Fitness classes continue to represent an important and growing segment of the UK health and fitness market. Private health and fitness clubs have driven the sophistication of group exercise in terms of programming, increased repertoire and use of motivational tools, with today’s consumer prepared to pay more for higher quality equipment and facilities.

The growing interest in healthy lifestyles has been a positive for fitness class operators; however, the problem of many leading sedentary lifestyles remains, with rising levels of obesity presenting a major barrier to participation. Recognising this trend, operators are widening their reach and providing classes for all abilities.

Retention is a major issue for the industry; this report tests the hypothesis “Operators must continue to increase both the variety of fitness classes on offer and the different time and location formats in which these are available, if they are to retain custom amongst consumers for whom motivation and lifestyle constraints can often lead to lapses in attendance”.

The report looks at current patterns of attendance, identifies barriers to participation, assesses how different types of classes are evolving and outlines prospective future developments within the sector. It explores consumer behaviour and attitudes towards fitness classes and identifies key consumer groups within the market.