A major new report from Sport England and 4Global has strengthened calls for the Government to increase support for gyms, swimming pools and public leisure centres in the forthcoming Autumn Budget, warning that the sector is delivering billions in social value despite operating under severe financial pressure.
The annual Moving Communities report highlights the critical role these facilities play in improving national health and wellbeing, with public leisure centres contributing an estimated £3.63 billion in social value between April 2024 and March 2025. This figure reflects both the personal wellbeing benefits experienced by users and significant savings to public services, particularly the NHS.
According to the report, no other part of the sport, recreation and physical activity sector delivers impact on this scale. Participation in gym activities rose 13% year on year, with notable increases among women, under-16s, over-65s, and people living in England’s most deprived communities.
Women now make up 53% of all users, and gym activity among female participants increased 12%. Among under-16s, participation surged 21%, while visits by over-65s rose 19%. Engagement in the most deprived areas grew 7%, with these communities now accounting for 16% of national visits.
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