{"id":24470,"date":"2026-04-14T11:52:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T10:52:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ukactive.com\/?p=24470"},"modified":"2026-04-24T16:08:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T15:08:07","slug":"from-sector-growth-to-public-benefit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ukactive.com\/cy\/news\/from-sector-growth-to-public-benefit\/","title":{"rendered":"Market Report 2026: From sector growth to public benefit"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Rob Turner, Partner\u00a0at Grant Thornton UK Advisory and Tax LLP\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In undertaking the analysis and drafting of this year\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>UK Health & Fitness Market\u00a0Report<\/span><\/a>\u00a0we wanted to go beyond simply reporting the metrics and begin to explore, in more detail, what the data means for the UK health and fitness sector and in particular the policy decisions it should help to shape and inform.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By working with ukactive, Sport England and 4GLOBAL, we knew we were involved in developing the sector\u2019s most authoritative source of market intelligence and as part of\u00a0this\u00a0we wanted to ensure we were aligning the robust operator and consumer data with the realities faced by both policymakers and operators in order to provide actionable insight.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A sector delivering outcomes, not just activity<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s report\u00a0clearly shows a sector that is growing \u2013 a growth that is\u00a0evidenced\u00a0across multiple metrics: members, visits, income, clubs \u2013 and as a result,\u00a0its facilities are being used more intensively than ever.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the clearest impacts of this growth story is the value the health and fitness sector delivers beyond its own balance sheet. In 2025 alone the sector generated \u00a37.46bn in attributable social value. Crucially, this is not an abstract figure.\u00a0The majority of\u00a0that value relates to measurable improvements in wellbeing and reductions in health risks such as depression, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular\u00a0disease\u00a0and strokes. This matters.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This has big implications for policymakers as it shifts the thinking about health and fitness facilities. It moves them from being discretionary lifestyle amenities to a critical part of the preventative health infrastructure. The data show\u00a0that membership of a gym is strongly correlated with sustained physical activity, with non-members\u00a010\u00a0times more likely to be inactive than current members. For policy makers this raises\u00a0important questions about how this powerful gateway into physical activity can be harnessed and its impact maximised.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bridging the\u00a0perception\u00a0gap\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Part of the challenge is that there is\u00a0a\u00a0perception\u00a0gap. While the sector\u2019s capability to support prevention, rehabilitation and long\u2011term condition management has grown materially, consumer and clinical confidence has not kept pace. The result:\u00a0health and fitness facilities can deliver more than the public sector currently\u00a0recognises.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore,\u00a0in order to\u00a0bridge this gap and realise the\u00a0existing\u00a0potential\u00a0there is a need for:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n