Landlords seeing the potential of gyms with Anytime Fitness growing rapidly

The leading health club provider aims to open 20 new sites in 2022

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, gyms and health clubs have become a desirable tenant for landlords nationwide. Anytime Fitness is looking to capitalise on this, opening 20 new locations in 2022, including several previously unobtainable city centre sites. 

According to global real estate advisors, CBRE, landlords are engaging with the health and fitness sector more collaboratively and seeing their potential as commercial tenants. Gyms are now seen as valuable additions for landlords. Even in the face of a three and a half month closure in 2021, Anytime Fitness opened 16 new clubs and now, in 2022 it is set to pass 200.

Ben Dixon, chief development officer at Anytime Fitness UK, said: “Having worked in the health and fitness industry for over 15 years, we’ve never been in a better place to access the property market. It’s fair to say that we’ve often been an afterthought when it comes to property and the likes of retail and hospitality have traditionally been the preference as commercial tenants. However, we’re now in a position to open health clubs in properties that were previously beyond our wildest dreams, and we’re well placed to take advantage of that.

“Our growth last year and ongoing performance has shown that health clubs are an attractive investment opportunity and we’re looking forward to playing an important role in revitalising high streets across the UK and Ireland.”

CBRE credits this change in attitude to the repositioning of retail assets and landlords taking a considered moment to reassess what they want from tenants.

Adam Caplan, director at CBRE, said: “Rental values on strong-performing high streets and retail parks have traditionally restrained gyms from being able to trade there; higher rents, when combined with other property costs, were unsustainable. The pandemic has created a situation where rents have been rebased to be more affordable in many areas, making it more viable for gyms to operate there.

“Add that to the sustained demand for health club memberships and the sector’s ability to be a consistent footfall driver and you can see why gyms and health clubs are seen as a long-term, viable occupier. Some of the openings in the pipeline from Anytime Fitness really are testament to this – of which you perhaps wouldn’t have seen pre-COVID.”

Away from city centres, Anytime Fitness is also opening in business parks and shopping centres. As they look to rebuild after the past two years, shopping centres are looking to innovate to maintain footfall and increase dwell time within their locations with wellness hubs comprising gyms and massage offerings.