Last Updated on February 9, 2026 by Laura Jensen
Recently, Sport England explored the role that gyms, pools and leisure centres play in supporting physical, mental and economic wellbeing. Their research, conducted in partnership with ukactive, revealed that “77% of members join a gym or leisure facility primarily to improve their mental health and wellbeing” [1].
For many, gyms are no longer places people sign up to in January only to abandon in the following months. Instead, they are increasingly recognised as essential spaces that support regular physical activity, reflecting a better understanding of the truth breadth of benefits exercise provides.
The role of group exercise within fitness centres
Within these spaces, group exercise often serves as the first, safest and most reliable point of engagement for those new to the gym or exercising regularly. Plus, through confidence building and accessible class delivery, it encourages strong retention.
According to the Les Mills 2026 Global Fitness Report, 65% of people surveyed report that they are doing the same or more group-based exercise than three years ago, with 34% saying they are doing more and a further 29% reporting no change [2]. These findings highlight the sustained and growing demand for instructor-led, community-based activity.
The report also found that:
This reinforces the role that facilities and exercise play in supporting holistic wellbeing and is further supported by findings from EMD UK’s Social Value Report.
The social value of group exercise
Case studies included within the EMD UK Social Value Report consistently show the transformative role that group exercise can play with regards to wellness, especially reducing the risk or impact of long-term health conditions and enhancing community.
Participants and instructors describe significant improvements in both mental and physical wellbeing through their participation in group exercise, often going beyond traditional motivations such as improving fitness or weight management.
Participants with long-term health conditions, including hypermobility, post-cancer recovery, back pain, and age-related mobility restrictions, reported that group exercise helped them manage their symptoms and cope better with the impact of their conditions, supporting greater day-to-day mobility and comfort.
These case studies also reinforce the strong belief that group exercise plays a vital role in strengthening community and social connection, encouraging long-term participation in physical activity and supporting higher retention rates where group exercise is delivered in gyms, leisure centres and pools.
This community impact is further supported by evidence from EMD UK’s Social Value Report, which shows that group exercise not only fosters social connections but also generates substantial social value by improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness, and supporting wider public health outcomes – resulting in over £5.3 billion in social value and saving the NHS more than £511 million per year.
The impact on marginalised communities
Importantly, group exercise often reaches demographics that are traditionally less likely to engage in standalone gym activity, including women, older adults and individuals from lower-income communities.
Unlike solo exercise, group exercise creates shared experiences that help individuals build routine and community. These connections can become powerful motivators, helping participants maintain activity levels and supporting behaviour change over time. For many individuals, the social interaction provided through group exercise is just as important as the physical activity itself.
This aligns closely with Sport England’s wider ambition to reduce inactivity by creating welcoming and inclusive environments where people feel they belong, as outlined in their article. When participants feel connected – both to the activity and to those around them – they are far more likely to remain engaged and develop sustainable exercise habits.
The critical role of the instructor
A key factor in the success of group exercise, whether delivered in a gym or leisure centre or out in the community, is the role of instructors themselves.
As the National Governing Body for Group Exercise, one of EMD UK’s core missions is to make sure instructors are recognised for their vital role in driving engagement, motivation, and participant retention. Beyond delivering sessions, instructors often act as informal wellbeing advocates, offering encouragement, guidance, and reassurance that supports participants both physically and mentally.
In the broader context of health driving wealth, instructors are an essential workforce, especially within the gym and leisure spaces. Their ability to inspire behaviour change, cultivate connection, and sustain participation extends the impact of leisure facilities far beyond their physical spaces or equipment.
To explore the full impact of group exercise on the UK economy, you can download the EMD UK Social Value Report here or by clicking the button below.
We delve not only into case studies demonstrating our value to the community but also the key stats and impact that we’ve made on health and wellbeing.
References:
[1] Health drives wealth: gyms, pools and leisure centres play a big part – Sport England: https://www.sportengland.org/blogs/health-drives-wealth-gyms-pools-and-leisure-centres-play-big-part
[2] Les Mills 2026 Global Fitness Report: https://contact.lesmills.com/insight-hub
