Health Club Franchise Opportunities

Health Club Franchise Opportunities

Why open a health club franchise?

Around the UK, gyms and fitness club franchises are swelling with new memberships as more people prioritise getting fit. More than three-quarters of people living in the UK want to be healthy. And nearly half (48%) are doing something about it by taking part in regular exercise. That's according to PureGym UK’s 2025 Fitness Report.

That’s a 3% increase on the number of people exercising just one year ago, or around two million extra people.

“The UK fitness industry is in the best shape that it’s ever been,” says Kevin Yates, CEO of Lift Brands EMEA, the parent brand to Snap Fitness and Fitness On Demand.

“In 2024, it reached a record market value of £5.9bn, and more people in the UK have a gym membership than ever before (2024 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report) .”

How a health club franchise compares to other gyms on the market

There are more than 5,100 gyms in the UK, according to data from Statista. Consumers who want to join a gym have a range of options to choose from depending on their fitness goals.

“It goes right the way from low-cost gym operators, which focus on convenience from as little as £9.99 a month, to premium boutique operators, which focus on exceptional fitness programming, premium environments and customer experience,” Kevin says.

But what makes a health club franchise appealing? Compared with a basic, no-frills gym or a fitness studio that focuses only on a specific type of workout, health clubs offer consumers more variety and a considered customer experience.

They often have added extras (alongside a higher price tag), like pools, saunas or even cafes or childcare. For franchisees, that may mean a little more work – but equally more reward.

Running a health club franchise: potential benefits and setbacks

Like any business, there are pros and cons to gym franchises. Before making your decision, it’s important to weigh up the possible risks with the opportunities the sector has to offer to make sure it aligns with your priorities.

Potential benefits:

• Multiple revenue streams possible
• A broad audience
• Scalable models
• Memberships offer predictable income

Potential setbacks:

• High startup and operating costs
• Can be complex to manage
• High competition

While there are certainly challenges – especially when it comes to competition in the market – fitness gym franchises still look favourable next to other popular franchising sectors. “Our sector has been incredibly resilient to rising operational costs,” Kevin says.

“Franchises in the service industry have seen their profit margins significantly narrow with rising costs of ingredients and packaging. Higher staffing levels mean a big knock-on effect with the increases of the minimum wage. Fitness franchising is less affected, with our gyms typically only having two full-time members of staff,” he says.

A major highlight of the industry is the monthly revenue stream. “The main source of your income as a gym owner will be your membership revenue,” Kevin explains. “Paid via Direct Debit on a monthly basis, membership payments provide you with a consistent source of income.

“Experienced franchisees are drawn to this model, having typically had backgrounds in quick service restaurants where every day is completely different and less predictable, as well as requiring greater marketing spend to attract new custom.”

How to become a health club franchisee

Once you’ve done all the necessary research and found a gym business for sale, you’ll be ready to kickstart your health club franchising career – just like Sam Aujla.

Sam first opened a Snap Fitness franchise in 2021 and now owns four sites, with another to come in 2025. “Dad and I decided that franchising would be a great route for us to go down. We noticed how well the fitness industry was performing and decided we wanted to get involved,” Sam says.

Now, as a successful multi-site operator, Sam is showing other franchisees what’s possible. His franchise in Sligo in the north of Ireland broke Snap Fitness’ UK & Ireland presale record in February 2024, opening with more members than any other location.

Do you need industry experience?

Franchisees shouldn’t be put off if they don’t have fitness industry experience yet, Kevin says. It’s not a prerequisite to success in the sector. “Over 75% of our franchisees had no experience in fitness prior to investing. They’ve been able to lean on the level of support that we provide them to capitalise on the growth of the UK fitness industry.”

Sam’s experience is testament to this. “Neither Dad nor I had prior experience in the fitness industry, but [Snap Fitness] assured us that they would be able to assist us in finding a location, training staff and getting us up to speed with the day-to-day operations.

“Over time, I’ve developed my skill set and can confidently say I now understand what it takes to run a franchise – or four,” Sam says.

While sector-specific know-how isn’t necessary, it’s important to have certain key skills, according to Will Frankling, a seasoned expert in the franchise industry and founder of Franchise Local, a platform that connects entrepreneurs with franchise opportunities.

“Success hinges on strong leadership, strategic location selection and an unwavering focus on member experience.”

Franchisees will face challenges like managing operational costs and navigating evolving fitness trends, so they must stay adaptable. “The most successful owners prioritise exceptional service, invest in high-quality equipment, and foster a strong sense of community to encourage member retention.”

With competition high, Will believes choosing the right franchise model is crucial. “Factors like initial investment, support from the franchisor, and flexibility in programming can determine long-term viability.”

Making your health club franchise a success

Starting your gym franchise on a strong footing will help you get off to a flying start. In a membership-driven market, brands that can secure loyal customers will succeed. “A well-run health club franchise builds loyalty,” Will says.

“By focusing on innovation, service quality and smart financial management, franchisees can turn their business into a profitable, long-term success".

Read on for five expert recommendations for success as a fitness club franchise.

1. Go beyond basic

Compared with lower cost gyms, health clubs should offer a greater focus on member experience. “We’re increasingly finding that consumers want more than just a gym membership and convenient access.

“They’re looking for a facility that provides them with the tools and support they need to support their overall wellbeing,” Kevin says.

In addition to exercise studios and high-spec equipment, mid-market franchisor Snap Fitness offers extras like massage guns, compression boots and even infrared saunas in some locations.

2. Research the right location

Location is one of the biggest factors to a health club franchise’s success, in Kevin’s opinion. “Picking the right property is essential, and ensuring that you’re in a location where there’s demand for gym memberships and the right demographics for your product.”

Using data, you can zero in on key metrics such as population density, demographics, disposable income and existing competitors. “We rank these on a scorecard, and only if they reach a certain threshold will we present this as an option to our franchisees. The approach is working too; our new gyms in 2024 opened with 44% more members than those in 2023,” Kevin says.

3. Offer something unique — and shout about it

In a competitive industry, standing out is essential. Your gym might provide childcare for members, have an on-site cafe that acts as a community meeting space, or be built around a distinctive business model.

My Fit Pod offers a spin on traditional gyms where members can enjoy private, fully equipped training spaces, where even the sound system is under their control. In an industry saturated with similar gym concepts, real innovation is what drives growth, says Guy Woodliffe-Thomas , director of My Fit Pod.

But he knows that a successful franchisee needs more than just a great concept. “It takes commitment to marketing and local brand awareness,” Guy says.

“We provide franchisees with proven strategies and ongoing support, but their success depends on actively promoting the unique benefits of My Fit Pod to their community. Those who embrace the model and follow our guidance have the opportunity to build a profitable business in a rapidly growing niche.”

4. Consider customer motivations

While trends come and go, they’re worth keeping one eye on, as investing in the right ones can bring new faces into your health club franchise. Mark Williams opened his first Snap Fitness location in Truro in October 2024 and was one of Snap Fitness’ highest performing new openings of that year.

He is laser-focused on what brings new members into the gym. “Don’t just think people are going to come in that are the stereotypical gym user,” Mark advises.

“Model it towards everyone and include a varied range of equipment. Snap recognises it’s not just people that come in to lift weights that want a gym – it’s not like that anymore.”

5. Invest in a strong team

Choosing the right people to staff your franchise is essential. As Kevin says, your team is “the life and soul of your gym”.

“Having a team that can build great relationships with your members and deliver a fantastic experience is vital to your success. We work with a specialist recruitment agency to help our franchisees find the right individuals for their gyms, and we can even support with the interview process,” he says.

Guy agrees that a good team can make or break a franchise. My Fit Pod’s Berkhamsted franchise faced two major floods within their first six months due to heavy storms. But thanks to the team’s efforts, they still ended their first year profitably because of the dedicated community of members they had cultivated, including personal trainers, content creators and everyday gym-goers.

Choose if a health club franchise is right for you

Far from a flash-in-the-pan fad, health clubs have the potential to be some of the best UK franchises thanks to their broad appeal, member loyalty and opportunities for innovation.

Right now, the health club and gym industry has “sky-high potential”, Kevin says.

“Generation Z are going to be key to the future growth of the fitness industry. There’s research out there that shows that they’d rather an evening in the gym than going out for food or drinks,” Kevin explains.

For these consumers, health clubs are non-negotiable. “Gym memberships are seen as an essential part of their lifestyle, and we have a product that appeals to them, which is really exciting,” he says.

Ultimately, as with any fitness regime, the only way to succeed with a health club franchise is to put in the hours and break a sweat. As Will says, “Franchisees who actively engage with members, implement data-driven marketing strategies and continuously improve their offerings tend to thrive.”

If you're interested in buying a health club franchise, browse our wide range of franchise opportunities, including fitness studio franchises, gym franchises and sports franchises.