EMD UK figures show that around 4.86 million people take part in group classes every week
With a whole-system approach, we can achieve a healthier nation through exercise – Emma Forward
Group exercise is being presented as a solution to two of society's growing problems – inactivity and loneliness.
A study, published this week by EMD UK – the national governing body for group exercise – outlines the value and "far-reaching impact" of group fitness classes.
Entitled Sweating Your Assets: The value of group exercise, the report showcases the growing popularity of group-based training.
However, it also claims that the activity is "widely undervalued" as a gateway to activity – not just by the public but also by the fitness industry.
According to EMD UK figures, around 4.86 million people take part in group classes every week, following rapid growth which has seen the number grow by one million participants since 2016.
A large part of those are people who have been "activated" through classes – 29 per cent of current group exercise participants were classed as inactive before starting in a class.
As well as physical health benefits, the paper outlines how group exercise can be used to promote mental health benefits – such as tackling loneliness through social inclusion opportunities.
Despite the merits of group exercise and the growing number of people participating, EMD UK says that more needs to be done to promote the value of group exercise to wider society – and that health club operators have a key role to play.
"Group exercise is often an afterthought in leisure centre membership promotions, where the marketing line 'free classes included' frequently and instantly undervalues the activity," the report says.
"Many leisure and fitness operators are under pressure to reduce costs and offer cheaper services.
"Cuts to local authority budgets, the rise of the budget gym chains and growing competition for leisure spend mean the fitness market place is as competitive as it’s ever been.
"Health club operators and leisure providers must do more to promote the value of group exercise to their local communities to create healthier, more active people."
The report also claims that the group exercise workforce is "endemically undervalued".
"Instructors are the second biggest influencer on group exercise attendance and the face of the activity," the report states.
"Despite their work in helping people to get active, many instructors have not had a pay rise in over 10 years. Investing in instructor pay, continued professional development and understanding the value group exercise brings to their business all ways that health club operators can raise the profile of group exercise for the good of the nation."
Emma Forward, chief operating officer of EMD UK and author of the report, added: “As an activity, the benefits of group exercise are far-reaching.
"It is not just the individual participants who profit from better physical health, but wider society; increased mental welfare, lower stress, the opportunity to meet new people, fewer sick days, a reason to leave the house – all of these culminate in a healthier, more active society who are less dependent on social care.
“As the national governing body for group exercise, we are calling on the public, local authorities, health club operators, the workforce and the industry to recognise the value of group exercise. With one million more people participating since 2016, many more inactive people will convert to a regular physical activity habit. With a whole-system approach, we can achieve a healthier nation through exercise and Sweating Your Assets marks the start of this challenge for EMD UK.”
Cryotherapy supplier Art of Cryo has created a new 12-person walkthrough cryotherapy chamber
at Cryo Center Coolzone Madeira, claimed to be the largest cold therapy treatment experience
in the world.
Egym has introduced Open Mode on its Smart Strength machines, enabling them to be used as a
replacement for traditional weights on the fitness floor, rather than solely as circuit-based
machines.
Myzone has announced the launch of MZ-Open, an access function that enables Myzone gym users
to experience all the benefits of Myzone’s world-renowned heart rate training biome through
their pre-owned Apple or Android smartwatch.
Cardiff-based gym design and installation company, Absolute Performance, has been awarded
the contract to design, supply and install three gyms for Team GB for the 2024 games in
Paris.
As Third Space unveiled its latest club in Wimbledon at the end of 2023 as part of its growth
development into suburban, residential locations, it also revealed a new state of the art
Reformer Pilates studio at the new site in response to members seeking a low-impact, full-
body workout for all abilities.
Developed for the world of medicine, tailored to the needs of modern fitness studios. The
seca TRU seamlessly provides medical expertise for health-focused training with a clinically
validated body composition analysis meeting the health and fitness industry's evolving
demands.
Precor made history in 2011 with the launch of the first connected fitness console. Since
then, exercisers from over 340,000 facilities across 100 countries have completed an
astonishing 1.2 billion workouts and counting on Precor-connected fitness cardio products.
EMD UK figures show that around 4.86 million people take part in group classes every week
With a whole-system approach, we can achieve a healthier nation through exercise – Emma Forward
Group exercise is being presented as a solution to two of society's growing problems – inactivity and loneliness.
A study, published this week by EMD UK – the national governing body for group exercise – outlines the value and "far-reaching impact" of group fitness classes.
Entitled Sweating Your Assets: The value of group exercise, the report showcases the growing popularity of group-based training.
However, it also claims that the activity is "widely undervalued" as a gateway to activity – not just by the public but also by the fitness industry.
According to EMD UK figures, around 4.86 million people take part in group classes every week, following rapid growth which has seen the number grow by one million participants since 2016.
A large part of those are people who have been "activated" through classes – 29 per cent of current group exercise participants were classed as inactive before starting in a class.
As well as physical health benefits, the paper outlines how group exercise can be used to promote mental health benefits – such as tackling loneliness through social inclusion opportunities.
Despite the merits of group exercise and the growing number of people participating, EMD UK says that more needs to be done to promote the value of group exercise to wider society – and that health club operators have a key role to play.
"Group exercise is often an afterthought in leisure centre membership promotions, where the marketing line 'free classes included' frequently and instantly undervalues the activity," the report says.
"Many leisure and fitness operators are under pressure to reduce costs and offer cheaper services.
"Cuts to local authority budgets, the rise of the budget gym chains and growing competition for leisure spend mean the fitness market place is as competitive as it’s ever been.
"Health club operators and leisure providers must do more to promote the value of group exercise to their local communities to create healthier, more active people."
The report also claims that the group exercise workforce is "endemically undervalued".
"Instructors are the second biggest influencer on group exercise attendance and the face of the activity," the report states.
"Despite their work in helping people to get active, many instructors have not had a pay rise in over 10 years. Investing in instructor pay, continued professional development and understanding the value group exercise brings to their business all ways that health club operators can raise the profile of group exercise for the good of the nation."
Emma Forward, chief operating officer of EMD UK and author of the report, added: “As an activity, the benefits of group exercise are far-reaching.
"It is not just the individual participants who profit from better physical health, but wider society; increased mental welfare, lower stress, the opportunity to meet new people, fewer sick days, a reason to leave the house – all of these culminate in a healthier, more active society who are less dependent on social care.
“As the national governing body for group exercise, we are calling on the public, local authorities, health club operators, the workforce and the industry to recognise the value of group exercise. With one million more people participating since 2016, many more inactive people will convert to a regular physical activity habit. With a whole-system approach, we can achieve a healthier nation through exercise and Sweating Your Assets marks the start of this challenge for EMD UK.”
Cryotherapy supplier Art of Cryo has created a new 12-person walkthrough cryotherapy chamber
at Cryo Center Coolzone Madeira, claimed to be the largest cold therapy treatment experience
in the world.
Egym has introduced Open Mode on its Smart Strength machines, enabling them to be used as a
replacement for traditional weights on the fitness floor, rather than solely as circuit-based
machines.
Myzone has announced the launch of MZ-Open, an access function that enables Myzone gym users
to experience all the benefits of Myzone’s world-renowned heart rate training biome through
their pre-owned Apple or Android smartwatch.
Cardiff-based gym design and installation company, Absolute Performance, has been awarded
the contract to design, supply and install three gyms for Team GB for the 2024 games in
Paris.
As Third Space unveiled its latest club in Wimbledon at the end of 2023 as part of its growth
development into suburban, residential locations, it also revealed a new state of the art
Reformer Pilates studio at the new site in response to members seeking a low-impact, full-
body workout for all abilities.