Highlights from the Health & Fitness Association 2025 Global Report, which deep dives into the state of the industry globally.

Franchising is booming – Europe’s three biggest operators are planning to use this model to grow in new territories; Purpose Brands is opening a club each day and Crunch Fitness and Jetts Fitness have planted flags in India

The founder of SP&Co Group is building bridges between acute healthcare and community wellbeing systems

GCC gym operator, Gymnation, has secured a $100 million private credit facility from HPS Investment Partners – part of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager.

As UK market penetration hits 18 per cent, how much higher could it go?

Equinox Hotels, which has a focus on fitness, health and wellness, has announced it will operate a marina lifestyle destination called Equinox Resort Anguilla Port Nimara, the first Caribbean site for the brand.

Purpose Brands has announced the signing of a master franchise agreement with ABFit to take Anytime Fitness to Saudi Arabia.

PureGym has achieved a milestone with the launch of its 700th gym, in West Yorkshire. This is the 40th UK launch this year, with plans to open a further 10-15.

Huge opportunities exist in emerging markets, while Millennials and Gen Z are driving growth across the whole industry, says the HFA Global Report

The 2025 HFA Global Report, which looked at almost 30 markets, shows that around the world more people are joining gyms and seeing fitness as essential, despite rising living costs.

Tech innovations are handing operators powerful tools, finds Julie Cramer

Middle East operator, Gymnation, has opened its largest club to date in Riyadh's Qurtubah district, offering male and female facilities.

Fitness, wellness and spa brand, Equinox, has been announced as the operator of a new luxury hotel in Nashville, US.

A new social wellness concept curated by three industry veterans will open soon in Amsterdam before being rolled out to key cities.

The fitness, health and wellness veteran is co-founder of new social wellness brand 432. He tells us about the first launch in Amsterdam

A summary of the Health & Fitness Association’s research into the global market.

Colin Waggett, Tom Leverton, Elaine Jobson and Liz Clark are among the line-up of CEOs giving their take on current issues, such as how to influence governments and whether the recovery trend is here to stay.

HCM Handbook editorial director, Liz Terry and Kath Hudson predict key trends, influences and opportunities set to shape the sector, including vagus nerve resets, diagnostics and social prescribing.

Kerzner International has opened Siro Boka Place, Montenegro, its first purpose-built Siro and the launch of the fitness and recovery-focused concept in Europe.

The fitness market in the Middle East is thriving, with the low-cost sector set to gain greater traction over the next few years. GymNation’s recent report uncovers the changing consumer factors fuelling this growth

Finnish multi-activity operator, SuperPark United, has revealed ambitions to roll out sites across the UK via franchise licences and partnerships with investors, property owners and operators.

After a successful year expanding into new territories, In2Fitness is planning to open a further 25 sites in Saudi Arabia in 2025.

Research by the Global Health and Fitness Alliance (GHFA) and the Health and Fitness Association (HFA), says cost is still a barrier to joining gyms, which is limiting the industry’s impact on population health.

Fitness participation rates in the United Arab Emirates and Kingdom Saudi Arabia are growing faster than anywhere else in the world, but the key barriers of cost and gymtimidation persist, according to the UAE & KSA Health & Fitness Report 2025, undertaken by operator, GymNation.

It has been confirmed that PureGym is the winning bidder in the auction for US operator, Blink Fitness, with a successful bid of $121 million.

ServiceSport Group has announced the expansion of its global footprint, with the launch of ServiceSport KSA in Saudi Arabia, says its chief commercial officer

The 2024 HFA Global Report reveals a resilient sector, predicts further market growth and highlights the biggest operators

The Health and Fitness Association’s new 2024 HFA Global Report shows that despite ongoing macro-economic challenges, the fitness industry has rebounded from the pandemic.

Resort developer and operator Kerzner International has announced plans to expand its portfolio of luxury hotels and residences with two new nature-centric wellness destinations in 2025.

Private equity firm, Levant Capital, has taken a majority stake in UAE-based premium operator, Warehouse Gym.