Nearly half of employed Brits are eyeing side hustles, and new Hiscox data shows fitness is the fastest-growing category, with searches for trainers and instructors surging triple digits
The UK’s side hustle economy is booming, and fitness is at the center of it.
Nearly half of employed Brits (45%) are planning or considering a side gig, according to new research from specialist insurer Hiscox, which based its findings on Google search volumes from February 2024 to February 2025 and a survey of 600 UK adults conducted in April 2025. Of those, almost half (49%) hope to turn their side hustle into a full-time business.
Fitness has emerged as the top growth sector. Google search data analyzed by Hiscox shows that searches for personal training and coaching have more than doubled over the past year, rising 108%. Searches for fitness instructors across yoga, Pilates and Hyrox grew 67%.
The findings suggest a shift toward hands-on services tied to lifestyle and health, with a twofold effect: rising interest in fitness reflects growing demand for wellness and personal coaching, and more people are channeling that passion into income.
Notably, Hiscox’s findings state that TikTok has been a key driver, with the platform boosting the visibility of side hustles and helping users discover new career paths. The hashtag “#sidehustleideas” alone has generated 1.1 million global searches, according to the report.
“Side hustles that draw on practical, everyday skills are becoming increasingly popular – especially in home and lifestyle services,” Hiscox partnerships director Nick Thornhill said, adding that such ventures give people flexibility to earn on their own terms while supporting growing demand in their local communities. “It shows that success doesn’t always require a digital-first approach – sometimes, the most valuable services are the simplest and closest to home.”
