78% of UK gym operators report strong or moderate growth

The recently released Fitness Industry Growth Report 2027 shows how the industry is expanding around the world. Here, we reveal the biggest insights from gym operators across the UK.

The fitness industry in the UK has witnessed positive growth in recent years. ukactive reported that revenue rose to £6.5 billion in 2025 (up from £5.7 billion in 2024) with 12.2 million people holding memberships. That means approximately 18% of over-16s in the UK – increasing from 14.6% in 2022.

Xplor’s Growth Stories research – with findings published in the Fitness Industry Growth Report – surveyed 106 UK gym operators. An impressive 78% reported having seen strong or moderate growth over the last 3 years. And 69% of multi-site operators have opened new locations in the same period.

On the surface, these stats tell an incredibly positive story. Digging deeper, the research tells a more complicated story – one about rising costs, staffing struggles, and overall caution.

In this article, we explore the insights from gym operators around the UK in more detail – revealing why the winners are those operators building the operational foundation to expand sustainably.

Let’s get stuck in!

Growth is clear to see

Close to 7 in 10 UK gym operators have opened a new location in the last 3 years – 42% of these expanding businesses opened 2 or more new locations in that period.

Most (90%) built a new club from scratch. That’s more places to train, supporting industry growth overall.

Even for those who haven’t opened new locations, the entrepreneurial appetite of the industry has paid off. Nearly 4 in 5 UK gym operators reported strong (35%) or moderate (43%) growth. In fact, just 1% reported business decline over the last 3 years.

The growth experienced by the majority ultimately comes down to a mix of factors that have converged to drive excellent results. Marketing, group fitness classes, and operational efficiencies are doing the heaviest lifting, while personal training and retention are also playing a role in growth for many.

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It’s worth noting that for UK gym operators, operational efficiencies are more likely to be driving growth than for operators elsewhere in the world. A signal that it’s not always the most exciting things that drive growth – tightening up the back office can directly translate into results.

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Getting the basics right when it comes to members – with the right mix of membership options (and pricing) and the right member experience – has paid off for many UK gym operators. 77% say memberships are one of their fastest growing revenue streams.

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Growth is getting harder to achieve

On the other side of the success story is cost. 70% of UK gym operators say winning new members is now more expensive than it was a few years ago – 26% say it’s much higher.

High acquisition costs are pushing operators to lean on lower spend acquisition channels.

Almost 1 in 3 name referrals as the most reliable way of attracting new members, while almost a quarter are seeing organic marketing channels perform best.

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Staffing is another headache. For those who’ve opened a new location in the last 3 years, 67% said recruiting qualified staff was a challenge – this was a little ahead of finding the right location.

Raising capital and maintaining consistency across locations came in joint third place to round out the biggest challenges operators faced with openings. Growth is no longer about opening doors – you need to have the people, systems, and processes to match.

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Ambition comes with caution

Given the pressures faced, growth plans are more conservative for the years to come. 39% plan to open a new location in the next 1 to 2 years – 25% are still thinking about it.

Of those planning to expand by opening new locations, nearly half have plans to open just 1 new site – a measured approach to growth.

What’s driving the decision to open (or not to open) new locations? Capital is the dominant reason why. 27% of operators surveyed are being driven or held back by the availability of capital. Plus, a further 22% are paying close attention to market conditions.

Given that operating costs have consistently risen in recent years and that global uncertainty remains, this cost focus is understandable. In fact, separately, when asked what’s limiting growth overall, 27% of gym operators said capital.

And when it comes to pursuing growth overall, many are focused on doing it on their own terms. 54% favour self-funded, reinvested profit growth over the next 3 to 5 years.

Gym operators in the UK aren’t short on ambition. They’re deliberate about how growth is funded and managed after watching costs rise around them.

What’s working

With growth comes competition and it’s no surprise that the fitness industry in the UK is pretty competitive. When asked what local competitive edge they lean on, 63% differentiate through member experience, service, or niche positioning.

Beyond this, more operators are focused on retention and introducing new services or revenue than they are on competing on price.

That’s a meaningful shift in mindset. When new members cost more than ever to win, protecting the ones you have is an increasingly important growth strategy.

The report paints an encouraging picture of a UK fitness sector that remains ambitious, resilient and capable of strong growth, despite the very real pressures created by rising costs, recruitment challenges and more expensive member acquisition.

What stands out is that operators are becoming increasingly considered about how they grow, with greater focus on building strong foundations, retaining members and delivering sustainable, long-term value.

Local competition does not have to restrict growth. In many cases, it gives operators greater clarity about what makes their facility different and encourages them to raise their standards.

The most successful gyms are not simply competing on price; they are creating a better experience, providing a more personal service and understanding the specific needs of their local communities. Healthy competition can push operators to keep improving, and ultimately that creates better gyms and better outcomes for members.

Robert Handy, Founder, Independent Gyms

Growth numbers only tell half the story. What separates operators who scale successfully from those who stall isn’t ambition; it’s understanding exactly who you serve.

The winners know their Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) inside out, and they read the local demographic before they read the growth stats. Chasing square footage without chasing fit is how you end up exposed.

The smartest multi-site operators aren’t opening a second and third location because a lease came up. They’re opening where their niche is genuinely needed. That’s the difference between expansion and growth.

Glen Thurgood, Chief Strategy Officer, EVOLVE

The wrap up…

Reviewing the growth insights from gym operators around the UK, a pattern emerges. Growth isn’t hindered by lack of ambition or demand; it’s held back by the operational complexity that comes with scaling.

Staffing that’s hard to get right. Acquisition costs that keep climbing. Consistency that’s difficult to maintain across locations. When it comes to tackling the operational complexity that you face as you grow gym management software like Resamania can help.

Resamania centralises membership management, automates repetitive tasks that eat time, and gives you clear insights into what’s working. Plus, with numerous integrations already available, you can differentiate on service and experience to keep more members coming back for longer.

The UK fitness industry is maturing. The operators who come out ahead will be the ones whose systems can support existing locations and members, while giving them the confidence and insights to open new locations.

Want the full insights into industry growth around the world? Download the complete Fitness Industry Growth Report 2027 to benchmark your own operation against the wider industry.