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Garmin has expanded its wearable portfolio with the launch of the Cirqa Smart Band, a Whoop- like screen-free fitness tracker designed to provide continuous health and activity monitoring while minimising digital distractions.

Private investment company, Franchise Equity Partners, has acquired Bravo Fit, the Planet Fitness franchisee in Australia, from existing shareholders.

Urban Gym Group has entered the Irish market with the acquisition of Iconic Health Clubs.

Fitness First UK has raised the bar with its latest refurbishment, in Highbury, London, as it continues to premiumise its estate.

TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.

Wattbike has announced a new integration with EGYM, which enables the bikes to contribute to the Cardio BioAge score of individuals via a VO2 max result.

It’s been five years since the fitness industry reopened after the last lockdown – long enough to look back on the impact the pandemic had on the sector and what might come next. 

Bellezi, the Dutch-founded spa furniture manufacturer, has created a touchless wellness concept called Deepsense in collaboration with low-frequency vibroacoustic technology firm Neurosonic Technologies.

Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional reformer movements and more contemporary exercises, choreographed to music. 

The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch in London on 21 October 2026.

Strength training has never been more important for member retention, facility differentiation and long-term commercial success.

Girls in the UK are missing out on 280 million hours of sport every year compared with boys, according to research commissioned by Sky TV.

Everlast Gyms expands its footprint outside of the UK this month with the imminent launch of a club in Dublin.

According to research which tracked more than 147,000 people for 30 years, 90-120 minutes of strength training a week may deliver some of the biggest long-term health rewards.

The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.

Places Leisure has exchanged contracts to build and operate a flagship £60m water and leisure destination on behalf of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Anytime Fitness opened more than one club a day in 2025 and is on track to maintain this rate of growth this year, as parent company Purpose Brands targets further international expansion.

Sophie Lawler, CEO of Total Fitness, has launched a leadership coaching business aimed at helping women realise their professional potential.

The £33.9 million Leighton Leisure and Community Centre has opened in Leighton Buzzard, UK, creating a next-generation public leisure, health and wellbeing hub for the local community.

The Republic of Ireland will become the latest market in PureGym’s expanding international portfolio, with the first launch planned for Dublin in 2027.

YogaSix, the yoga brand of Xponential Fitness, has launched a heated, Pilates-inspired class called Y6 Core.

Walnuts Leisure Centre in Orpington, in the London Borough of Bromley, has reopened following a £17m transformation designed to secure the long-term future of the public leisure asset and reposition it as a community wellbeing hub.

The Gym Group, has announced that it's sustained positive trading momentum has continued through the first half of 2026 and the company remains confident about the outlook.

Luxury boutique Pilates and wellness studio, X-Club, officially launches a 4,000sq ft flagship at Marylebone on 16 July Built around X-Club’s four pillars of wellness – mind, movement, nutrition and therapy – the facility features two group exercise studi

Hyrox has announced it will be working with a second charity in the upcoming season and offering charity spots in sold-out races.

US low-cost operator, Amped Fitness, has launched a flagship location in Texas, debuting its multi-sensory Amped Universe design architecture.

Jason Bailey highlights Oldham’s work connecting hospital and health club

Software suppliers explain how AI, automation and connected digital experiences can work for the benefit of operators and members

The World Athletics president talks to Liz Terry about the launch of Run X, the World Treadmill Championships, in partnership with Technogym