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July 2013
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
Fitness industry growth comes at a price, claim By Christina Eccles THE UK health and fitness industry is now worth £3.92b, according to figures, which show a 1.5 per cent growth in total market value over the 12-month period ending March 2013. The latest State of the UK Fitness Industry Report shows the industry has experienced improved growth in the last 12 months; with increases of 1.5 per cent in value, two per cent in the number of fitness facilities and a 4.5 per cent rise in the number of members, according to independent leisure market analysts The Leisure Database Company. Key findings include: The industry’s total market value – public and private sectors combined – is estimated at £3.92bn, up 1.5 per cent on 2012. 12.6 per cent of the UK population are now registered as members of a private health and fitness club or a publicly-owned fitness facility, contrasting with 12.1 per cent in the previous year. Total industry membership base is the strongest growth indicator, up 4.5 per cent to 7.9m over the past 12 months. 167 new public and private fitness facilities opened in the 12-month peri-
od ending March 31 2013, up from 163 in 2012, 149 in 2011 and 122 in 2010. There are now 6,019 fitness facilities in the UK, up from 5,900 last year. Since 2009, the fitness industry has grown its total market value by four per cent, the member base by 8.3 per cent and the number of fitness facilities by 3.9 per cent. Growth in the industry has been driven by strong performances from both private and public fitness facilities – and especially from the rapidly growing private low cost market. But that growth comes at a price – with low cost operators impacting on both average monthly membership fees and yield per member across the industry. Director of The Leisure Database Company David Minton said: “Despite another year of economic slowdown the fitness industry is continuing to stand strong with both private and public fitness sectors showing record numbers of members, fitness facilities and total market value with the UK penetration rate hitting an all-time high of 12.6 per cent.” What do you think of the findings? Tell us how business is going at your gym by emailing ce@scriptmedia.co.uk or contact us via Facebook and Twitter.
No 238 £3
Closing date looms for gyms to nominate
Supplement range Bio-Synergy Active Woman has launched a 12-week challenge, supported by its celebrity ambassador, TV presenter Melanie Sykes. The challenge aims to find the best ‘Active Woman’, achieved through a combination of exercise, nutrition and taking the supplements. Women can enter at any Holland and Barrett store or via Facebook and will receive a diet plan, training schedule and list of supplements to help them reach their fitness goals. The person judged the best ‘Active Woman’ at the end of their 12 weeks wins £1,000.
TIME is running out to enter the National Fitness Awards, with nominations for this year closing soon. The awards, organised by Script Events in partnership with Workout and headline sponsor ServiceSport, recognise excellence and achievement within the fitness industry. We’ve already received great nominations from clubs around the country eager to put themselves in the running for an award, with many gyms entering this year for the first time. The awards are free to enter and winning can provide priceless publicity for your gym. But nominations will close in August, meaning you have only a few weeks to get those entries in. To make sure you don’t miss out, visit the dedicated website www.natonalfitnessawards.c o.uk , choose a category and fill in the online form. Once nominations close, shortlisted clubs will be contacted by Workout to arrange a visit to their facility for the next phase of judging. Trophies will then be handed out at a glittering awards evening in December – hosted by TV presenter and fitness expert Caroline Pearce.