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Gone are the days when cardio rules the exercise landscape, says the boss of The Gym Group. It seems that people are hopping off the treadmill and picking up the weights.
According to the gym giant, fitness fans are increasingly prioritising strength training over traditional cardio workouts.
Will Orr, chief executive of The Gym Group, noted a “kind of evolution in the direction of strength at the expense of cardio” across its sites, driven by members’ desire to “feel and also look strong”.
He explained that while “Cardio is still really important and you will see lots of treadmills in our gyms, but proportionately, versus when the business first started, you’ll see more of the space being dedicated to weights, and in some cases some quite sophisticated machinery.”
Mr Orr highlighted “aspirational kit” such as advanced weightlifting machines and glute trainers, adding that “There is a mental health dimension to it which is a real motivator.”
Will Orr, chief executive of The Gym Group, noted a ‘kind of evolution in the direction of strength at the expense of cardio’ across its sites (Getty/iStock)
The Gym Group positions itself as a pioneer of the low-cost gym model, offering 24/7 access and flexible memberships that allow members to cancel at any time. Standard membership prices rose by about £1 year-on-year, averaging £25.64 a month, influenced by higher joining fees and increases for new members.
The average age of its members stands at around 30, with Gen Z individuals – those born between 1997 and 2012 – making up approximately 44 per cent of its membership last year.
Crucially, around three-quarters of these younger members exercise at least twice a week.
Mr Orr acknowledged the rise of upmarket gyms offering additional services like saunas, cafes, and co-working spaces at a premium. However, he stated The Gym Group does not foresee “getting into things like cafes,” though it recognises the importance of gyms as a “social space” for its members. He also pointed to a trend of people “trading down from the midmarket” in search of more affordable options.
The company runs 260 gyms across the UK and boasts approximately a million members. Its average membership saw a four per cent increase in 2025 compared to the previous year, contributing to an eight per cent rise in sales year-on-year, reaching £245 million.
