New data from the ukactive Research Institute shows that for every 100,000 visits to UK health clubs and leisure centres between April and August 2021, only one person went on to test positive for COVID-19. The figure of one positive case per 100,000 visits is 60 per cent lower than the 1.7 cases per 100,000 visits to fitness facilities reported between July 2020 and the end of December 2020.

Further research into the levels of positive COVID-19 cases among those to have visited fitness clubs and leisure facilities is currently being developed by EuropeActive.

The results from the first Moving Communities Customer Experience Survey show users are satisfied with local authority health and fitness facilities

A new report from ukactive sets out ways in which the health and fitness sector can engage the over 55s in exercise

Health clubs, gyms and leisure centres should focus on ability, rather than age, when designing, marketing and delivering activities to those aged 55 and over. The insight comes from the Life In Our Years, a new report, carried out by the ukactive Research Institute in partnership with Egym, which is based on a consultation on the fitness and leisure sector for the over-55s.

Sport England’s new monitoring and insight study will track the impact of the National Leisure Recovery Fund and its impact on communities, says Mike Hill

HCM talks to suppliers and operators about how the aggregator market is changing in response to demand

Our sector can do more for active ageing – it’s never been more important

'Emerging successfully out of a crisis as significant as this pandemic requires visionary leadership, creative thinking and innovative collaboration' says David Stalker

Dr Steve Mann, former research director at industry body, ukactive, has been appointed director at sports and physical activity consultancy 4global.

A major new consultation will seek to explore how the physical activity sector can better support people over the age of 55 – and those with long-term health conditions – to lead active lifestyles.

GO fit’s chief transformation officer talks about the brand’s groundbreaking COVID-19 response

A new report has revealed the likely timescales and shape of the UK fitness market's recovery from the COVID-19 lockdown, finding that 88 per cent of users intend to return to the UK's gyms and leisure centres.

When it comes to boosting fitness membership, it’s judicious to meet the needs of the lucrative over-55 market. DataHub’s Utku Topraksevten shares insights from the latest Moving Communities: Active Leisure Trends report and how best to get with the programme

ukactive has launched two major new reports as part of its Business Intelligence service.

A report outlining membership habits and retention in the fitness sector will be released at the Sweat 2020 event next week.

A three-year research project will look to provide the physical activity industry with a better understanding of the needs of families with disabled children.

Liz Terry shares her thoughts

Attracting older members into health clubs could drive significant growth for the industry, but uptake is slow. How can clubs secure the silver pound?

The UK fitness industry should make a concerted effort to highlight the importance of strength training, following the publication of the Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) guidelines for physical activity.

Insights manager Lizzie Broughton sums up ukactive’s inaugural Global Boutique Trends Report, highlighting the demographics and behaviours driving the boutique boom in key cities around the world

According to ukactive’s Reimagining Ageing Report, ageing is an issue that we simply cannot afford to ignore. Chris Phillips from Datahub summarises the findings

The sector should focus on young people, older people and workplace health for the biggest impact on our community, says Steven Ward

ukactive has called for the physical activity sector to increase the amount of evidence it shares on exercise referral schemes. The industry body said that by sharing more evidence, the sector can study outcomes and "better understand why some schemes are more effective than others". As a result, the sector would be able to create better schemes, maximise its contribution to the NHS and create further opportunities for collaboration.

Jak Phillips says we need to stop demonising screen use and adopt a more nuanced attitude

A new report tells us that people should be getting more active as they age, not less. We take a closer look at the facts and why we need to transform perceptions of ageing

The ukactive Research Institute has announced plans to make all academic research it conducts available as 'pre-print articles' to stakeholders in the physical activity sector.

The partnership between Stages and the ukactive Research Institute aims to give further insight into the development of indoor cycling across the UK industry.

Boutique gym-goers are young, female and like working out on Tuesdays, according to ukactive’s report

A huge majority – 87 per cent – of fitness professionals working in the physical activity industry think new recruits are entering the sector with "unrealistic expectations".