent exercise habits

Amajor new report from Myzone, the global leader in motivation technology for fitness, reveals how motivation becomes habit and how that transformation drives member retention and long-term business growth. The State of Global Exercise Behaviour 2025uncovers the patterns behind sustained motivation, habit formation and long-term member engagement, showing that longevity is now the most important motivator for today’s exercisers. Released at the recent 13th European Health & Fitness Forum (EHFF) in Cologne, the report reveals that long-term health and achievable activity levels are reshaping how and why people stay active. Crucially, it shows that consistency is not a starting point, but the result of behaviours that successfully sustain motivation over time, providing fitness operators with clear, data-backed insight into how to turn motivation into consistent exercise habits and long-term engagement.

Jay Worthy, CEO, Myzone

Drawing on anonymised and aggregated data from Myzone users across multiple countries, age groups, genders and activity types, the report offers a rare real-world perspective on how exercise fits into everyday life. Rather than focusing on performance outcomes, it examines behavioural patterns such as frequency, routine formation, intensity distribution and social engagement, revealing how long-term adherence is built in practice and how these behaviours translate into measurable member value.

At the centre of the report is the relationship between motivation and consistency. While motivation remains an important starting point, the data shows that it is only when this motivation is channelled into structured, repeatable behaviours that meaningful outcomes are achieved. Myzone users complete an average of 3.5 workouts per week, a level of consistency associated with longer membership duration, improved retention and stronger lifetime value. This reinforces the idea that sustainable engagement is not driven by intensity alone, but by the ability to embed exercise into regular routines.

The report also highlights the importance of achievable effort in maintaining this consistency.

Across all users, 87.4 per cent of activity takes place within light-to-moderate intensity ‘Habit Zones’, demonstrating that people are far more likely to sustain exercise when it feels manageable and repeatable. This pattern becomes even more pronounced with age, with users over 60 spending more than 90 per cent of their time in these zones, reflecting a shift towards longevity-focused behaviour where health, routine and repeatability take precedence over performance.

Behavioural patterns across the week further reinforce the role of routine in sustaining motivation. Monday is the most active day globally, suggesting a strong ‘fresh start’ effect that operators can leverage to anchor weekly engagement. Meanwhile, nearly 60 per cent of all workouts take place before midday, indicating that consistent exercisers are more likely to prioritise movement early in the day, embedding it into their routine before competing demands

arise. Together, these patterns show that consistency is not accidental, but the result of structured habits that can be designed and supported.

Social connection also plays a significant role in strengthening these behaviours. The report finds that users with ten or more social connections generate 47 per cent more activity than those exercising alone, underlining the importance of community in sustaining motivation and increasing overall engagement levels. As people increasingly seek both physical and social wellbeing, this sense of belonging is a powerful driver of ongoing participation.

For fitness operators, the findings point to an actionable path to driving long-term success. While attracting members may begin with motivation, sustainable growth depends on supporting individuals in turning that motivation into consistent, repeatable behaviours. When motivation is effectively sustained, engagement increases and retention naturally follows. By creating environments that prioritise routine, support achievable levels of effort and foster meaningful social connections, operators can encourage members to visit more frequently, build stronger habits and stay engaged over the long term.

As consumers increasingly arrive in clubs with their own data from wearable technology, there is also a growing opportunity for operators to align

If the industry wants to keep members engaged, it must prioritise designing for consistency and community

with this behaviour-driven approach. Supporting members to understand their activity, manage effort and build sustainable routines will be critical for individual success and creating measurable improvements in retention and lifetime value.

“This data reveals that showing up regularly is what defines real-world exercise behaviour,” says Jay Worthy, CEO of Myzone. “If the industry wants to keep members engaged, it must prioritise designing for consistency and community. When consistency is supported, motivation follows and exercise becomes something people stick with, not something they struggle to maintain.”

Jason Worthy joined Jörn Watzke, Senior Director of Garmin Health Globel Sales and Ville Uronen, Head of Sports Partnerships & Advocacy, EU, Polar on a panel at EHFF to discuss how data, wearable technology and behaviour change are shaping the future of fitness.

The State of Global Exercise Behaviour 2025 ultimately shows that lasting engagement is built through the accumulation of small, repeatable actions rather than occasional bursts of intensity. By understanding how motivation becomes habit, and how habit drives retention, the industry has a clear opportunity to design experiences that better support long-term behaviour change and sustainable business growth.

l The full report is available to download free of charge: https://www.myzone.org/global_exercise_behaviour2025

news & trends

High performance: Matrix installs gym 52 stories above London

Floating 52 stories above the capital, the Shangri-La The Shard features a luxurious wellbeing offering with spectacular views of London. The Sky Gym refurbishment included the installation of the latest, innovative cardio and strength equipment from Matrix Fitness including items from its world-leading Endurance Touch and Touch XL Console cardio range. The fully equipped Sky Gym sits alongside the Sky Sauna, which offers guests an exclusive oasis, as well as the world-renowned Sky Pool.

Balance to distribute Core Health & Fitness in Scotland

Balance, the gym equipment service, supply, and design company operating across the UK and Ireland, has been appointed as the exclusive distributor for Core Health & Fitness for Scotland.

The move marks a significant milestone in Balance’s ongoing UK expansion. The partnership gives Scottish gym and hotel operators and fitness equipment retailers access to some of the most recognised names in commercial fitness – including StairMaster, Nautilus and Schwinn.

Work begins on £24m Haden Hill Leisure Centre

Construction work will begin on the new Haden Hill Leisure Centre in Cradley Heath in April, once demolition work is completed on the old building it will replace.

The new £24m centre will feature a main swimming pool, a learner pool, two multi-purpose studios, a 100-station gym, a 27-station indoor cycling studio, a four-court sports hall and a dedicated community room. It is expected to open to the public in autumn 2027. The redevelopment of the centre –owned by Sandwell Council – is being funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Sport England and the council. The works are being delivered by Alliance Leisure, and were procured using the UK Leisure Framework, owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd. The demolition is being undertaken by contractors Speller Metcalfe.

When open, the centre will be operated by Kore Sandwell.

Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell

Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community, said: “This new community facility will benefit thousands of people’s health and activity levels and I am so looking forward to it opening to the public. It’s the sixth brand new leisure centre we will have built in Sandwell over the past decade.”

Mark Braithwaite, CEO of Kore Sandwell, said: “This is a really exciting milestone for Haden Hill and the wider community in Sandwell. The upgraded centre will be a fantastic, modern space that supports our community-lead more active lifestyles.”

During the demolition works, contractors identified higher-thanexpected levels of asbestos within parts of the building. This had not been detected in earlier surveys due to the way the centre was constructed in the 1970s. Asbestos continues to be safely removed and managed in line with strict regulations and there has been no risk to workers or the public.

Elevating wellness in hospitality

A detailed look at the Power Plate installation at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai

Wellness is no longer a secondary offering in hospitality; it is a core expectation. Today’s guests are looking for more than just luxurious surroundings; they want experiences that support their health, energy, and recovery while they travel.

At Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai, this shift is being embraced through the integration of Power Plate® technology, setting a new standard for hotel fitness.

A smarter approach to fitness

The addition of Power Plate reflects a move towards effective, results-driven wellness solutions. Using whole body vibration technology enhances strength, flexibility, and recovery in short, timeefficient sessions - ideal for guests balancing busy schedules, travel fatigue, and limited time.

Rather than simply expanding traditional gym spaces, the hotel is focused on providing wellness solutions that deliver benefits in less time, aligning closely with modern guest expectations.

High impact, small footprint

As hotels rethink their fitness environments, space efficiency is becoming increasingly important.

Power Plate offers a compact solution that supports a wide range of training styles, including:

l Strength and conditioning

l Recovery and mobility

l Flexibility and balance

This versatility allows hotels to provide a premium experience without requiring large-scale facility expansion - a key consideration for operators across EMEA.

Wellness for every guest

One of the standout benefits of the installation is its accessibility. Not every guest is an experienced gym user, and today’s wellness offering must reflect that. Power Plate caters to a broad audience, from beginners looking for simple, guided sessions to more advanced users seeking performance and recovery benefits. This inclusive approach ensures the technology enhances the experience for all guests, not just a select few.

A commitment to innovation

The installation also reinforces the hotel’s commitment to innovation and guest experience.

Frans Giezen, Partner/Director of Power Plate Gulf, said: “Integrating Power Plate into the Jumeirah Beach Hotel fitness offering has elevated the guest experience, allowing guests to access efficient, accessible training solutions that enhance their overall wellness experience.”

A wider industry shift

This project reflects a transformation across the hospitality sector and three key trends are emerging:

l Wellness as a differentiator - high-quality fitness and recovery offerings are now expected

l Efficiency over duration - guests want effective sessions that fit into their schedules

l Experience over equipment - curated, engaging wellness offerings are replacing traditional gym models

Looking ahead

The installation at Jumeirah Beach Hotel demonstrates how hotels can evolve their wellness offering to meet changing expectations. For operators across EMEA, the message is clear: the future of hospitality fitness lies in smart, accessible, and experience-led solutions.

news & trends

Transform Hub franchise to open 11 new locations

Fitness franchise, Transform Hub, designed for busy adults aged 35+, has announced it is rolling out 11 brand new locations across the UK this year.

New Transform Hub locations are set to open in Worcester, Cheltenham, Southampton, Altrincham, Hull, Cambridge, Northampton, Nottingham South, Winchester, Gosforth and Pontefract in the coming months.

Transform Hub founder James Calderbank says it is the fastestgrowing gym franchise of its kind in the UK, specialising in groupbased personal training classes.

Transform Hub gyms offer coachingled personal training within highenergy group sessions designed to help people over 30 lose weight and build strength. Members also receive individual coaching on nutrition, accountability, and lifestyle habits.

Within Transform Hub’s initial 6-Week Challenge, members typically report losing a stone. Including its 27 active gyms, Transform Hub says it has 44 franchise

Around 80% of Transform Hub members are aged 30-60

territories now signed in total and is aiming to reach 100 UK gym sites by 2028. The brand, originally founded in Preston by Calderbank and now headquartered in Cheshire, has also recently secured IP trademarks in both the US and Europe as it plans for gradual expansion overseas.

Peloton officially heads to the gym

Peloton has announced the introduction of the Peloton Commercial Series, the company’s first bike and treadmill products engineered specifically for high-traffic gym floors. The milestone marks the company’s continued evolution from a primary focus on at-home connected fitness to a leader across the full fitness and wellness ecosystem.

The Commercial Series is the latest innovation from Peloton’s Commercial Business Unit (CBU), which was established in 2025 through the integration of Precor and Peloton for Business to meet the needs of customers across the multibillion dollar global commercial fitness market.

“The introduction of the Commercial Series makes one thing very clear: Peloton is going to the gym,” said Peloton CEO Peter Stern. “We are bridging the gap between the home and the gym.”

James Calderbank, said: “When I first created Transform Hub, I saw a huge gap in the market for people to access personal training in a different way. Our members receive expert coaching around nutrition, habits and lifestyle, while also training together in high-energy group sessions.”

news & trends

£35m Highlight Active hub set for summer opening

The £35m Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub in Hartlepool is set for a summer opening, after construction of the flagship facility has entered the final fit-out stage. Located at The Waterfront within Hartlepool marina, the facility will replace the old Mill House Leisure Centre, which opened its doors in 1972 and has now reached the end of its operational life.

Designed by GT3 Architects, the centre will feature three swimming pools: a 25m eight-lane main pool, a 25m four-lane learner pool with moveable floor and a leisure pool with race slide and interactive water play features.

In addition, there will be a large health club with a 100-station gym, two inter-connected fitness studios and dedicated indoor cycling studio.

Other facilities will include active and soft play areas, function and meeting rooms, a café with panoramic seating overlooking the marina and NHS consultation

suites, built as part of a partnership with University Hospitals Tees.

Built by contractor, Wates, Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub is being funded by Hartlepool Borough Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority, and Sport England. It forms part of a larger, £160m capital regeneration

programme currently being delivered by Hartlepool Borough Council.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “People in the region deserve to have access to the very best sports facilities and Highlight stands as a shining example of how our investment is making that ambition a reality.”

PSLT launches people-focused brand campaign

PSLT has launched a year-long brand campaign designed to showcase the “true driving force behind its service excellence”. Titled “It’s All About Our People”, the initiative aims to communicate PSLT’s purpose, values, and impact, moving beyond services and systems to highlight the individuals who deliver them every single day.

The 12-month delivery plan will use dynamic video storytelling to visually and emotionally express PSLT’s commitment to reliability, partnership, and operational excellence. Through authentic, real-world content, PSLT will offer an inside look at the people who ensure facilities, services, and communities keep moving.

Stuart Martin, Commercial Director commented “Our success has always been built on the dedication, expertise and passion of our people.”

Ok - what exactly is fibodo?

If you’re asking “what the **** is ��bodo?”, you’re not alone. Even insiders in ��tness, wellness and leisure only just discovered what this 14-year-old company has been quietly building

Fibodo isn’t a start-up – it launched in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics to help people find, book and do local activities. Since then, it has processed over one million bookings across 34 sectors, working with organisations from personal trainers and golf coaches to Nordic-walking instructors and hairdressers. It has spent that time rebuilding its platform from the ground up, embedding automation and AI to make tools that once cost thousands of pounds accessible to sole traders and global brands.

The mission remains simple yet ambitious: democratise the tools needed to run and grow an experience-based business. fibodo believes technology should “give time back, not take it away”, uniting bookings, payments, customer management, memberships, content and marketing in a single ecosystem. For too long, independent businesses have bolted together separate apps for scheduling, payments, memberships, marketing and staff rotas – each taking a fee and none responsible for the whole picture. fibodo’s founders understand that time is the product: unsold minutes today can’t be sold tomorrow. So they designed a system that treats time as currency and lets people focus on what they do best.

This philosophy comes to life in CORE. Launched publicly in December 2025, CORE is the engine that brings

scheduling, client management, payments, lead generation and bookings into one simple space. Users don’t need a tech team – they can run their entire operation from a single dashboard. Providers take secure payments, manage bookings and run schedules in real time, with a built-in CRM keeping every client detail at hand. They can launch a website or app in minutes, sell memberships and vouchers, and offer on-demand or live-streamed sessions without leaving the dashboard. It’s everything you need to run a business when time is your product. CORE is just the start. fibodo has built a suite of products to meet businesses where they are. GALAXY unifies timetables, memberships and messaging in a single dashboard, making it perfect for gyms, studios and clubs. It brings operations under one roof so managers can handle schedules, staff and payments without juggling separate systems. ENTERPRISE is the multi-site platform that lets large operators build and scale their own marketplaces, manage thousands of providers and automate compliance while unlocking growth with AI-powered insights and lead generation. It’s designed for franchises, corporate wellness schemes and any network where standardisation and scale are critical. PULSAR powers the online, on-demand and live-streaming side, allowing creators and businesses to create, stream and monetise live or on-demand experiences with

WHEN YOU MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO DELIVER WHAT THEY LOVE, EVERYONE BENEFITS – ECONOMICALLY, SOCIALLY AND SUSTAINABLY

seamless playback, scheduling and revenue tracking. For big organisations, the idea is radical: treat time as the most precious inventory. A lost hour in a studio or an empty slot in a salon can never be resold. ENTERPRISE transforms multi-site operations into a single real-time ecosystem. Real-time data ensures no empty slot goes unsold and no client gets turned away. Organisations can run timetables, memberships, payments, staff scheduling and messaging from one dashboard. Instead of chasing payments or fixing booking errors, managers can focus on delivering exceptional experiences. When time is your product, this is the difference between standing still and growing. fibodo’s reach extends beyond commerce. Launching in September 2026, fibodo is working with NHS Trusts and fitness industry leaders to create The Everything App, a wellbeing platform for NHS staff and their families. Powered by fibodo’s technology, the app will offer on-demand, live-streamed and in-person fitness and wellbeing sessions. Already adopted by 175 NHS Trusts (and growing), it is designed to help health workers stay active, support staff wellbeing, and contribute to reducing sickness absence.. Providers offer discounted services through the app, giving them access to a hard-to-reach audience. It’s an example of how commercial technology can serve public good. The company’s impact is as

much social as it is technical. fibodo was born from a belief that when you make it easier for people to deliver what they love, everyone benefits – economically, socially and sustainably. By keeping technology simple and fairly priced, fibodo aims to keep the community pound local, create job opportunities in health and education, and reduce environmental impact by cutting travel and waste. CORE users can plug into fibodo’s growing partner network, including The Everything App, to find new clients without expensive marketing.

The team behind fibodo have lived the problems they’re solving. Anthony Franklin is the founder and CEO, having steered the company from its 2012 origins to its 2026 relaunch. He’s joined by Jake Shand, James Murphy and Leslie Clarke, who have helped refine the platform based on real user feedback. Together they have the credibility of industry veterans and the urgency of entrepreneurs.

So what is fibodo? It’s not another short-lived booking app. It’s a company that has quietly spent 14 years reinventing technology for the leisure, wellness and fitness sectors. It gives power and money back to operators, from solo practitioners to global chains, by providing tools once reserved for the wealthy. As fibodo rolls out globally in 2026, the better question might be: why haven’t we heard of fibodo sooner? l www.fibodo.com

insight

UK Fitness Market Report 2026:

The big trends

Dr Matthew Wade, Head of Research at ukactive, charts the headline findings from the UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026. The report shows how the sector is now worth a record £7.5bn

It’s been an incredible year for the UK’s health and fitness sector. As presented in the UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026, we’ve seen growth for the sector as a whole, record numbers of members, and provided a greater understanding of key drivers behind this growth.

Now in its second year, the report presented quarterly trends from across the sector, providing a unique view of performance and consumer behaviour in the UK. It really is a product of true collaboration, bringing together data from ukactive, Sport England, and 4GLOBAL, with analysis by Grant Thornton. We’ve been supported by headline sponsors Matrix and BLKBOX and contributing sponsors Precor and Technogym, as well as receiving input from operators, suppliers, analysts, and subject experts.

These insights, combined with data on recorded customer visits across the UK’s public, private and independent fitness facilities, make this report the sector’s most authoritative source of market intelligence.

What did we learn this year?

For the first time, the report presented a combined sector estimation of the attributable social value generated through health and fitness activities – an incredible £7.5bn. This 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.

Across the sector we’re seeing continued growth, with 18% of the population now members of a health and fitness club, reflecting an increase of about 1% every year since data collection began. This is being achieved in various ways.

The public sector

In the public sector, we saw a continuation of filling the capacity within the clubs by increasing the members per club. While there was a modest growth in clubs, the increase in members coupled with increase in throughput saw growth in membership and total income. Increases in income were seen across the sector as a response to increased operational costs, but for the public sector the combination of wider activities within memberships and the ability to generate greater non-membership income through flexible offers play an important role in supporting inclusive access and the overall commercial resilience of public leisure facilities

The

private sector

The private sector saw growth primarily driven by expanding the number of clubs, which in turn increased membership and associated income. There continues to be a diversity to the offering provided by the private sector through flexible high-value, low-cost options capitalising on rising demand from increasingly price sensitive consumers, through to midmarket operators elevating their value proposition by balancing affordability with experience, breadth of service and overall quality, and the premium-end operators are broadening and strengthening their propositions in response to a growing appetite for holistic wellbeing experiences.

The independent sector

Independent operators also saw a modest increase in clubs but maintained overall members. However, those members visited more frequently and generated more income, with the largest increase in membership income per member. This demonstrates the ability of the

independent sector to drive value even without substantial membership expansion, with pricing primarily seen as a response to operational challenges from rising cost pressures, rather than a shift toward premium positioning.

Wider trends

This performance has been shaped by six key trends developed through ukactive’s consumer survey, extensive stakeholder engagement, and desktop research. Gyms and leisure centres are increasingly functioning as hubs that anchor wider activity routines, with rising membership penetration both strengthening operator performance and expanding population-level physical activity.

Engagement, however, varies significantly across demographics, underscoring the need for targeted, inclusive, and responsive offers. While operators, especially in public leisure, are broadening their healthrelated services, inconsistent pathways, and lagging consumer perceptions limit impact, highlighting the

need for clearer referrals, stronger clinical collaboration and more visible, confidence-building health offers.

At the same time, operators remain cautious about rapid trend adoption, emphasising innovations that deliver long-term member value, often led by independents who test concepts at smaller scale.

Cost pressures are reshaping behaviours on both sides of the market, making affordability, clear value communication, and tailored pricing increasingly central to sustaining engagement. Finally, the strongest retention outcomes now come from a hybrid approach where human connection, behavioural support and wellintegrated technology work together to help members feel confident, supported and valued from the outset.

So, what next? As well as continuing to work collaboratively with our report partners and ukactive members to expand our data collection and insights produced, we’ll also be using the evidence produced within this report to ensure our sector is at the heart of national conversations.

To read the UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026, visit: https://ukactive.com/resources/uk-health-fitness-market-report-2026/

GOING STRONG

Output Sports delivers elite strength performance training and tracking to the everyday athlete

While the market is already rich with tools to track cardiovascular performance,

Output Sports is pioneering a new category focused on measuring strength, power and movement.

By enabling coaches and trainers to accurately measure strength, velocity and power in real time, Output Sports seamlessly connects testing, monitoring and program design within a single, unified workflow. By translating the principles of velocity-based training (VBT), long established in elite sport, into scalable, everyday practice, personal trainers and coaches operating in commercial gyms can deliver a level of integrated performance insight previously only available in high-performance environments.

Output Sports captures the metrics that truly underpin strength and functional performance. Crucially, it does so in a way that is both scientifically rigorous and commercially viable, positioning the company not just as an innovator, but as a market leader.

From elite sport to everyday performance

Founded in 2020, Output Sports is built on scientific credibility. Developed by CEO Martin O’Reilly and COO Darragh Whelan through research at University College Dublin, the platform is grounded in PhDlevel sports science and extensive real-world data.

Having refined the technology in high-performance environments, the company is now turning its focus to enabling elite performance in commercial gyms.

“Output was built to simplify performance data and make it actionable,” says O’Reilly. “The opportunity now is to bring that same clarity to a much wider audience.”

One system, multiple insights

At the core of Output Sport’s offering is a single portable sensor paired with an integrated software platform, enabling coaches and operators to test, monitor and program strength, power, movement and muscular endurance in one unified system.

Replacing multiple tools reduces cost and complexity while centralising all performance data and programming in one place.

For coaches, this means evidence-based tracking that validates decisions and delivers real-time feedback, clearly demonstrating progress to clients.

For operators, it provides a scalable system to standardise coaching, evidence results and deliver a premium, data-driven experience across the gym floor.

For members, training shifts from guesswork to clarity, with every session tracked, feedback on every set, every improvement measured and progress visible via a single app.

Smarter training through velocity

Velocity-based training (VBT) sits at the heart of the system. By using movement speed to assess effort, fatigue and readiness in real time, training intensity can adapt to the individual rather than relying on fixed loads or repetitions.

“Output Sports delivers what modern gyms need: a scalable way to prove results, elevate coaching and turn training into a measurable, high-value experience” Output Sports CEO, Martin O’Reilly

The result is more precise, personalised training that improves performance while helping reduce injury risk.

For members, this means clearer progress, higher engagement and training that reflects how their body is performing on any given day, an approach that is fast becoming a key differentiator as demand for performance and longevity grows.

Unlocking engagement at scale

What sets Output Sports apart is not just its accuracy, but its scalability. Its coaching platform, Hub, is designed to power entire gym floors with structured, data-led training, enabling high-quality small group sessions where every member receives individualised feedback.

For operators, this unlocks a powerful model: premium coaching delivered at scale, without compromising quality. Integrated screens and leaderboards add a competitive, high-energy layer that drives effort, builds community and increases retention.

As one London-based strength and conditioning coach puts it: “You can run a high-energy session, but still give every individual meaningful data.”

Why Output Sports and why now

The rise in popularity of fitness races such as HYROX and a hunger for instant feedback data from a myriad of wearable devices has created a more informed and motivated member base, keen to understand the impact of their training effort.

Today’s gym-goers expect structure, feedback and measurable progress. They want to understand how their training is improving performance and impacting long-term health. Output Sports meets this demand head on. Having proven its technology in elite environments and recently been announced the HYROX365 Athlete Testing and Benchmarking Partner, the company is now bringing a validated solution to a commercial market that is ready for it, solving a critical gap: not just collecting data, but making it instantly usable on the gym floor.

l Output Sports will be attending Elevate at London Excel, June 17-18, 2026. To book a product demonstration either at the show or virtually, please visit: outputsports.com

Q1 2026: A market in motion, but not moving together

he UK fitness market entered 2026 with no shortage of activity, with more than 550 individual developments recorded across Q1, covering openings, closures, planning applications, refurbishments and contract changes.

At face value, data from LeisureDB suggests momentum, but when you look more closely at how that activity breaks down, a different picture emerges, with planning-related updates alone accounting for more than 130 developments across the quarter, while contract changes and extensions add a further significant layer of movement, and by comparison openings sit closer to 30-40 sites, with closures remaining a consistent feature throughout.

Taken together, this points to a market that isn’t being driven by new supply, but by ongoing change within the estate that already exists.

LOOKING BEYOND OPENINGS

New gyms are still opening, particularly among established private operators, with brands such as PureGym, JD Gyms and The Gym Group continuing to expand and shape supply, however across Q1 fewer than one in fifteen tracked developments relate to new openings, with planning activity, refurbishment and contract changes making up the majority of movement.

This matters because it changes how local markets evolve, as seen in several locations across the quarter where contract transitions are followed by rapid repositioning, whether through refurbishment,

pricing changes or programming shifts, with operators such as Everyone Active, Places Leisure and GLL often involved across multi-site contracts covering five or more facilities at a time.

From a consumer perspective, the experience can shift materially even though no new facility has been added, and from a market perspective that is meaningful change, but it isn’t captured if the focus remains on openings alone.

FROM EXPANSION TO REDISTRIBUTION

Looking across the underlying dataset, the dominant pattern is not expansion, but redistribution, with contract-related developments accounting for close to 100+ recorded events across the quarter, highlighting the extent to which sites are changing hands or being restructured, alongside this refurbishment and upgrade activity runs into several dozen sites, forming a consistent layer of investment across both private and public operators.

In practice, this can take different forms, in one case a local authority portfolio changes operator and triggers upgrades across multiple sites, in another a single gym moves through closure and redevelopment before reopening under a new brand, and in both scenarios the competitive impact is immediate, even though no new site has been added.

The net effect is a market where control is shifting, often quietly, with a single contract award capable of reshaping provision across an entire area and altering competitive dynamics without new development.

Planning activity remains the single largest category of developments tracked in Q1, however only a fraction of these translate into confirmed openings within the same period

DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE MARKET, DIFFERENT REALITIES

The data also highlights a growing divergence between operator groups, with private operators accounting for a minority of total activity overall, but a disproportionate share of new openings and forward pipeline, reinforcing their role as the primary drivers of net new supply.

By contrast, well over half of all tracked developments sit within the public sector, but are largely driven by contract movement rather than expansion, meaning activity is high, but growth is limited.

550 developments during the quarter

134 sites had significant planning updates in Q1

Among independents, the picture is more mixed, with closures continuing to edge ahead of openings across the segment overall, although there are clear examples of operators investing in niche formats or repositioning sites, resulting in a segment that is increasingly polarised, with performance varying significantly across the market. Taken together, this is a sector that is no longer moving in a single direction, but diverging, with different operator types responding to the same conditions in different ways.

33 new facility openings during the quarter

Refurbishment remains high both in the public and private sectors

Planning remains the primary driver of market activity

Independents (Single-Site Operators) is under with closures currently outpacing new openings

THE REALITY BEHIND THE PIPELINE

Planning activity remains the single largest category of developments tracked in Q1, however only a fraction of these translate into confirmed openings within the same period, with more than 130 planning-related developments recorded, but only a small proportion progressing to delivery within the quarter itself.

Many represent existing pipeline advancing through stages rather than entirely new schemes, while others involve conversions or redevelopment of existing facilities, and across the dataset there are multiple examples of projects moving forward on paper without clear short-term delivery timelines.

This creates a pipeline that is real, but uneven, with future competition building, but not consistently across all locations, and not always at the pace headline figures might suggest.

UNDERSTANDING CHANGE AT SITE LEVEL

Perhaps the most important insight from Q1 is how change is actually happening on the ground, with refurbishments, upgrades and repositioning recorded across dozens of sites, forming a

consistent layer of activity throughout the quarter, alongside clear examples of sites moving through sequences of change rather than single events.

A facility may close temporarily, reopen following refurbishment, and continue to evolve through incremental investment, while elsewhere operators are introducing new formats such as padel, with over a dozen padel-related developments tracked across Q1, or expanding wellness and recovery areas to reposition their offer.

Individually, these changes can appear incremental, but when tracked over time they reveal how facilities are being reshaped and how local competitive dynamics are shifting, and this is where much of the real movement in the market sits.

A MARKET IN THE PROCESS OF REBALANCING

Taken together, openings, closures and contract changes point to a market where movement is high, but net new supply remains relatively modest, with openings and closures broadly offsetting one another across the quarter, resulting in a market that is rebalancing rather than expanding rapidly.

Growth is still present, particularly among private operators, but it is increasingly concentrated, while pressure persists in parts of the market, most notably among independents and within segments of the public sector, with a large share of activity focused on reshaping existing estates.

For operators, investors and suppliers, this makes the market more complex to interpret, as traditional indicators such as openings and pipelines still provide useful signals, but no longer tell the full story.

What Q1 ultimately highlights is the importance of looking beyond snapshots, as much of the real movement in the UK fitness market is happening beneath the surface

LOOKING BENEATH THE SURFACE

What Q1 ultimately highlights is the importance of looking beyond snapshots, as much of the real movement in the UK fitness market is happening beneath the surface, through sequences of change that only become clear when viewed over time, with tracking at site level, month by month, offering a clearer view of how the market is evolving, where competition is intensifying, and where opportunities may emerge next.

For those making strategic decisions, whether that is expansion, investment or partnership, having visibility of these patterns is increasingly important, and increasingly difficult to build through ad hoc research alone.

Leisure DB’s Monthly Market Tracker is designed to provide that visibility, building a continuously updated, site-level view of the UK fitness market, and for readers looking to explore the data behind this analysis in more detail, the full tracker is now available for only £99 +VAT a month subscription, with a recent Q1 webinar also exploring these themes in greater depth and providing additional context on how the data can be applied in practice.

The Future of Ice Baths is Automatic

As demand for cold water immersion continues to grow, CET CryoSpas is helping commercial operators future-proof their recovery offering through automation, remote monitoring, and smarter ice bath technology designed speci��cally for high-use ��tness and wellness environments

Cold water immersion has moved beyond the elite athlete’s toolkit and ice baths are rapidly becoming a core fixture in leisure spaces.

Operators who have begun integrating ice baths into their facilities are quickly discovering that the baths demand water quality management, temperature control, and bather load management. Without the right infrastructure, hygiene and consistency suffer.

CET has spent over 20 years manufacturing commercial ice baths, building a reputation as one of the leading names in the sector. It now brings new innovation to the market, with smarter, more efficient solutions that reduce operational burden and improve member experience.

Built for commercial use

Consumer-grade ice bath products are not inherently flawed - they are simply designed for a different context. In a home setting, a single user, infrequent sessions and manual maintenance are entirely manageable. Transplant that same product into a gym environment, and the picture changes quickly. High daily usage, variable bather loads and the expectation of consistent hygiene standards push consumer products beyond their operational limits. Commercial operators need systems that withstand sustained use, maintain hygiene standards, and integrate into professional facility operations.

Smarter technology

CET’s latest innovation takes automation to a new level. Fully automated system controls now allow operators to remotely schedule and manage the complete maintenance cycle of their ice baths - including backwashing, emptying, and refilling - without any manual on-site intervention. These tasks can now be programmed to run at off-peak hours, overnight, or on a schedule that suits the facility’s operational needs.

Digital controls and remote monitoring extend this intelligence further still. For multi-site operators, a single dashboard represents a significant operational advantage. Issues can be resolved before affecting members. Maintenance becomes planned rather than reactive.

Better experience for operators and members

The cumulative effect of these innovations is felt in two places. For site teams, the maintenance burden is substantially reduced. The system runs within defined parameters, reducing the need for constant oversight. For members, the result is a more consistent, premium recovery experience. Water quality is reliably maintained. The experience reflects the operator’s investment — and that increasingly matters. As wellness continues to grow as a differentiator in the fitness and hospitality sectors, members are more discerning about the quality of recovery facilities. Technology-led systems will become the standard, not the exception.

Supporting safe cold water immersion

Equipment alone is not enough. Cold water immersion is a physiologically significant intervention, and the staff supporting members through it need to understand what is happening in the body.

CET’s CIMSPA-endorsed training course gives site teams exactly that grounding. Covering the physiology of cold water immersion alongside practical protocols for member safety, the course equips staff with the confidence to support users safely and maximise recovery benefits. It is a recognition that the best wellness facilities are not simply those with the best equipment, but those where education and innovation work together - delivering experiences that are safer, more credible, and more impactful for every member who steps in. www.cetcryospas.com

World CommercialLeading Ice Baths

Delivering exceptional cold water experiences to commercial sport, fitness and wellness organisations since 2002

Beautifully bespoke for your facility

Fully automatic or remote controlled

Advanced filtration and high performance chillers

Elevate at 10

The Elevate trade show will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year.

Lucy Findlay Beale, Elevate’s event director, speaks to WellNation about how the show has evolved into the UK’s leading trade event for physical activity – and how it has evolved to match the sector’s needs

Elevate was launched in 2016 – what were the goals for the show?

When we launched Elevate back in 2016, the ambition was always to create something that genuinely belonged to the industry. From day one, we worked closely with partners and trade associations to shape the event, rather than imposing a top-down agenda. It was really important to me that Elevate reflected the full breadth of the physical activity sector, not just fitness in isolation, but the wider ecosystem. We wanted to bring together operators, coaches, instructors, healthcare professionals, educators, suppliers and policymakers in one place. Ultimately, the goal was to create a space where the people and organisations best placed to get more people active could come together, share ideas and explore a way to work together to achieve a collective goal to get more people , more active, more often. That sense of ownership and collaboration is still at the heart of Elevate today.

How has show grown over the years?

The growth of Elevate has been incredibly organic, which is something I’m really proud of. We welcomed around 2,500 attendees in our first year at Olympia, and we’re now seeing around 6,500 through the doors at Excel, London. That growth has come from the industry itself, with professionals bringing more colleagues each year. It reflects the role the event now plays as a key connector, educator and innovation showcase.

We’ve expanded to around 8,000 square metres of exhibition space, with more than 200 suppliers, while our education programme now features 200+ expert speakers across multiple theatres.

A big part of that evolution has been our partnerships, particularly our long-term relationship with Future Fit as our Education Partner. What began as a smaller presence has grown into a strategic collaboration shaping the quality and relevance of our education programme, with a shared focus on professional standards and workforce development.

The event has always evolved in line with industry needs, which is why the growth has felt both natural and sustainable.

What have been the biggest challenges Elevate has faced?

Like many in-person events, the Covid years were a huge challenge, and the recovery period that followed brought its own complexities as everyone adapted and focused on building back.

Alongside that, we’ve had to navigate ongoing operating price increases and a broader sense of global uncertainty, which inevitably impacted planning and confidence across the industry.

That said, what’s been incredibly reassuring is the strength of the sector itself. The physical activity industry has shown real resilience and longevity. There’s a strong sense of purpose across the sector, and we’re proud to represent and support a community that continues to move forward despite external pressures.

One of the most unique aspects of this year has been balancing the excitement of Elevate’s 10-year anniversary with becoming a first-time mum. It’s certainly been a busy chapter, but in many ways the two have complemented each other, both are about growth, learning, and building something meaningful for the future. It’s given me a fresh perspective on priorities, resilience, and the importance of community, all of which are at the heart of Elevate. Rather than a challenge, I’ve seen it as a reminder of why the work we do matters, and it’s made this milestone year feel even more special.

The physical activity industry has shown real resilience and longevity. There’s a strong sense of purpose across the sector, and we’re proud to represent and support a community that continues to move forward despite external pressures

Are there key themes that have flowed throughout the decade?

One of the most consistent themes has been the link between physical activity and health. What was once a talking point is now widely accepted and embedded across the industry.

We’ve also seen a shift towards higher standards and stronger education. Professional development and workforce quality are now much higher on the agenda, supported by the incredible work of CIMSPA and its partners. This is something we continue to champion through Future Fit and our wider programme.

More recently, themes like longevity, recovery, rehabilitation and broader wellness have come to the forefront, reflecting both consumer demand and the sector’s growing role in public health.

What will be new for this year’s show?

For our 10th anniversary, we’ve focused on evolving the experience while staying true to what makes Elevate special, celebrating progress while setting the direction for the next decade. The education programme remains central. Delivered with Future Fit, it will feature 200+ sessions across our curated theatres: Debate, Generate, Accelerate and Collaborate, covering commercial growth, health, performance and community impact.

New for 2026, each theatre will be hosted by a leading industry figure to create more engaging discussions and interactions. We’re also introducing Legacy Sessions, bringing back speakers from 2016 to revisit key themes and explore how they’ve evolved.

On the exhibition side, we’re launching a 10-Year Exhibitor Trail with Intelligent Health. Inspired by the Beat the Street programme, it will encourage attendees to explore the show

The education programme remains central. Delivered with Future Fit, it will feature 200+ sessions across our curated theatres: Debate, Generate, Accelerate and Collaborate

floor via interactive ‘Beat Box’ locations at long-standing exhibitor stands, recognising loyal partners who have supported Elevate every year, while driving engagement.

Wellbeing is also a key focus. We’ll be building in movement and mindfulness breaks between sessions, including sessions led by Derrick Evans MBE, better known as ‘Mr Motivator’, courtesy of Innerva, encouraging delegates to stay active and recharge.

We run the marketing and sales. You run the club.

6 week on site member acquisition campaigns for gyms, hotel gyms and leisure centres. Average result: 225 new members. Built for clubs ready to grow.

Alongside this, a strong mix of returning brands and first-time exhibitors, plus dedicated networking spaces, will ensure delegates can learn, connect and discover new ideas efficiently.

What does the future look like for the show?

Looking ahead, the focus is on continuing to grow with the sector and staying aligned to its needs. Elevate has always been about connection and collaboration, and that will remain central.

The convergence of fitness, healthcare and wellbeing presents a major opportunity and Elevate has a key role to play in bringing those worlds together.

Education will remain a priority, with our partnership with Future Fit ensuring we continue delivering high-quality, accessible learning that caters for level of the workforce.

This anniversary isn’t just about looking back, it’s about looking forwards and preparing for the future

We’re also focused on attracting the next generation of professionals and strengthening collaboration across the sector. Elevate should be the place where the entire physical activity industry comes together to connect, explore and grow.

For me, it’s about making sure the show not only reflects the industry as it is today, but helps to shape a more connected and collaborative future, designed for growth and prosperity. This anniversary isn’t just about looking back, it’s about looking forwards and preparing for the future.

l To book your place at the 2026 Elevate show, visit: elevatearena.com

Elevate 2026

As Elevate marks ten years since its launch in 2016, the 2026 edition is both a celebration and a statement of intent for the future of physical activity

What began as an ambition to bring together the fitness, sport, physical activity and therapy sectors has grown into the UK’s flagship industry event – a trusted meeting place for leaders, innovators and practitioners committed to improving the nation’s health and wellbeing. A decade on, our world looks very different. Collaboration is stronger, standards are higher, and the connection between physical activity and overall wellbeing has never been more central to how we live. From community-based prevention pathways to rehabilitation programs, our role in shaping healthier, happier communities is clearer and more influential than ever.

Elevate remains the standout event for education & professional development in our sector

Rob

Johnson, Founder and CEO of Future Fit

Elevate 2026 will honour this progress through dedicated Legacy Sessions that will revisit key themes and speakers from our 2016 programme, reflecting on how far we’ve come and what lies ahead. We will also be showcasing a 10-Year Exhibitor Trail recognising the brands that have exhibited every single year, alongside the many returning partners and first timers.

This anniversary isn’t just about reflecting, it’s about accelerating what comes next. Together we will define the next decade of physical activity.

FUTURE FIT EXTENDS EDUCATION

PARTNERSHIP THROUGH TO 2027

Future Fit will continue in its official capacity as Elevate’s Education Partner. First formalised in 2022, the partnership has developed into an impactful collaboration in the sector, playing a key role in advancing the quality and relevance of industry education across the UK.

What began for Future Fit in 2019 as a small exhibition presence has since matured into a longterm strategic relationship, underpinned by a shared focus on developing the workforce and championing professional learning. Through the disruption of the

A look at the four curated Elevate theatres and the topics they will cover over the two days

DEBATE

The headline stage features only horizon topics; the discussions transcending public and private sector, operator and supplier. Topics will explore everything from AI and systems leadership to active aging and the future of fitness education. Future Trends is back - and even better - and will see the return of Routes to the C-Suite, looking at the career journeys of senior fitness execs.

GENERATE

The people, passion and products driving the business of physical activity

ACCELERATE

Science-backed insights into living a healthier life

DAY 1 AM

Building strong foundations: Exploring brand and identity, customer experience metrics and how to get your gym start-up right.

DAY 1 PM

Exploring emerging opportunities: How to identify and monetise new opportunities - exploring everything from the padel boom to the impact of weight-loss jabs.

DAY 2 AM

People and purpose: Looking at workforce evolution and skills, corporate wellness and new metrics for examining consumer feedback.

DAY 2 PM

Pricing and process: Identifying best pricing strategies, efficient membership journeys and what it takes to become a B-Corp operation. .

DAY 1 AM

Enhancing performance: Exploring mindset and motivation, what we can learn from elite performers and snapshot insights on creatine, breathing and biomechanics.

DAY 1 PM

Promoting recovery: What’s the next big thing in recovery, how wearables and AI are changing the recovery landscape and snapshot insights on sleep, nutrition and red-light therapy.

DAY 2 AM

Lifecycle fitness: Understanding how hormonal fluctuations and life stage transitions impact exercise response, recovery, and long-term health outcomes

DAY 2 PM

Introducing the Beyond Reps movement: Moving beyond performance and building a human-centred wellbeing industry, these sessions consider what it takes to flourish as a human.

COLLABORATE

A showcase for partnership, inclusion, and innovation in engagement

DAY 1 AM

Moving more: Insights into collaborative approaches to driving greater participation and engagement in physical activity.

DAY 1 PM

Moving together: Innovation and sharing of best practice in effective partnership work.

DAY 2 AM

The Power of Place: Exploring the impact of environment on participation and accessibility.

DAY 2 PM

The Power of Tech: Examining how AI, digital tech and VR are reshaping engagement and reaching new audiences.

EVENT PREVIEW

LEGACY PARTNERS

Several brands have supported the event consistently for the past 10 years. They are:

l Active IQ

l CIMSPA

l DFC - now Xplor

l Gantner

l Inbody

l Jordan

l JPL

l Myzone

l Origin

l Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)

l STA

l The Hygiene Company

“I’ve been attending Elevate for the last 10 years and have loved being able to contribute to discussions and the programme, as well as showcasing our services and sponsoring various elements of the show. I’m sure the next 10 years will be even more successful than the last, as the show builds on what has been created by Lucy and the team.”

Sarah Watts, CEO, Alliance Leisure

pandemic and beyond, Future Fit demonstrated its long-term commitment to the event, becoming Elevate’s inaugural Education Partner in 2022 and contributing consistently to its evolution.

Future Fit will once again lead on content across all four of Elevate’s core education theatres, take part in broader industry conversations, and retain a strong on-site presence throughout the show. This year, Future Fit will host a large lounge area where speakers and VIPS are invited to relax, prepare for meetings and presentations, whilst enjoying refreshments and the company of the Future Fit team.

Rob Johnson, Founder and CEO of Future Fit, comments: “Elevate remains the standout event for education and professional development in our sector. We’re incredibly proud to be part of its 10th anniversary and to continue working with the Elevate team on a partnership built around shared values, high standards and meaningful learning experiences for fitness professionals.”

ELEVATE CURATED THEATRES

Central to Elevate’s commitment to championing innovation and raising standards across the sector, the 2026 programme will once again be free to attend and will give delegates access to more than 200 speakers in a full agenda of expert-led sessions across four curated theatres: Debate, Generate, Accelerate and Collaborate.

New for 2026, each of the four curated theatres will be hosted by an industry specialist, adding their insight to content, introducing panels, posing questions and encouraging audience engagement. Hosts will be named nearer to the event.

Also new for 2026, the education programme will be peppered with thought-provoking Legacy Sessions – a reappraisal of topics first tackled in the inaugural 2016 event – some featuring the same speakers who addressed the audiences 10 years ago. A real chance to reflect on how far the industry has come in the past decade – and to share views on where the next 10 years will take it. Delegates will also see some of the event’s most popular speakers return to the stage, including Sarah Watts (CEO, Alliance Leisure), Tara Dillon (CEO, CIMSPA), David Stalker (Chair, ukactive), Davina Deniszczyc (Medical Director, Nuffield Health) and Katherine Knight (Director, Intelligent Health). These experts will be delivering content on a wide range of topics designed to spark conversation, share best practice and explore the ideas and trends influencing the future of physical activity.

EXTERNAL CONTRIBUTORS

Elevate will welcome back three external education partners, each returning with enhanced content programmes and renewed momentum for this year’s event.

Active Aquatics will once again take centre stage with a dedicated theatre, curated in partnership with STA, RLSS and Swim England. The programme will deliver a blend of strategic perspective and hands-on learning, designed to support the development, safety and longterm sustainability of aquatic activity across the UK.

Now in its fifth year at Elevate, the Third Space Academy will continue to provide high-impact, practical education aimed at developing personal trainers and coaches at every stage of their professional journey.

“We’re proud to have been part of Elevate for 10 years. It’s always a great chance to meet new and existing customers, deliver meaningful workshops, and showcase our services. It’s the key moment each year to connect with the whole sector and network with leading suppliers and providers.”

Jo Talbot, Commercial Director, RLSS UK

STRENGTH THAT NEVER COMPROMISES

The Nautilus Belt Squat unlocks powerful glute and quad activation, while the Standing Calf refines lower leg strength and symmetry with full-range calf development. Together, they deliver biomechanics, durability, and versatility that form a key component of any strength zone. Built to drive true performance and balanced aesthetics, this pairing supports member goals, boosts retention, and ensures lasting results for your facility.

Returning for a third consecutive year, Technogym will share its latest expertise through a series of expertled sessions hosted directly from its stand, highlighting innovation across movement, health and performance.

Together, these partner-led theatres will play a key role in strengthening Elevate’s industryleading education offering, working alongside the four Curated Theatres to create a comprehensive learning programme across both days of the event

GET ACTIVE AT ELEVATE

This year, Elevate will be working with a team of partners to deliver strategically placed mindfulness and movement breaks between education sessions. We all know it’s not healthy to sit for long periods so this year we will be encouraging people to take time out between sessions to focus on their physical and mental wellbeing. Obviously, another great way to get some steps in is to walk the large exhibition floor!

NETWORKING

VENUE: Excel London (Halls S1 - S3)

DATE: June 17-18, 2026

OPEN TIMES: Wednesday 9.30am – 5.30pm Thursday 9.30am – 4.30pm

Connection sits at the heart of Elevate. Bringing together friends, colleagues and new contacts to exchange ideas, spark conversation and build meaningful partnerships is a core part of the event experience. To actively encourage collaboration, Elevate provides two spacious networking lounges designed for informal meetings, presentations or simply a moment to recharge after exploring the expansive exhibition floor. These dedicated spaces create a relaxed environment where conversations turn into opportunities.

The Networking Hub will be hosted by sponsors Myzone, Alliance Leisure, Inspace, Wattbike, Active IQ, Xn Leisure, Love Recruitment, Orbit4 and ProInsight. There is also a more casual catering space where all attendees can grab a coffee and catch up!