Introduction
Britain is in the grip of a fitness boom. Budget gyms are popping up on every high street, boutique studios are filling former retail units, and even village halls are hosting body‑pump classes. But where in the UK is this health surge felt most keenly? To answer, we looked at one simple yardstick: the number of gyms per 100,000 residents across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The results crown a perhaps unexpected champion and reveal a nation‑wide race to build healthier communities.
How UK Fitness Rankings Are Determined: Methodology and Metrics Explained
- Gym count – We combined data from Leisure DB’s 2024 “State of the UK Fitness Industry” audit, Companies House listings and national sport agencies. We counted every commercial gym chain, independent club, boutique studio, CrossFit box, university facility, hotel gym and members‑only wellness club.
- Population – Latest mid‑2023 estimates from the Office for National Statistics and National Records of Scotland.
- Metric – Gyms per 100,000 people, rounded to one decimal place.
Formula: gym density = (number of gyms ÷ population) × 100,000.
The National League Table
| Rank | Nation | Gyms | Population (m) | Gyms per 100k |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wales | 385 | 3.16 | 12.2 |
| 2 | Scotland | 657 | 5.49 | 12.0 |
| 3 | England | 5,778 | 57.7 | 10.0 |
| 4 | Northern Ireland | 189 | 1.92 | 9.8 |
Source: Leisure DB 2024; ONS 2023.
With 12.2 gyms for every 100,000 residents, Wales edges out Scotland by the narrowest of margins, laying claim to the title of the UK’s “fittest nation”. England’s larger population drags its per‑capita figure down, while Northern Ireland sits just behind.
Top UK Cities for Physical Activity and Wellness
National figures hide dramatic local stories. Our analysis of 55 major urban areas shows smaller cities punching well above their weight:
| Rank | City | Gyms | Population | Gyms per 100k |
| 1 | Preston | 49 | 136,000 | 36.0 |
| 2 | Glasgow | 182 | 632,000 | 28.8 |
| 3 | Manchester | 145 | 553,000 | 26.2 |
| 4 | Nottingham | 82 | 329,000 | 24.9 |
| 5 | Bolton | 66 | 289,000 | 22.8 |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Preston’s 36 gyms per 100k make it Britain’s unexpected fitness capital, while Glasgow tops the leaderboard among the four devolved capitals. London, though awash with more than 1,100 gyms in absolute terms, ranks just 33rd per capita at 13 gyms per 100k.
Five-Year Fitness Trends Across the UK (2020–2025)
After cresting in 2019 with 7,239 gyms nationwide, the UK fitness sector lost roughly 4 % of clubs during the pandemic. Yet by 2024, the count has bounced back to 7,009 – signalling a resilient, growth‑ready market as Gen Z and over‑55s alike flock back to the gym floor.
Spotlight on Welsh Gyms: Leading the UK's Fitness Movement
UFit Fitness, Cardiff stands out with the nation’s largest Wattbike studio, a container‑style CrossFit zone and an on‑site café that keeps members social after their session.
Implications for Fitness Brands: Capitalizing on Wales' Health Leadership
- Retailers – Look to Wales and Scotland for expansion; both show headroom for premium and specialist concepts.
- Investors – Mid‑sized northern cities (Preston, Bolton) boast high density yet limited high‑spec facilities – prime territory for boutique launches.
- Public health bodies – Northern Ireland’s lower figure points to an opportunity for subsidised community gyms.
Wales Sets the Benchmark in UK Fitness
Measured by gym density, Wales is the UK’s fittest nation in 2024, with Scotland a whisker behind. England’s sheer size dilutes its ratio, while Northern Ireland has room to grow. The fitness boom shows no signs of slowing, and as fresh waves of consumers seek healthy lifestyles, the nations and cities that invest in accessible, innovative facilities will reap the greatest wellbeing dividends.
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