About the market:

The UK health and fitness clubs business has adopted a somewhat subdued stance in the two years since Mintel last reported on it (May 2003). The once glamorous image of the industry, populated by a raft of high-flying stock market-quoted companies, spiralling membership levels and dizzying rates of club openings, has been replaced by a quieter, more modest approach, away from the limelight but still focused on maintaining growth.

The emphasis of operators has also switched, with some almost for the first time looking back at the outlets they have opened, to revisit them and assess how they might maximise their revenue, something which was almost forgotten in the rush for nationwide coverage that has occupied some players.

Operators have also become more discreet when it comes to publicising the performance of their business. For some, this reflects the fact that the numbers are not quite as impressive as they once were.

Despite this, Mintel’s research reveals a continued trend of growth for the industry as a whole, in terms of members, sales and overall penetration of the population. Indeed, levels of optimism are higher now than they have been for several years. The challenge for the industry is to become leaner and more efficient, gaining new members and opening new clubs but also maximising returns from its existing members and clubs.

About Mintel’s research:

This report assesses the performance of the health and fitness clubs industry during the past five years. It gives profiles of the major multiple operators (focusing on private clubs but also those that run multiple public facilities as they represent significant competition) and offers a unique insight into consumer behaviour, attitudes and opinions concerning a variety of subjects about, or related to, health and fitness clubs. The report will also provide some pointers as to how the market will develop during the next five years.