Group exercise retains its spot as the most popular form of fitness activity in England

Within the Active Lives survey, the ‘fitness classes’ category covers a wide range of group exercise disciplines, including Pilates, yoga, boxing classes, cardio classes, core strength classes, cycle classes, dance-based classes, water-based classes, weights-based classes, and other fitness or exercise classes. 

Across all these disciplines, we have secured our spot as the most popular form of fitness activity in England for the third year in a row! 

7.2 million adults (classed as anyone over 16) confirmed that they had taken part in some form of fitness class in the last 28 days from when they were surveyed between November 2024 – November 2025. Overall, compared to the same period from 2023-2024, that’s an increase of 284,000 participants coming through our doors and into our studios, community centres or gyms. 

We’re very proud of our group exercise community and the work you’ve all put in to support this growth and increase access to group exercise for so many participants.  

Alongside this overall growth, there has also been a significant increase in the number of women taking part in fitness classes cementing group exercise as a key way to engage more women and encourage them to be more physically active.   

It’s also fantastic to see that there has been a general increase in engagement with ‘Fitness activities’ overall with 921,000 more adults taking part compared to 12 months ago, indicating a return to long term growth. This puts the number of adults taking part in ‘fitness activities’ at 15.3 million, a 1.4% growth on 2023-2024. 

This represents just over 2m (+2.4%) more adults taking part compared to eight years ago (Nov 16-17).  

In line with Sport England’s goals to support and provide access for both older and younger adults to access fitness activities, it’s fantastic to see that more older adults are choosing to take part in fitness activities. There has been an increase of 4.7% in those aged 55+ with a disability, in comparison to 2016-17’s data. The fitness activities driving the growth within this age group are cycle classes, yoga and Pilates.  

We have also seen an increase in younger adults taking part in fitness activities, with their presence in fitness activities and fitness classes increasing by 3.3% since Nov 21-22.   

This is fantastic news overall for our sector and each individual instructor, showing that the hard work we’ve undertaken to encourage England’s population into physical activity and achieve our vision of healthier communities through group exercise is making an impact.  

As your national governing body, we know there’s still more work to do but we want to congratulate you all on the incredible achievement that the fitness classes you provide are evidently supporting 7.2 million people in their quests for more active lives. 

This impact powerfully demonstrates the vital role that group exercise plays in improving the nation’s health and wellbeing and reinforces why EMD UK remains committed to championing the value, impact and professionalism of the group exercise workforce at every level. 

Through our ongoing advocacy work with government departments, including Department for Culture, Media and Sport, alongside partners such as Sport England and wider sector stakeholders, we continue to represent the voices of our members and raise awareness of the significant contribution group exercise makes to society. 

From improving physical and mental wellbeing, to reducing social isolation and supporting healthier communities, group exercise delivers substantial social value every day. We will continue working to ensure instructors, operators and the wider workforce are recognised, supported and provided with opportunities to further grow the reach and impact of group exercise across England.