Game, Set & Match (Maker) For The Health & Fitness Club Market

We have all heard of making new acquaintances at the supermarket, but it would seem that your local gym could offer just as much match-making potential! The latest exclusive consumer research from MINTEL shows that as many as one in five (19%) private health club members have met good friends or a partner at their gym, while one in four (26%) see their club as a good place to meet like-minded people.

What is more, around one in five (19%) enjoy socialising in the bar after a workout and a similar proportion (17%) have been to a club organised event.

"Health and fitness clubs are now so much more than just somewhere to exercise and get fit, as many members clearly see their gym as a place to meet friends and socialise. Clubs could look to organise more networking and evening socials for their members, while major dating agencies might like to consider acquiring a strategic stake in health and fitness clubs as a base for their activities," comments Mark Brechin, senior leisure analyst at MINTEL.

Healthy growth for Health and Fitness Clubs

Over the past few years, health and fitness clubs have struggled in the face of rising fixed costs, such as energy bills and rent, as well as increased competition. But 2006 saw their luck change and MINTEL predicts a 9% increase in revenue this year, compared to annual growth of around half this (5%) in previous years.

The market is set to reach the £2.5 billion mark this year, with the number of members (both of private clubs and public gyms) forecast to break through the 5 million barrier, suggesting that one in ten of us is now a member of some kind of health and fitness club.

Although membership fees generate the lion's share (76%) of revenue, it is the little added extras that have seen the greatest increase. Indeed, revenue generated by bar food and drinks, beauty treatments and in particular personal trainers, has increased 32% since 2002 and now generates well over £0.5 billion a year in revenue.

Looking to the future, MINTEL's research shows that amongst those adults who have never been to a health & fitness club, 8% of adults would be interested in using one, underlining the considerable latent potential in the market. What is more, MINTEL forecasts that the market value will reach £3.4 billion by 2012, increasing almost 40% over the next 5 years, with the number of members set to reach 7.6 million.

"The market is set for impressive growth in the coming five years. Competitive pressures and energy prices have eased off from their peak at the end of 2005 and the start of 2006. Meanwhile, consolidation within the industry has removed a lot of the discounting on membership and joining fees amongst the leading club chains," explains Mark Brechin.