UK’s The Gym Group Generates $2.25 Billion USD in Social Value, Study Finds
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
Regular gym workouts might be paying off in more ways than one. A new analysis commissioned by The Gym Group suggests that the nationwide chain of affordable gyms has contributed an estimated $2.25 billion (or £1.8 billion) in social value to the UK since 2016—demonstrating how accessible fitness can drive long-term community benefits far beyond the gym floor.
The Gym Group, which operates 186 locations across the UK, is the first private-sector fitness operator to formally evaluate the societal impact of its business. The findings, based on research led by Sheffield Hallam University, will be included in the company’s 2020 Annual Report.
The analysis used a Social Value Calculator, initially commissioned by Sport England and the UK Government, and developed by data consultancy 4global in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University and Experian. The tool quantifies the social outcomes of physical activity in four categories: health, subjective wellbeing, education, and crime reduction. The estimates are based on factors including participation frequency, demographics, and local socio-economic data.
The results highlight a broad range of positive outcomes, from reduced risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and depression, to improved educational attainment and a lower incidence of crime among young men.
Before the pandemic, The Gym Group was generating an average of $613 (or £490) in social value per member annually—equating to approximately $3.75 million (or £3 million) per gym location each year. That figure grew steadily as gym usage increased, though overall visits declined in 2020 due to national lockdowns.
“Sustainability is in our DNA and the creation of £1.8bn of social value in the last 5 years is an important part of our purpose as a business,” said Richard Darwin, Chief Executive of The Gym Group. “We have been breaking down barriers to health and fitness since we opened our first gym in Hounslow in 2008 and are excited that every new opening adds social value of £3m per year, to local communities. These findings emphasise just how important physical activity is—not only for mental wellbeing and physical health, but also in the economic and social benefit it brings to the communities in which we operate.”
The company’s commitment to accessibility remains central to its strategy. Nearly half of the UK population lives within a 15-minute drive of a Gym Group location, and 32% of its gyms are based in the country’s most deprived areas—regions where inactivity tends to be highest and potential for impact greatest. The business has indicated that projected social value will now be a key factor in decisions about future gym openings.
“We are delighted The Gym Group has adopted the Social Value Calculator,” said Dr. Caroline Dalton, Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Genetics at Sheffield Hallam University. “The Calculator is based on 5 years of research by Dr. Larissa Davies and colleagues from Sheffield Hallam University, and is a measurement of the individual and societal benefits resulting from physical activity and the value it creates for the community.”
The research underscores the wider role fitness providers can play in public health and community development—particularly at a time when the value of preventative health measures has never been more apparent.
Credit: The Gym Group