Private fitness operators in the UK have reported a 10.2% growth in memberships since 2022, as ukactive and 4GLOBAL have published their first annual Private Sector Benchmarking report. The report is based on data collected in 2022 and 2023 from 12 private operators, representing 1,089 privately operated fitness and leisure facilities. It shows:
- A net of 78 new clubs opened across the UK, representing a growth rate of 7.7%
- The greatest quarterly growth was seen between Q3 2022 and Q4 2022, with a net of 27 new clubs opening
- The number of members between Q1 2022 and Q4 2023 increased by 345,958 (10.2%)
- Membership revenue across the same period rose by 22.4%
The growth in the number of facilities and memberships demonstrates the resilience and determination of private fitness operators in the UK. The higher revenue growth may have been driven by inflation-linked price increases in response to operational cost pressures, particularly the energy crisis.
The Private Sector Benchmarking project began in 2021 when facilities reopened following the COVID-19 pandemic. ukactive and 4GLOBAL have been collecting quarterly performance data from participating ukactive members to accurately represent the private sector’s performance.
Going forward, ukactive, 4GLOBAL, and Sport England will work together to combine the findings of the Private Sector Benchmarking project and the Moving Communities platform, which reports data from public leisure operators across England. This collaboration means the sector will have access to accurate quarterly reporting of the performance of both the private and public fitness and leisure sectors.
To find out more, see here.
