September: Gym Owner Monthly

2018 Milestones

The 2017 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report revealed that the UK health and fitness industry is continuing to grow. David Minton, Director of LeisureDB said: “It may be premature to call the period to 2020 “the golden age of fitness” but further growth will only be limited to the imagination of those pushing the boundaries. The signs are there that the industry is likely to hit several milestones in 2018. The number of gyms is on course to go over 7,000 for the first time, total membership to exceed 10 million and market value to reach £5 billion”.

Original Source: Gym Owner Monthly

August: Gym Owner Monthly

The private low cost market

The 2017 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report reveals that the UK health and fitness industry is continuing to grow. This growth is being primarily driven from the private sector, which has more clubs, more members and a greater market value than ever before.

The low cost market has continued to be the main driving force behind the private sector growth. There are now over 500 low cost clubs which account for 15% of the market value and 35% of membership in the private sector. The UK’s leading low cost operator is Pure Gym with over 180 gyms.

Original Source: Gym Owner Monthly

The Best January Gym Deals

#HealthyJanuary is well under way, so what better way to stick with your health and fitness New Year resolution than picking out the best gym deals available. We researched what deals both public and private operators are offering and posted them below:

Private:

A 3 day pass for Pure Gym would normally cost you £12.99 but as part of the January deals, they are offering it for free using their promotional code ‘WELCOME’. The offer is valid only on open Pure Gyms and the use of the code expires 31/01/16. 

The Gym Group is offering to both members and non-members (after signing up) three free one to one training sessions but note that it applies only to sites that were open or opened during 2015. 

DW Sports Fitness are proposing you join their #FitnessEvolution and become a member for just £5. If this doesn’t suit you, you can always get 2 months free if you buy a 14 month membership up front, and you won’t be charged a joining fee either.

Virgin Active and Nuffield Health have both stated that if you buy into their membership in January, they will pay for the remainder of the month but remember that terms and conditions always apply.

Blue Monday, or more commonly called Monday 18th January 2016, is apparently the most depressing day of the year according to…the internet. Rather than getting down and out about it, jump on Fitness First’s Red Monday, they’re aiming to turn people’s frowns upside down by offering free entry to non-members at their clubs across the UK. They’ve even partnered with the fitness expert Joe Wicks, or ‘The Body Coach’ as he’s known, to offer free HIIT sessions throughout Red Monday.

If you are a member of The Times, David Lloyd have released an exclusive offer of a 14-day free trial at their clubs across the UK. It’ll allow you to use the gyms, exercise classes and squash and tennis courts in their clubs. You can start your trial at mytimesplus.co.uk. Énergie Fitness Clubs, like David Lloyd, are offering the same two week free deal for their gyms but have partnered with the Daily Star and the Daily Express. 

Public:

Better has no joining fee until Jan 31st and it could save you up to £35! The offer is valid from 1st January until 29th February 2016 meaning you have no excuse but to keep fit throughout Jan and into Feb! 

Everyone Active are offering an impressive deal – to join their centres from £1 and the offer is open between December 27th 2015 and 31st January 2016. However, please note that the offer states “from £1” and the cost will vary dependent on which participating leisure centre you’re looking to join. If you have children and they are enrolled in swimming lessons at Everyone Active, some leisure centres also offer an extra 25% off your pay monthly activity membership – get all of the family active! 

1Life are inviting non-members to sign up and pay a joining fee of only £1 and unlimited access to their facilities. The offer will end 31/01/16. Additionally, you can register for a free 1Life Card which includes a free 3 day trial, free activity passes and discounts from their partner brands.

If you’re a regular swimmer Places for People Leisure have the perfect deal for you! They are offering two free swims after you’ve been ten times. 

Fusion Lifestyle are giving out two day free passes from 1st January to 29th February and must be used within that time period. This offer is only valid to new customers.  

With all this information you can now keep fit for a good price!

Stats, Stats, Stats!!

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Poundland take on the Fitness Industry

Some of the most common reasons for not getting active and exercising are gym memberships and fitness equipment being inaccessible and too expensive. Many companies however are challenging the traditional high cost health club notion with low cost exercise alternative. Following the success of Sports Direct £5 per month gym memberships Poundland have launched a 37 piece range of fitness and exercise equipment by ActivLife for £1.

The large range will have something for everyone, from those looking to hit the weights hard to those looking to balance on their heads in yoga. The range includes free weights, weight gloves, skipping ropes, yoga mats, workout towels and gym bags all for £1 each. The range also include protein shakes, protein bars, water bottles and protein shakers by ProteinActive as nutrition is more than half the battle when staying active and keeping your nutrition on track.

All this low cost fitness equipment will hopefully increase participation in sport and exercise, which in turn can reduce inactivity and obesity levels in the country, both of which have recently been reported as an increasing problem in the UK.

It looks like low cost alternatives will continue to grow as other budget stores such as Primark recently increased their exercise clothing and equipment range. So the excuse of exercise costing too much or being inaccessible is on the way out, as the cost of exercising is still going down. You can set up a home gym for less than a fiver and workout in the comfort of your own home thanks to Poundland.

Morgan Evans - The Leisure Database Company

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!