UK independent gym sector valued at £625m
LeisureDB has launched a new Spotlight Report series analysing the independent sector of the fitness industry.
It has been compiled by drilling down into the State of the Fitness Industry Report, which was released in May 2022.
The new report delves into changes that occurred in the independent sector during the pandemic from 2019 to 2022 but draws a distinction between an independent club and an Independent Survivor Gym (ISG).
It defines ISGs as “those gyms that were listed as independent following industry audit on 31st March 2019 and 31st March 2022, covering the critical period before and after the COVID-19 lockdowns”.
The report revealed that while there are 2,207 independent gyms in total, it is the 1,969 ISGs – which made up 89 per cent of the gyms analysed for the State of the Fitness Industry Report – that is the focus for this Spotlight Report.
It adds that in the State of the Fitness Industry Report, independent gyms represented 20 per cent of the £3.5bn private sector total market value, but ISGs have a lower percentage market share at 17.7 per cent.
After giving a breakdown of gyms, number of members, average membership and market value for each region in the UK, LeisureDB totals the market value of ISGs at £625m against £626m for 2019.
From 2019 to 2022, 46 multi-site operator gyms became independent through losing a second site or due to a change of ownership. Additionally, 44 independent gyms became multi-site operators after adding a second site or through acquisition.
A section of the report that looks at growth through adversity highlights how 18 per cent or 23 of the ISGs have changed their name, but have no underlying changes to ownership or management and have therefore undergone a degree of rebranding.
The report also considers how the ISGs who changed ownership and management – the remaining 82 per cent – have fared over the three-year reporting period.
Other sections in the report compare pay-as-you-go with the membership model of payment and look at member management systems. Findings include that 52 per cent of ISGs use a recognised management system, with Clubwise, Clubright, Ashbourne and GloFox the systems gaining the most clients.
It also explores changes ISGs have made to their facilities and how their offerings have changed due to the impact of COVID-19. For example, the number of ISGs who have a dance/aerobics studio has increased by 18 to 1,006.
Overall, when looking at openings and closures, the lost market value from closures was £60m and 151,000 members, but gained market value from openings is £43m and 85,000 members.
Leisure DB itself has undergone a rebranding and name change from The Leisure Database Company after its assets and IPs were acquired by Addleisure, owned by LA Fitness co-founder, David Turner, in May 2022.
At the time, Minton told HCM in an exclusive interview: “We have plans in place to enable LeisureDB to support the industry with more useful analytics and data, and with regular updates in different formats, which is so vital for both operators and investors.”
To download the new report, click here.
LeisureDB Independent Survivor Gym Spotlight Report series David MintonLA Fitness co-founder David Turner acquires the assets of The Leisure Database Company following its liquidation
FEATURE: Research – Rethink and reset
FEATURE: Insight – Rethink & reset
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
