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Michael Oliver outlines the key findings of
Mintel’s new Health and Fitness Clubs UK report
F
rom humble beginnings in the club openings and an increase in the
late 1980s and early 1990s, the proportion of adults who are members.
health and fitness club industry However, Mintel research shows that
has grown to be a substantial private club openings have slowed over
market: in its new Health and Fitness the past year as the funding necessary
Clubs UK report, released in October to pursue an aggressive expansion
2009, Mintel estimates that – as at mid- programme has dried up – a result of Work together: More than one in
2009 – there were around 2,645 private the combined impact of the banking three people questioned by Mintel
clubs in the UK (see table 1, below) crisis and the associated economic said joining with a friend would be
generating revenues of £2.525bn. recession, as well as a scarcity of key to their staying motivated
Member penetration of private gyms, suitable development sites.
meanwhile, has stabilised at 10.45 per Meanwhile, some clubs report fl at
cent of adults (July 2009 sample of 4,000 revenue and member numbers for While health clubs are used to losing
internet users aged 16 and over). 2008–09, while others have seen a 30 to 40 per cent of their members
After sports participation – which decline in both measures; as consumer each year, the effect of the economic
accounts for an annual spend of £4.6bn confi dence has plummeted amid fears crisis has been to make attrition an even
– health and fi tness clubs constitute of job losses, mounting debt levels and more pronounced issue, as clubs are not
the second biggest active sector, with rounds of pay freezes or pay cuts, the adding new members as quickly as they
a value around three times the annual public at large has been cutting back used to. This is a key contributor to the
spend on standalone fi tness classes on non-essential items. virtual halting of market growth.
(classes held outside the home In addition – and in spite
for which a fee is payable, not TABLE 1 – NUMBER OF PRIVATE HEALTH of the unprecedented and
including classes held at a club AND FITNESS CLUBS IN THE UK, 2004–2009 ongoing coverage given to
that are provided as part of the benefi ts of exercise
the membership).
YEAR NUMBER OF CLUBS
and keeping fi t in the news
Revenues are forecast to headlines – the economic
2004 2,667
grow towards £3bn over the climate has had a real impact
next fi ve years, putting the UK 2005 2,671 on how existing members view
health and fi tness club sector private gym use. Research
on a par with the UK video
2006 2,671
conducted for Mintel’s new
and computer games market.
2007 2,668
report revealed that 23
per cent of consumers had
confidence crisis
2008 2,660
already cancelled their gym
During the past fi ve years, the
2009 (est) 2,645
membership, with a further 6
market has grown by nearly per cent planning to do so. A
a quarter on the back of new Sources: Mintel further 11 per cent said they
56 Read Health Club Management online january 2010 © cybertrek 2010
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