Record numbers of Britons are joining gyms, with 11.5 million people aged 16 and over now holding memberships, a rise of 1.6 million from 2022. This means one in six people in the UK are gym members, driven largely by generation Z, according to a report by UKActive, the trade body for fitness operators.
The surge is attributed to a 'generational shift' where younger adults prioritise health and socialising at the gym over traditional venues like pubs. Huw Edwards, UKActive's chief executive, said: 'Young people are seeing health and fitness as part of their identity and a non-negotiable when it comes to their personal priorities. Many of them are telling us they prefer going to the gym rather than more traditional venues for socialising such as the pub.'
David Minton, founder of Leisure Database, noted that gen Z are also using gyms to meet romantic partners and expand social networks. 'For them, gym-going is all about the social element. It's not about losing weight, because most of them don't need to,' he said. The report found that 83% of members joined to improve physical strength, 76% for mental wellbeing, and 75% to boost confidence and appearance.
The UK health and fitness market grew to £5.7 billion last year, with 5,607 clubs hosting 616 million visits. The rise of lower-cost and pay-as-you-go gyms has also boosted participation. The proportion of gym members in the UK now stands at 16.9%, one of the highest in Europe.
