The 2019 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report reveals that the UK health and fitness industry is healthier than it has ever been. It has more gyms, more members and a greater market value than ever before. Several key milestones have been achieved over the last 12 months. The total UK membership has broken the 10 million mark and the industry is now worth more than £5 billion for the first time.
Read More2018 STATE OF THE UK SWIMMING INDUSTRY REPORT - OUT NOW
The 2018 State of the UK Swimming Industry Report reveals that the number of swimming pool sites has remained static over the last 12 months. There has been a marginal increase of 0.1%.
Read More2018 STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT - OUT NOW
The 2018 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report reveals that the UK health and fitness industry is continuing to strengthen. It has more gyms, more members and a greater market value than ever before. There are over 7,000 gyms in the UK for the first time, total membership is approaching 10 million and market value is just under £5 billion. The penetration rate remains at 14.9%, so 1 in every 7 people in the UK is a member of a gym.
Read MoreFree fitness classes in shops are the new trend
Original Article: Independent.IE
If you’re heading to London for Christmas shopping, there are a few ways to preemptively offset the effects of the Christmas pudding.
In the city of the Thames, sportswear brands like Lululemon, Reebok and Nike are offering free classes to their customers.
Lululemon provides a free yoga or fitness class on Sunday mornings in its Marylebone store in London, for example. Yoga mats are provided.
In Reebok’s Fit Hub in Covent Garden, it offers free evening classes like 'Gymbox’s Badass', 'Hardcore HIIT', and 'Contortion Yoga'.
These brands are expanding their focus and building relationships with their consumer, David Minton, a keynote speaker at tomorrow’s Ireland Active conference, told independent.ie.
"Some of the big brands are getting into fitness and offering it free of charge - people like Nike who are offering free runs. In Reebok, you can join one of their classes in the Fit Hub. Lululemon are offering free classes in their shops and they create studios in their shops. Sweaty Betty is a London brand and are offering free classes," he said.
"This is a new area where the brand is looking to create more of a relationship with the consumer."
How is this impacting the health and fitness industry, Minton asks.
"We don’t know yet because they’re trying to build a direct relationship with the consumer, not just sell them a kit."
According to Minton, the free classes aren’t just getting a big take-up. It’s also the boutique-style, higher end shops and gyms that are going from strength to strength.
"The biggest trend is in boutiques. I’m aware of the advertising that people like Ben Dunne do and how people are trying to provide lots of things for very little money. In London, we’re now going to the opposite extreme, low cost is amazingly successful, for people who are paying below 20 pounds per month. Now just imagine if people are paying 20 pounds per session or more," he said.
"There are new boutiques that are all expanding in the UK.
"They provide night club lighting, night club sound, better look facilities, and top instructors, and you feel you’ve had a top experience.
"Maybe some people are not having the Starbucks and instead having the experience."
Leisure Industry Events
Active Net
On 29-30th March, Natalie and David attend ActiveNet's annual event in Nottingham.
David presented a breakout session discussing "fitness with no boundaries" and how technology will impact the future of our industry.
Meanwhile, Natalie networked as part of the supplier-buyer sessions.
David discussing how technology is changing the future of the fitness industry and how each gym operator needs to adapt - #ActiveNet2017
"If restaurants have no seats, cars have no drivers, deliveries have no couriers, then fitness will have no boundaries" - David Minton, #ActiveNet2017
BUCS
Later that week, David presented at the BUCS Sport Health, Fitness & Physical Activity Network event again discussing the impact of technology witihin the leisure industry.
Health & fitness industry to see 300% growth!
Via Health Club Management...
Byran O'Rourke believes the health and fitness industry is set for explosive growth over the next decade and could grow up to 300%.
Here are David Minton's thoughts on the industry's potential...
It's currently the most exciting time to be in the fitness industry in terms of innovation, growth and potential. Three hundred per cent growth is definitely possible: the industry needs to think BIG. Globally we should be aiming for half a billion members.
Penetration rates are very low in the global fitness industry at present - still in the low single figures in lots of countries - so the potential is enormous, especially in Asia and the developing world. However, there's still huge potential for the market in the UK too, which has grown by two million members since 2007 to achieve 14.3 per cent population penetration.
Two factors will drive growth: education and experience. Operators need to focus on improving both. Following the lead of the hotel industry, they need to keep investing in the product and innovating.
They also need to get better at using data to connect with current and potential members. Although we're definitely seeing improvements, historically the industry has been poor at finding out how often members come, what they do and what they spend.
Change will happen across all ages and demographics. However, certainly in the UK I don't see a huge growth coming from the healthcare sector at the moment because, to engage with the NHS, the industry will need to become far more professional, start talking the same language and take part in clinical trials.
Motivation is the key to success
Despite our best intentions, some days are harder than others to persuade ourselves to get up and exercise. But when the exercise gear is finally on, what inspired us to do it?
I asked the Leisure DB team what or who gets them motivated to do sport and exercise and here are their answers:
Abi: I’ve been into sport and exercise since I was little, it’s engrained but I find that the excitement and enjoyment you feel from playing sport or doing exercise is probably what motivates me most. I’d be lying if I didn’t also say it’s partly guilt…I’ve got a huge appetite so I need to keep fit and healthy so I can still be a foodie!
Charlotte: I love the feeling you get after exercise, I couldn’t live without the buzz you get after working to your max!
Hux: Mark Cavendish is my fitness inspiration when I get on a bike but it doesn’t happen often enough and that’s where the comparisons end…
Jamie: I’ve recently been going out jogging with my 11 year old son, he’s pretty inspirational, but he’s also getting a little too quick for me now!
Jen: My biggest inspiration for taking part in netball is the social side of it as I love being part of a team and playing it for each other. But what inspires me to go to the gym? How I feel about myself. I know that going to the gym, clocking up the calories and working hard will make me feel great when I finish. If I do exercise all week, I know I can hit the dancefloor on a Saturday night feeling comfortable and confident.
Nat: All the motivation I need is knowing how exercise makes me feel – a mixture of invigorated, exhausted, fitter and stronger.
What motivates you to get up and go?
HCM 2015 Handbook - out now
The Health Club Management 2015 Handbook is now online - http://www.healthclubhandbook.com/2015. Take a look for lots of invaluable insights, stats, predictions and trends for the year ahead.
Check out p54 for David's latest views on the State of the UK Fitness Industry. Is the private sector growing? How is the low cost market faring? Is the public sector staying strong? What part is the latest fitness tech playing? Have a read and see!
