EMD UK Instructor Survey

Discover the real challenges your workforce is facing and how to retain your best talent

Diverse Group Of Friends In A Gym Smile And Pose After A Fitness Session

At the beginning of 2026, we reached out to our industry network and asked operators what you wanted to know about your instructors.

Working with our network and beyond, we surveyed 1,104 group exercise instructors – both EMD UK members and non-members – to understand where they work, the key challenges they face, the support they need, and their experiences within the group exercise industry.

800 teach in private gyms and leisure centres

42% of them said teaching group ex was their main job

9.2% of them said don't feel valued for the work they do

56% of them said they wanted more training & development

“EMD UK is committed to the group exercise workforce and our dedication to achieving our vision of healthier communities through group exercise.

However, we can’t achieve this if our workforce isn’t happy and isn’t committed to staying within the community.

From understanding where instructors work, what they teach and how many participants they engage with, to exploring their key goals within the industry and the challenges they face while teaching, this report provides the insight that operators and organisations need to better understand their workforces, increase retention within their staff, and understand opportunities for growth.“

Dan Rees, CEO, EMD UK

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