A significant majority of gym members with long-term health conditions rely on their fitness routines not just for physical strength but also for their mental wellbeing, according to a new survey released by ukactive. The research, conducted by Savanta, highlights that 77% of these members work out to improve both their mental and physical health.
The survey, part of a broader engagement study, polled over 8,000 individuals throughout 2024, revealing that fitness centers play a crucial role in managing health conditions recommended by medical professionals. This includes a wide array of ailments from musculoskeletal disorders to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Of the respondents with long-term conditions, 80% joined gyms to maintain or enhance physical fitness, while others cited improvements in mental health (77%), confidence (76%), and sleep (69%) as key motivations. The importance of gym memberships extends across all gym users, with 56% acknowledging its role in adhering to health advice and managing various conditions.
The findings come at a time when the UK faces significant health challenges, including a high number of long-term sickness-related work absences totaling 2.82 million people. Despite these challenges, the survey notes an uptick in gym attendance, especially during January — one of the busiest months for fitness facilities.
Huw Edwards, ukactive’s CEO, emphasized the alignment of these findings with government health goals, advocating for increased support for community fitness facilities. “These findings show more people turning to our sector to support them in managing a variety of physical and mental health conditions,” Edwards said in a press release. He further urged the government to recognize the potential of gyms, pools, and leisure centers in reducing health inequalities.
Supporting this call, recent data from Sport England indicates that regular physical activity can prevent up to 600,000 cases of type 2 diabetes annually, along with significant reductions in dementia and depression cases. This prevention translates into considerable savings for the health system, underscoring the economic benefits of facilitating broader access to fitness services.
