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

PureGym’s Rebecca Passmore, Karl Sanft from 24 Hour Fitness and SATS’ Sondre Gravir are among the line up of industry leaders to share their opinions on a range of subjects, including whether cardio is making a comeback and where the recovery trend will go

Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 

A new international study has identified the emergence of a consumer segment of affluent 25- to 44-year-olds whose attitudes to health and wellbeing are remarkably consistent across national boundaries.

Gharieni Group has launched a new company, Cobotics Innovations, to create automated wellness experiences.

US-based robotics wellness company Aescape Inc has entered insolvency proceedings following the sale of substantially all of its assets and escalating financial pressures.

A waterfall massage jet shower by Werner Dosiertechnik (WDT) enables operators to deliver cold therapy or contrast bathing.

The Morozko Mineral Bath with Hydrogen offers a plunge experience in an elliptical stainless steel tub with an exterior comprising cedar staves, secured with stainless steel hoops.

A wellness club opens on London’s River Thames in June, offering luxury facilities and personalised wellness protocols focused on recovery and longevity.

Premium operator, Third Space, opens its 15th health club in London tomorrow (1 May) in Chelsea, off the King’s Road.

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

Recovery is now a key part of the wellness journey. Suppliers discuss their hero products and reveal what’s next

Kath Hudson asks the experts what approaches in elite sports recovery could be successfully brought to the gym floor

Eric Litman, CEO of New York-based lifestyle robotics company Aescape, has announced he will be starting a new company to focus on improving health spans, called Healthspanners.

Fitness franchise Snap Fitness has launched a next generation club in Chancery Lane London in the heart of the financial district.

The MD of Active Insight says the sector can use data to deliver more powerful member experiences and outcomes

Third Space launched its 14th club at The Whiteley, on 9 December.

The entrepreneur and founder of the Urban Gym Group tells Kath Hudson how personal loss inspired her to open Europe’s first wellbeing club

With 400 locations and plans to enter new markets in 2026, the president of Fitness Park talks to Kate Cracknell about its €280m funding deal

Investment, leadership, consumer trends and growth were hot topics at our annual event for the industry. Click to watch the presentations in our report

It’s been a great morning at the sell-out HCM Summit in London, with six inspirational speakers on stage.

Growth is on the cards for Fitness and Lifestyle Group as it adopts a premium value market positioning. Its CEO and MD talks to Kate Cracknell

Third Space has unveiled further details of its 14th location, The Whiteley, which opens near Hyde Park in London on 12 December.

Australian franchisor, Jetts Fitness, is branching out into recovery and wellness in a joint venture with the New Zealand company, O-Studio.

The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has released a report that captures microtrends emerging across the spa and wellness industry according to each of its initiatives.

The Maybourne Riviera has unveiled its second-ever wellness and longevity members club, Surrenne, at its new hotel in France.

Premium London operator, Third Space, has launched a pioneering performance testing facility, the Performance Lab, at its newly renovated Mayfair club.

Tim Gurner, Australian developer and founder of Gurner Group, is expanding the Saint Haven wellness concept across Australia, with plans for its first locations in the UAE (in Dubai) and the US by the end of this year.

Life Time – which yesterday did a US$150m sales and leaseback deal on three of its properties – is continuing to build out its portfolio by launching an urban country club in the 30-storey, Manhattan tower at 10 Bryant in the heart of New York City.