Findings from the 2009 FIA State of the UK Fitness Industry Audit.
The UK’s £3.77 billion fitness industry is proving resilient in the economic climate, with continued growth in demand, market value and new facilities.
The 2009 FIA State of the UK Fitness Industry figures, the only comprehensive audit of the UK fitness industry, reporting performance for the 12 months to 31st March 2009 are published today and they reveal the robust nature of both the public and private fitness sectors. The figures are compiled by independent leisure market analysts, The Leisure Database Company who have been monitoring the performance of the leisure industry for over 20 years.
Summary Picture
• Market Value is estimated* at £3.77 billion, a 3% increase on the previous 12 months.
• 12.1 per cent of the UK population are now registered as members of a health and fitness club or publicly-owned fitness facility.
• Like-for-like membership numbers have grown by 0.8% over the 12 month period.
• 114 new public and private fitness facilities opened in the 12 month period.
• 119,000 new members were recruited at these new fitness sites.
Private Sector
The FIA State of the Fitness Industry figures highlight that private health and fitness clubs have weathered the economic climate well in comparison to other leisure sectors. An additional 64 new private clubs were opened in the UK and 66,444 new members joined these new facilities during the 12 months to the end of March 2009. Private clubs have grown their memberships steadily with a 1% like-for-like membership increase. Membership fees have remained steady with the average monthly fee being £42.91 compared with an average of £42.37 for the previous 12 month period. Market value of private clubs has therefore been able to grow, with a 3.2% increase to £2.70 billion.
Public Sector
There has also been growth in the public fitness sector with 50 new fitness facilities opened in the 12 months to the end of March 2009, in the UK and 52,534 new memberships at these new public gyms.
Like-for-like memberships grew more steadily in the public sector with a 0.4% increase. The public sector market value grew by 2.3% in the 12 month period to £1.07 billion.
Commenting on the figures, David Minton, Director of The Leisure Database Company said: "It seems many of those who are participating are now viewing exercise as an investment, possibly the best sort of investment in a recession. Anecdotal evidence suggests that footfall is up and reported number of active members has grown during the year. Compared to some leisure sectors personal health is seen as an enduring value and one to work on, particularly during an economic downturn. The fitness industry has maintained its performance levels and gained new members despite the difficult trading conditions. It’s also heartening to see a healthy increase in market value of 3%."
Commenting for the Fitness Industry Association, Andree Deane, CEO said "The industry’s robust performance in the midst of the recession underpins the simple fact that fitness and exercise is now perceived by consumers to be a vital part of their lives and wellbeing and not a luxury expenditure.
In addition, the government’s highly successful Change4Life campaign has proved to be a very effective catalyst to help us reach new audiences and reinforce the wellbeing message amongst the 12 percent of the population who already exercise." These figures tally with the latest findings from Sport England’s Active People Survey, which found that regular participation in sport had increased by half a million people since 2005/06.
Jennie Price, Sport England’s Chief Executive, said:
"In this difficult financial climate, it is encouraging to see evidence that grassroots sports participation and gym membership remain resilient. We need to put all the available evidence and expertise to the best possible use to help the sports sector respond to the needs of its customers and sustain this level of growth in the run up to London 2012."
Brigid Simmonds OBE, Chief Executive, Business In Sport and Leisure commented: "The continued emphasis from the Government on the importance of Physical Activity is gaining consumer momentum. Such programmes as free swimming, Change4Life and even the excitement of London 2012 must encourage people to understand the need for physical activity and sport. The Leisure Database Survey shows that the industry’s continued investment in quality facilities is fuelling retention and if anything, the recession and shorter working hours may provide an opportunity for us all to find more time to be fitter."
"This is great news from the UK," said Joe Moore, CEO and president of the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). "The ability of the industry to add new members even during challenging economic times is a testament to the value that the public continues to place on exercise and wellness activities -- a trend that spans both countries and continents."
Herman Rutgers, Executive Director, European Health and Fitness Association stated: "As the industry body representing health and fitness across Europe we are delighted to see the UK market perform well under the current conditions. The UK market is a maturing and highly professional market which will provide further good practice in how to succeed in recessionary times for other European markets to learn from. It is encouraging that fitness consumers continue to value their health and maintain their health club memberships."
Craig McAteer, Chair of Sporta, which represents 114 leisure trusts within the UK said: "It's extremely encouraging to see that the market remains so buoyant during these difficult times and, importantly, that memberships are continuing to grow, demonstrating the value the public place on their health and fitness.
The social enterprise trust sector will continue to invest in the health of our diverse communities, to ensure we reduce health inequalities, including growing mental health issues. The sector will enhance partnerships with our strategic commissioners, Local Authorities and the NHS on health targets within the Local Strategic Partnership to ensure we develop measurable health outcomes and progress joint funding initiatives."
ENDS
Notes
The FIA State of the UK Fitness Industry figures are compiled from the most comprehensive audit of the UK fitness industry, covering some 6,000 sites.
Due to the increased scope of the survey work for Active Places, the 2009 FIA State of the Fitness Industry review is based on a 78% response rate of audited facilities and a 22% use of 2008 audited figures.
The reporting period is the 12 months to 31st March 2009.
The audit and resulting figures are compiled by independent leisure market analysts, The Leisure Database Company who have been monitoring the performance of the leisure industry for over 20 years.
*Market Value is based on Average Adult Membership Fee multiplied by Number of Members aggregated at an individual site level.