Top 10 Sports, Fitness and Gym Franchises in the UK

Becky Martin, writer

Published at 01/07/2019, Updated on 21/11/2024 , Reading time: 10 min

Top 10 Sports, Fitness and Gym Franchises in the UK — Photo © top-fitness-franchises(3).jpg

Photo © bootcamp-pilates-franchise-studio.jpg

late birthday — Photo © late-birthday.jpg

Photo © body-street.jpg

At a time when people are increasingly conscious of their health and fitness levels, businesses that promote and facilitate exercise are doing better than ever. So, we’ve made a list of the top sports, fitness and gym franchises in the UK.

For many of us, the list of reasons for not going to the gym is nearly as exhaustive as the list of benefits of exercising. Expensive membership fees, complicated machinery and feeling intimidated are the most-used excuses for choosing the sofa over the treadmill. But with recent figures from the British Heart Foundation stating that a devastating 180 people in the UK die of a heart attack evey day, it's no surprise Brits are starting to prioritise their health and invest in getting fit.

There's no denying the UK still has a problem with weight control, with 62 percent of adults being overweight or obese. But people are starting to wise up on the detrimental impact this has on their health and take the appropriate measures to shed a few pounds. According to the 2019 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report, there are over 7,200 gyms in the UK, and almost 10 million gymgoers visiting them. With the UK health and fitness industy growing each year, it is hardly surprising the market value is approximately £5 billion.

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The main driving force behind this impressive industry growth is the increased popularity of low-cost gyms. Having an affordable monthly membership fee tackles the main reason Brits give for not going to the gym - expensive entry costs. Low-cost gyms now account for around 15 percent of the market value and 35 percent of memberships.

From March 2018 to March 2019, the number of fitness facilities increased by just under three percent, while the number of members that use them has risen by 4.7 percent. Overall, the total value of the market has grown in value by 4.2 percent. The statistics are a clear indication that now is a great time to start a business in the lucrative fitness industry. But what are the best sports, fitness and gym franchises out there at the moment?

Reasons why starting a sports, fitness or gym franchise is a great idea

Lucrative wellness trend
Rise of social media influencers
New, accessible business models
Decline of high street retail businesses
Impressive growth potential

To see a full breakdown of each of these points, check out another one of our articles: 5 advantages of running a sports, fitness or gym franchise.

Top 10 sports, fitness and gym franchise opportunites in the UK

1. Bootcamp Pilates

This franchise has developed a unique business model, offering class attendees the chance to try ‘Dynamic Reformer Pilates’, an approach brought across from the US, where its first studios were. The founders believe that they have established the “best, fastest and safest way to transform your posture, strength and shape”.

Becoming a Bootcamp Pilates franchisee: If you want to join this unique franchise business and benefit from the growing number of people looking to improve their fitness, you can start up your own Bootcamp Pilates unit. Click here to learn more.
How much you need to invest: The Bootcamp Pilates investment requirement falls between £35,000 and £70,000.
What you get for your investment: The franchise team will make sure you have access to management training and support with business planning, finance, site selection, operations set-up, launch and marketing.

2. Late Birthday Project

This is the UK’s fastest growing and most innovative coaching programme for children aged 5-14. It offers a ground-breaking programme of professional academy coaching to young footballers born between January and August only.

Becoming a Late Birthday Project franchisee: In order to be accepted onto the franchise programme, you need to have previous experience coaching children, strong communication skills and a good understanding of football. Click here to find out more.
How much you need to invest: An investment of £4,995 is all that’s required.
What you get for your investment: You’ll be provided with everything you need to make your business a success. This includes business advice, full training, a Franchise Support Manager and more.

3. The Shredquarters

The Shredquarters is committed to creating a community spirit for gymgoers and offering structured classes with diverse themes. This way, it attracts a wide range of members and no two classes are the same.

Becoming a Shredquarters franchisee: If you’re driven, have great communication skills and are passionate about health and wellness, you’re encouraged to apply. Click here to get started.
How much you need to invest: Think you’ve got what it takes to earn a potential revenue of £240,000 after two years? A minimum investment of £50,000 and a total investment of £90,000 is required.
What you get for your investment: There is support with locating premises and sourcing equipment, and recruiting and training staff. The Shredquarters also provides franchisees with a complete business management tool, a launch marketing programme and evolving course programmes that keep members interested.

Lucrative business opportunity The fitness industry has an estimated total value of over £5 billion

4. Leisure Leagues

Leisure Leagues is the world’s most extensive provider of small-sided football leagues and the third most popular fitness business at Point Franchise. It organises more than 184,000 five and six-a-side matches every year and welcomes 63,000 players every week. As a franchise with 30 years in the business, it’s a fantastic place to start if you’re a football fan and want to be your own boss.

Becoming a Leisure Leagues franchisee: The franchise is confident that you will be able to make huge returns by becoming one of its business partners. It provides insight into potential profits, which rise from £875 for managing one team, all the way up to £83,600 for 96 teams. Click here to find out more.
How much you need to invest: If you’re interested in starting a Leisure Leagues business, you can do so for a total investment of just £5,995.
What you get for your investment: In return, you’ll gain access to a dedicated Franchise Support Manager and be given specific advice on SEO, graphic design, social media marketing and tax and legal aid.

5. Snap Fitness 24/7

Snap Fitness 24/7 is a fitness franchise that was established in 2003 and has since expanded to more than 65 clubs in the UK. But it’s not just a success in the UK – there are over 2,000 clubs open or in development in 26 countries. In order to attract customers and keep them satisfied, Snap Fitness 24/7 maintains tight cost controls and makes sure that the all clubs have a premium feel.

Becoming a Snap Fitness 24/7 franchisee: Click here to find out more.
How much you need to invest: You need to make a minimum investment of £125,000 and a total investment of £450,000.
What you get for your investment: The fitness brand provides its franchisees with ongoing support, including with securing the right site, recruitment training, development opportunities, monthly marketing support and much more.

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Fitness Space

If you’re looking for a gym franchise with a special ability to help customers achieve their fitness goals, look no further than Fitness Space. With attentive staff and state-of-the-art technology and facilities, Fitness Space likes to think of itself as a health club as well as a gym. It offers yoga, personal training sessions, small group sessions and fitness camps. Its success sees many franchisees going on to open secondary and tertiary facilities.

Becoming a Fitness Space franchise: Click here to find out more.
How much you need to invest: An initial fee of £24,950 and an additional cost of £50,750 will start you on your Fitness Space journey. As part of this fee, franchisees can make the most of discounts on equipment due to already established relationships with the franchisor.
What you get for your investment: Fitness Space offers its franchises an extensive support package that includes help with site selection, financial planning and lease negotiation, as well as a comprehensive training programme at Fitness Space’s headquarters.

7. 9Round

9Round is a fitness franchise with a difference. It focuses on 30-minute, total-body circuit training for gymgoers who don’t have a lot of time to spare. It’s actively looking for dedicated franchisees and has 750 available territories across the globe.

Becoming a 9Round franchisee: If you want to take advantage of 9Round’s low-cost investment opportunity and set up three sites for the amount it would take to set up one traditional gym, you can. Click here to find out more.
How much you need to invest: 9Round has two investment options. Being an owner-manager of one gym will cost at least £70,000 and a total of £180,000.
What you get for your investment: 9Round’s franchise team is based in South-West London and supports franchisees every step of the way. You’ll get help with site selection, staff training and marketing.

8. Bodystreet

Bodystreet offers an opportunity for those with little or no time to get fit and stay fit. Its proven, once-a-week, 20-minute workout programme helps burn fat, build muscle, tone and shape. Bodystreet operates boutique fitness studios where members receive personal instruction from its highly trained team.

Becoming a Bodystreet franchisee: This sports franchise is looking for new franchisees. To learn more and sign up, click here.
How much you need to invest: In order to invest in a Bodystreet franchise, you’ll need a minimum investment of £10,000.
What you get for your investment: In partnership with one of the UK’s leading providers, the innovative franchise has developed a training programme. This means that franchisees and their team can undergo industry-recognised training at a fraction of the cost.

9. SportsCool

SportsCool is one of the foremost specialist providers of sports and physical education to primary schools in the UK. The fitness franchise inspires and motivates children to live healthily, become more confident and maximise participation in sports. SportsCool is passionate about enriching the lives of young people through physical education.

Becoming a SportsCool franchisee: This franchise is looking for savvy entrepreneurs to help take it to the next level. To learn more and sign up, click here.
How much you need to invest: In order to become a franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum investment of £19,995.
What you get for your investment: SportsCool delivers to franchisees, not just excellent first-class training, but some of the highest level of support available in the industry today. This will ensure you are well on the way to making a six-figure salary within three years.

10. Sandstone Yoga & Pilates

This yoga & Pilates studio offers daily classes from a varied timetable, as well as courses, workshops, teaching training and more.

Becoming a Sandstone Yoga & Pilates franchisee: You don’t need any previous experience to be accepted onto the programme; it’s more important to be ambitious, resilient and self-motivated. Click here to find out more.
How much you need to invest: A minimum investment of £10,000 is required.
What you get for your investment: Full yoga teacher training, business support, recruitment support, a detailed operations manual and more.

Start a sports, fitness or gym franchise with Point Franchise

Hopefully, you’ve been intrigued by one of these franchises and are eager to find out more. You can browse our full list of fitness franchises here. If you want to make sure you’re up to date with the latest developments in the industry, check out our top 7 sports and fitness trends of 2020.