Kath Hudson talks to the new chair of UK Active’s Independent Council

Record UK market penetration reveals a deeper shift in consumer engagement, a new report finds

The newly published The UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026 shows penetration has reached a remarkable 18 per cent of over-16s, with a record 12.

For more than three decades, Creative Fitness Marketing (CFM) has been helping health clubs grow their membership bases quickly and sustainably.

From pro rugby to PT to building a global fitness brand, the founder of MARCHON talks to Kate Cracknell about the journey so far

The huge popularity of strength and resistance training is driving change on the gym floor. Julie Cramer asks leading suppliers what innovations they’re bringing to market

The co-owner of Volt gym tells us about building an independent, community-focused brand and what’s in store following a major investment

Midlands-based boutique operator, MK Health Hub, has launched a Pilates-inspired concept called MK Reformed, with plans to franchise.

Mike Farrar, chair of UK Active, has called on the UK government to deploy the physical activity sector to support the NHS and tackle the UK’s pandemic of poor health and sluggish economy.

The market for health and fitness franchises has been growing strongly for the last 20 years, to the point where it's now a substantial part of the sector, drawing in substantial investment and scaling rapidly. Kath Hudson looks at how centralised systems and a mature business model underpin success.

Independent gym The Foundry and W10 Personal Training have merged to launch small-group personal training club Foundry. The Foundry was originally founded by ex professional rugby player Ben Gotting and W10 was the brainchild of personal trainer Jean-Claude Vacassin, who is also chairman of the Independent Operators Council at UK Active

The number of positive COVID-19 cases among people who have visited health clubs across Europe continues to be at "extremely low levels".

The number of positive COVID-19 cases among people who have visited health clubs, leisure centres and swimming pools in the UK continues to be at "extremely low levels".

Industry research showed independent gyms were more resilient in last year’s challenging conditions than some of the big operators, we find out why

Independent gyms in the UK have fared better during the pandemic than larger corporate operators in holding on to their members, according to new research.

The UK parliament will today debate the merits of a Work Out to Help Out scheme, designed to offer subsidised access to health clubs and leisure centres across the country.

Barbara den Bak, Tom Moos, and Clare Stobart have been announced as speakers for ukactive's Sweat 2021 conference, joining boutique and independent operators to discuss the bounceback of the sector from COVID-19.

As COVID-19 cases increase across much of the UK, the fitness industry is standing fast, with the latest data from ukactive showing that the prevalence of COVID-19 in people who have used gyms remains extremely low.

Steve Ward celebrates how the industry has come together in the pandemic

Gym operators in the UK can now open on the high street, without planning permission. What impact will this have on the industry?

Industry body ukactive has launched an Independent Operators Steering Group, catering for members who run independently-owned sites or a small number of locations.

Independent operators are increasingly creating an affordable and personalised experience for customers. Does this signal a shift in the current market set up?

Former professional footballer and gym owner Jamie Cartwright has joined MyZone UK as customer experience manager to support the wearable tech company’s continued growth.

Move's new partner network across the three cities includes hundreds of independent operators, as well as chains such as Virgin Active and Pure Gym.

A growing number of clubs across the UK are working with Ojmar to upgrade their traditional keyed locking systems to electronic solutions

Leisure Industry Week relaunches this month having been acquired by BodyPower. We look ahead to what’s on offer this year

Dr Paul Bedford outlines the key findings of his qualitative and quantitative retention reports

Nicky Jobson reports on all the news, excitement and product launches from this year’s Leisure Industry Week, which took place at the Birmingham NEC

The 26th annual Leisure Industry Week (LIW) begins this morning (30 September) at Birmingham’s NEC, with more than 200 exhibitors and 7,500 visitors expected at the three-day event.

Nicky Jobson looks ahead to the highlights in store for visitors to this year’s Leisure Industry Week