Exercise and Fitness Statistics Report
According to recent UK government data on fitness, physical inactivity contributes to around one in six (16.7%) deaths in the UK each year, with an estimated annual cost of £7.4 billion. Approximately 12% of this (£0.9 billion) is directly attributed to NHS expenditure.
It’s estimated that the UK population is around 20% less active now than it was in the 1960s. Should current trends continue, this figure could rise to 35% by 2030.
With this in mind, Chemist4U has compiled an exercise and fitness statistics report outlining the latest 2025 fitness stats. This includes recent UK sports participation statistics, the evolution of the gym industry, and what this means for average cardio fitness levels by age group.
We also explore the link between exercise and mental health to examine the most common benefits of exercise and how this is shaping the UK’s health and fitness industry.
- Around seven in 10 (69%) people walk at least twice a week. (Source: ukactive)
- The recommended amount of exercise for UK adults is 150 minutes of moderate activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, per week. (Source: Office for Health Improvement & Disparities).
- Mortality rates could decrease by 30% if everyone followed the recommended government guidelines for fitness and exercise. (Source: Office for Health Improvement & Disparities)
- Almost half (49%) of people exercise to improve their mental health. (Source: PureGym)
- Just over three-quarters (77%) of people with pre-existing health conditions participate in some form of exercise at least once a week. (Source: ukactive)
- Two-thirds (66%) of people use smart devices to monitor their personal health data. (Source: PureGym)
- The City of London has the highest rate of sporting facilities per population, with 111.85 per 10,000 people. (Source: ONS)
- The UK gym industry was valued at £6.5 billion in 2025, with 7,202 gyms across the country for 11.3 million users. (Source: Leisure DB)
- More than four in five (83%) people join the gym to improve/maintain their physical strength and fitness. (Source: ukactive)
- The biggest barrier to people joining a gym is the cost (68%). (Source: ukactive)
Facts about exercise
UK exercise statistics
According to the latest exercise statistics, almost seven in 10 (69%) people surveyed by ukactive walk at least twice a week for leisure or travelling, making it the most popular form of exercise.
This was followed by almost a quarter (24%) of respondents who regularly take part in home activities, fitness, or exercise classes that are not available online.
The percentage of people undertaking a fitness/exercise activity at least twice a week
Almost one in five (19%) people questioned go running or jogging at least twice a week. This was the same or comparable to the proportion who said they regularly attend gym, fitness, or exercise classes away from home and participate in online exercise/fitness classes at home.
UK physical activity statistics
Recent exercise statistics indicate that almost two-fifths (37%) of people engage in 31 to 149 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, followed by just under a quarter (23%) who regularly spend 150 minutes or more a week on this level of exercise.
The percentage of people doing moderate or vigorous physical activity each week by length of time
Almost one in five people, around 19%, say they do not spend any time each week doing moderate or vigorous exercise. This is similar to the number of people, around 21%, who spend only up to 30 minutes a week exercising at that intensity.
Findings from our obesity statistics report also show a slight difference between men and women in the amount of time spent on sports and exercise each week. For example, between 8% and 21% of men spend less than 75 minutes a week on sport/exercise-related activities. This is contrasted by a range of 7% to 25% for women.
The percentage of people doing moderate or vigorous physical activity each week by gym status
Further analysis of UK exercise statistics shows that:
- Less than half of current gym members, around 45%, do between 31 and 149 minutes of moderate or vigorous exercise each week. This drops to 39% among people who used to have a gym membership and to 29% among people who have never had one.
- Current gym members are around twice as likely to do 150 minutes or more a week of moderate/vigorous exercise compared to non-gym members (34% vs. 17%, respectively).
- The proportion of people who do not do any moderate or vigorous exercise each week is about 10 times higher in non-gym members. 33% of people without a gym membership do no weekly exercise at this intensity compared with only 3% of current gym members.
UK sports participation statistics
As of 2023 to 2024, around 22.6 million UK adults walked for leisure at least once a week, based on Sport England’s survey carried out from November 2023 to November 2024.
This is an increase of almost 23.5% compared with 2015 to 2016, when the figure was 18.3 million. However, it also represents a 5.8% drop from the peak in 2021 to 2022, when 24 million adults walked for leisure each week.
The number of adults (16+) who have recently taken part in selected fitness activities
The number of adults in the UK who take part in active travel each week, such as walking to work or cycling to get somewhere, was around 15.9 million in 2023/24. This is roughly the same as in 2015/16. However, the figures did change over time, peaking at 16.9 million in 2018/19 before falling to 12.6 million the following year.
Looking at fitness activities, the number of UK adults taking part ranged from 11.4 million in 2020/21 to 14.2 million in 2023/24. That’s an increase of almost a quarter, or 24.6%, in the past three years.
UK exercise participation statistics by region
An analysis of UK exercise stats reveals that, on average, around four-fifths (80.9%) of people participate in some form of exercise.
The highest percentage of engagement in physical activity was found in London, where almost 9 in 10 (87%) people questioned claimed to exercise regularly.
This was contrasted with just over three-quarters (77%) of people in Scotland, who had the lowest level of participation in exercise across the country.
The most common reasons for people entering a fitness event in the UK
A 2025 UK Fitness Report by PureGym found that almost a quarter of people surveyed took part in fitness events because they wanted a new challenge (24%) or something to keep them motivated (23%).
One in five people (20%) claim that their motivation for doing fitness and exercise was driven mainly by a friend, family member, or their partner.
Statistics on the health benefits of exercise
Physical exercise can have significant benefits on people’s mental and physical health, particularly when it comes to preventing and managing over 20 chronic conditions, including some cancers, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression.
The main health benefits of physical activity
According to the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, around a third (34%) of men and two-fifths (42%) of women are not active enough for good health. However, one in four (25%) claim they would be more active if advised by a healthcare professional.
The UK’s Chief Medical Officer Guidelines recommend that adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderately intense activity, 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or a mixture of both each week. Their findings suggest that overall mortality rates could decrease by just less than a third (30%) if people chose to follow these guidelines and become more physically active.
At the higher end of the scale, individuals who exercise more regularly can reduce their risk of hip fractures by more than two-thirds (68%).
Adopting a physically active lifestyle could also reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by up to two-fifths (40%) and cardiovascular disease by more than a third (35%).
“Regular physical activity is one of the most powerful tools we have for protecting our long-term health. When we exercise, our bodies become more efficient at regulating blood sugar, reducing inflammation, and maintaining healthy blood pressure. This is why we see such a significant reduction in the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
“The good news is that getting more active doesn't have to be complicated. The best exercise routine is simply the one you'll stick to, and that's different for everyone. A daily walk counts just as much as a gym session. Start small, as even 10 minutes a day is a great place to begin. From there, you can gradually build up towards the recommended 150 minutes a week. Little by little, it all adds up.”
Ayesha Bashir, Prescribing Pharmacist
Exercise and mental health statistics
PureGym’s 2025 UK Fitness Report found that almost half (49%) of people exercise to improve their overall health, with just over a third (34%) doing so to try to improve their mental health.
The most common benefits of regular exercise
When asked about the main benefits of regular exercise, three in 10 (30%) reported having more energy, followed by 28% who felt happier.
Just under a quarter (24%) believed their mood had improved since participating in regular fitness, with a similar proportion (23%) reporting weight loss as a result of exercise.
Did you know?
According to our latest weight loss statistics report, just under half (46%) of people planned to lose weight in 2025 by exercising more.
Exercise and physical health statistics
Looking at people with existing health conditions, just over 77% take part in some form of moderate or vigorous physical activity each week. This also means that around 23% of people with a health condition do not engage in regular physical exercise.
The Percentage of people taking part in moderate or vigorous exercise per week by health condition
Ukactive’s 2025 Health and Fitness Market Report found that up to a third of people with diabetes and kidney health problems (32%) and/or cardiovascular disease (33%) were not engaging in any moderate or vigorous exercise each week.
Public perceptions of exercise and fitness in the UK
When it comes to how people feel about their general health,
- Just over a fifth (22%) don’t consider themselves to be healthy at all. This figure rises to more than a quarter (27%) of 45-54 year olds and 25% for those aged 35 to 44.
- Women are more likely to see themselves as unhealthy than men (24% vs. 20%).
- Around three-quarters (76%) of those surveyed aspire to be fit and healthy, with almost two-thirds (65%) feeling like they don’t look after their health as much as they should.
- More than one in three people (34%) want to improve their mental health and cardiovascular fitness, with a similar percentage (33%) aspiring to get stronger as a result of fitness and exercise.
Given that more than half (51%) of respondents were concerned about their mental health, it’s no surprise that a significant proportion are keen to use exercise and fitness activities as a way to solve this issue.
Maintenance is an important part of successful weight loss. This involves learning how to lose your desired weight and then how to keep it off. Our guide on how to stay motivated during your weight loss journey offers practical tips and advice on achieving this, from home workouts and gym sessions to meal prepping and setting realistic goals.
Fitness and technology statistics
According to an analysis of fitness statistics from PureGym:
- Two-thirds (66%) of people surveyed have used a smart device to monitor their personal health data. Around two-fifths (42%) claim to do this daily or most of the time.
- Almost one in five (19%) admit to feeling guilty if they don't meet a goal set on their device, with roughly one in eight (12%) expressing anxiety about the data provided on these devices.
Nearly two-fifths (37%) of women track their menstrual cycle using electronic devices and technology, with more than two-thirds (68%) of app users syncing their workouts to match their cycle.
Previous research by PureGym has highlighted that the number of women syncing their fitness workouts with their menstrual cycle has increased by 14% since 2022.
It’s thought that half (50%) of the UK population now uses YouTube for fitness advice and inspiration.
More than three-quarters (77%) of 18- to 24-year-olds use TikTok as a source of information, representing a 6% increase over the past 12 months.
Fitness statistics
Cardio fitness levels by age
According to exercise statistics from Firstbeat Technologies Oy, the average cardio fitness score for men naturally declines with age.
In other words, what counts as an ‘excellent’ VO2 max for a 20–24 year-old (>62 VO₂ max) is much higher than the threshold for someone aged 60–65 (>40 VO₂ max).
Male cardio fitness scores by age (VO2Max ratings)
| Fitness classification | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-65 |
| Excellent | >62 | >59 | >56 | >54 | >51 | >48 | >46 | >43 | >40 |
| Very good | 57-62 | 54-59 | 52-56 | 49-54 | 47-51 | 44-48 | 42-46 | 40-43 | 37-40 |
| Good | 51-56 | 49-53 | 46-51 | 44-48 | 42-46 | 40-43 | 37-41 | 35-39 | 33-36 |
| Average | 44-50 | 43-48 | 41-45 | 39-43 | 36-41 | 35-39 | 33-36 | 31-34 | 29-32 |
| Fair | 38-43 | 36-42 | 35-40 | 33-38 | 32-35 | 30-34 | 28-32 | 27-30 | 25-28 |
| Poor | 32-37 | 31-35 | 29-34 | 28-32 | 26-31 | 25-29 | 24-27 | 22-26 | 21-24 |
| Very poor | <32 | <31 | <29 | <28 | <26 | <25 | <24 | <22 | <21 |
(Source: Firstbeat Technologies Oy)
VO2Max is a number that outlines your cardiorespiratory fitness levels.
A higher VO₂ max is generally better because it means your body is more efficient at taking in oxygen and delivering it to your muscles. This helps your body turn nutrients into energy, which your muscles use to work properly.
For men, an “excellent” fitness level usually means having a VO₂ max that is roughly twice as high as someone rated “very poor”, whatever their age group.
For example, among 20 to 24-year-olds, an excellent score would be above 62, compared with below 32 for very poor. In 60 to 65-year-olds, excellent would be above 40, compared with below 21 for very poor.
Female cardio fitness scores by age (VO2Max ratings)
| Fitness classification | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-65 |
| Excellent | >51 | >49 | >46 | >44 | >41 | >38 | >36 | >33 | >30 |
| Very good | 47-51 | 45-49 | 43-46 | 41-44 | 38-41 | 36-38 | 33-36 | 31-33 | 28-30 |
| Good | 42-46 | 41-44 | 38-42 | 36-40 | 34-37 | 32-35 | 30-32 | 28-30 | 25-27 |
| Average | 37-41 | 36-40 | 34-37 | 32-35 | 30-33 | 28-31 | 26-29 | 24-27 | 22-24 |
| Fair | 32-36 | 31-35 | 30-33 | 28-31 | 26-29 | 24-27 | 23-25 | 21-23 | 19-21 |
| Poor | 27-31 | 26-30 | 25-29 | 24-27 | 22-25 | 21-23 | 19-22 | 18-20 | 16-18 |
| Very poor | <27 | <26 | <25 | <24 | <22 | <21 | <19 | <18 | <16 |
(Source: Firstbeat Technologies Oy)
Like men, women’s average cardio fitness levels tend to decrease with age.
For example, what counts as “excellent” fitness for a woman aged 20 to 24, a VO₂ max above 51, is much higher than for someone aged 60 to 65, where excellent is above 30. The same pattern is seen at the lower end of the scale. A “very poor” score is below 27 for women aged 20 to 24, compared with below 16 for those aged 60 to 65.
Overall, women rated as having “very poor” fitness usually have a VO₂ max that is less than half that of someone rated “excellent”, regardless of age. For example, in 20 to 24-year-olds the comparison is below 27 versus above 51, and in 60 to 65-year-olds it is below 16 versus above 30.
“It's completely normal for cardio fitness levels to decline as we get older. As we age, our hearts become slightly less efficient, and we naturally lose some muscle mass, both of which affect how well our bodies use oxygen during exercise.
“Men tend to have higher VO2 max scores than women across all age groups, largely due to differences in heart size, lung capacity, and muscle mass. However, the pattern is the same for both: fitness levels gradually decrease over time.
“Trying to match the scores of someone younger or fitter than you is a recipe for overexertion and injury. Instead, focus on gradual, consistent progress. Even small improvements in your cardio fitness can have a big impact on your overall health.”
Ayesha Bashir, Prescribing Pharmacist
Athletic heart rate by age
According to the American Heart Association, the average heart rate during exercise decreases with age. The target heart rate zone (50% to 85%) is typically 100 to 170 bpm for people aged 20, dropping to 75 to 128 bpm for those aged 70. This represents a decrease of roughly 25%.
Maximum and target heart rate statistics by age
A similar trend is observed in people’s average age-predicted maximum heart rate. This ranges from 200 bpm for 20-year-olds down to 150 bpm for those aged 70, indicating a 25% decrease over 50 years.
Resting heart rate zones by age
When it comes to resting heart rate zones by age, we see a decrease as people get older. For example, those in the preterm stage have an average resting heart rate of 120 to 180 beats per minute (bpm), compared to 60 to 100 bpm for adolescents (aged 13 to 18 years old) and adults.
This highlights a decrease of 44% to 50% over someone’s life.
Normal heart rate statistics by age
Generally speaking, the range of resting heart rate readings decreases across age brackets as people get older. For example, those in the preterm, newborn, and infant stage typically have a difference of 60 bpm between their highest and lowest values.
This difference drops to 30 bpm for preschool children and school-age children.
Cardio recovery by age
As people get older, their maximum heart rate and target heart rate recovery tend to decrease.
Those aged 20 to 30 have an average maximum heart rate of 195 bpm, compared to 145 bpm for individuals aged 70 to 79 years. This represents a drop of more than a third (34.5%) over the course of someone’s life.
Maximum heart rate and heart rate recovery statistics by age
Similarly, a person’s target heart rate recovery drops from an average of 22 bpm in the 20- to 30-year-old age group to 14 bpm in the 70- to 79-year-old age group (a decrease of 36.4%).
UK sports facility statistics
The City of London tends to have the highest rate of sports facilities across the country, with an average of 111.85 per 10,000 people. This is followed by Strand, St James & Mayfair with 98.62 per 10,000 people (a difference of 12.6%).
Areas with the highest and lowest rates of sports facilities per population
Seven of the ten areas with the highest number of sports facilities per population are located in the south of England, with the top two (the City of London and Strand, St James & Mayfair) both in the capital.
Areas of England with the highest rate of sports facilities per population
| Middle Super Output Area (MSOA) | Average no. of facilities (per 10,000 people) |
| City of London | 111.85 |
| Strand, St James & Mayfair | 98.62 |
| Westwood, Northwood & Bromstone | 90.47 |
| Sedbergh & Kirkby Lonsdale | 90.06 |
| Newtown | 86.71 |
| Chalfont St Peter West | 85.93 |
| Farnham Weybourne & Badshot Lea | 83.37 |
| Scunthorpe Central Park | 82.87 |
| Buckley Wells & Fishpool | 79.70 |
| Leatherhead South & Ashtead South | 78.27 |
(Source: ONS)
Conversely, Snaresbrook has the lowest rate of sports facilities per population in the country. At 0.81 per 10,000 inhabitants, it is followed closely by Paston in Peterborough and Maida Hill in the City of Westminster, which both have 0.82 facilities per 10,000 people.
Areas of England with the lowest rate of sports facilities per population
| Middle Super Output Area (MSOA) | Average no. of facilities (per 10,000 people) |
| Snaresbrook | 0.81 |
| Paston | 0.82 |
| Maida Hill | 0.82 |
| Becontree North | 0.83 |
| Upper Edmonton East & Meridian Water | 0.85 |
| Bury Park | 0.87 |
| Edgware East | 0.89 |
| West Ealing | 0.89 |
| University Hospital & Queen's Road | 0.92 |
| Poplar Leaside | 0.92 |
(Source: ONS)
Most of the 10 areas with the lowest number of sports facilities per person are in the south of England. The furthest north on the list is Paston in Peterborough, followed by Bury Park in Luton.
Eight of the 10 areas with the fewest sports facilities per 10,000 people are in London. This shows that access to sports facilities is uneven across the capital.
Note: 188 local authorities had no sports facilities per 10,000 people. These areas were removed from the dataset, so the graphic only shows places where the number is above zero.
UK gym statistics
The UK gym industry
The UK gym industry was valued at £6.5 billion in 2025. This represents a year-on-year rise from 2022, when the respective figure stood at £4.8 billion, and shows an increase in its market value of more than a third (35.4%) over the past three years.
UK gym industry statistics over time (2019 to 2025)
| 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Gyms | 7,239 | 7,063 | 6,998 | 7,009 | 7,202 |
| Members | 10.4mn | 9.9mn | 10.3mn | 10.7mn | 11.3mn |
| Market value | £5.1bn | £4.8bn | £5.4bn | £5.9bn | £6.5bn |
| Penetration rate | 15.6% | 14.6% | 15.1% | 15.9% | 16.6% |
(Source: Leisure DB)
According to the latest UK gym statistics:
- The number of gyms in the UK fluctuated between 2019 and 2025, reaching a low of 6,998 in 2023 and peaking at 7,202 in 2025. This represents a 2.9% increase over two years.
- The number of UK gym members also dropped in 2022, to 9.9 million, before rising year-on-year to 2025, when the figure stood at 11.3 million. This represented a 14.1% increase over a three-year period.
- The UK gym penetration rate, which refers to the share of the population with an active gym membership, stood at 16.6% in 2025, up from 14.6% in 2022.
Note: Figures for 2020 and 2021 were unavailable due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which many public facilities, such as gyms and other sporting venues, were closed.
UK gym membership statistics
According to the most recent gym stats, there were 616 million visits to UK gyms in 2024. This represented an 8.2% increase from 2023, when the figure stood at 569 million.
One of the biggest motivating factors for people joining a gym is to improve and/or maintain their physical strength and fitness, as reported by more than four-fifths (83%) of gym-goers.
The most common motivating factors for joining a gym
According to stats from ukactive, more than three-quarters (76%) of those questioned use the gym to improve their mental health and wellbeing, with a similar percentage wanting to boost their overall confidence and physical appearance (both 75%).
The most common barriers to taking out a gym membership
The cost of gym membership is the biggest barrier to people joining a gym in the UK, reported by more than two-thirds (68%) of those surveyed by ukactive.
Just under half said they didn’t need to join a gym or leisure facility (49%), had no interest in the activities available (48%), or felt uncomfortable about the idea of joining (47%).
At the lower end of the scale, around a sixth (16%) said they didn’t know where their local gym or leisure facility was, while 17% said they feared for their safety in the gym due to sexual harassment or intimidation.
The most important criteria when it comes to selecting a gym or leisure facility
When selecting a gym or leisure facility, a quarter (25%) of people say location is the most important factor, followed by cost (23%).
Around one in seven (13%) make a decision based on the quality of facilities, with one in 10 (10%) considering whether the gym/facility has a pool.
Gym membership statistics by age group
Just under half of those aged 16 to 24 (47%) and 25 to 34 (48%) are currently gym members, making them the best represented age groups in the UK’s gym population.
As people age, the proportion of gym members tends to decrease.
As of 2025, less than one in 10 (9%) of those aged 65 to 74 or 75 and above had a gym membership, a figure that rose to almost three-fifths (57% vs. 59%, respectively) who had never been a gym member.
This was contrasted by less than one in five (17%) of those aged 25 to 34.
UK health and fitness industry statistics
UK fitness industry growth statistics
Recent health and fitness industry statistics show that the total income generated by the UK’s fitness industry in 2024 was almost £5.69 billion (an increase of 8.8% from 2023, when the respective figure stood at approximately £5.22 billion).
During this period, the number of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) involving UK fitness facilities increased from four to 7, indicating significant industry growth.
UK fitness industry growth over time (2022 to 2024)
Almost half (49%) of the UK’s fitness industry revenue in 2024 came from private sources, followed by just over a third (34.2%) from public revenue.
Findings from the 2025 Health and Fitness Market Report also show that roughly 11.5 million people had a health and fitness membership in 2024 (a rise of 16.2% in two years).
UK gym membership growth statistics over time (Q1 2022 to Q4 2024)
The latest fitness industry growth statistics show that the number of gym memberships fluctuates throughout the year.
Figures from 2022 to 2024 show that the number of gym members tends to increase in Q1 and either stagnate or decrease throughout the remaining quarters of the year.
For example, gym membership figures stood at 10 million in Q1 2022 before dipping to between 9.8 and 9.9 million in Q2 to Q4.
That said, Q3 2023 and Q4 2024 both saw increases to 11 million and 11.6 million UK gym members, respectively (the highest recorded figures for those quarters).
UK online fitness industry statistics
According to the latest online fitness industry statistics, just under a fifth (19%) of people who exercise at least twice a week use home activities, fitness classes, or online exercise programs.
Just under half (46%) of those who exercise at home using online content are also members of a gym or leisure facility.
Percentage of people who exercise at least once a week at home with online content
This also shows that as people get older, the proportion who exercise at least once a week at home using online content decreases.
For example, more than two fifths of those aged 16 to 24 (44%) and 25 to 34 (43%) exercise at home with online content at least once a week. This drops to less than a fifth among people aged 55 to 64 (19%) and those aged 75 and over (17%).
The cost of exercise in the UK
Key findings from the 2025 UK Fitness Report show that:
- The average UK gym membership now costs £88 per month.
- Almost a quarter of people (24%) have increased their spending on fitness between 2024 and 2025. Just under one in four (23%) say they are spending more on fitness clothing than they were 12 months ago, while just over two-fifths (44%) say their overall exercise spending has decreased because they can no longer afford it.
- Just over half (54%) of those aged 35 to 44 feel they can no longer sustain their fitness-related spending in 2025, which is the highest proportion of any age group.
The main reasons why people spend more money on fitness
| Reason | Percentage of respondents (%) |
| Invested more in fitness clothing | 23 |
| Invested more in home workout equipment | 21 |
| Fitness/exercise has become a passion in the past year | 20 |
| Started a new fitness-focused subscription | 20 |
| Joined a gym | 20 |
(Source: PureGym)
Note: Total figures may not equal 100% due to rounding
Almost a quarter (23%) of those surveyed by PureGym claim to have invested more in fitness clothing over the past year, making it the main reason they now spend more on fitness than they did previously.
This was followed by just over one in five (21%) who admit to spending more on home workout equipment than they did in the past.
The main reasons why people spend less money on fitness
More than two fifths (44%) of those surveyed said they are spending less on fitness in 2025 than in previous years because they can no longer afford it.
This was followed by just over a fifth (21%) who said they would rather spend this money on something else, and around one in seven (13%) who felt they were not making enough use of what they already spend on exercise each year.
“You don't need to spend a lot to stay fit and healthy. In fact, the UK Chief Medical Officer recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, and there are plenty of free ways to reach that target. Walking, running, cycling, and bodyweight exercises at home all count towards your weekly goal.
“If you do want to spend money on fitness, focus on what you'll actually use. A gym membership you rarely use is money wasted, whereas a good pair of trainers or a skipping rope could last you years. Staying active doesn't have to be expensive. Consistency matters far more than cost.”
Ayesha Bashir, Prescribing Pharmacist
Fitness FAQs
How much exercise should I do per week?
NHS guidelines recommend that adults aged 19 to 64 should do at least:
- Two days a week of strengthening activities that work all your major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).
- 150 minutes of moderately intense activity (or 75 minutes of vigorous activity) per week.
They also suggest spreading this exercise evenly over four to five days a week to allow for recovery time, or do slightly less across all seven days of the week.
How much physical activity do adults need?
The amount of physical activity required by adults can vary from person to person and depends on several factors, including age, gender, level of exercise experience, and any underlying health conditions.
Generally, older adults should engage in some form of physical activity daily.
This may include 150 minutes (or 2.5 hours) of moderate-intensity activity, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity for those who are more physically able, or a combination of the two.
It’s also recommended to engage in activities that help maintain muscle strength, balance, and flexibility at least twice a week, and to minimise the time spent being sedentary.
How much exercise is too much for a woman?
The amount of exercise that becomes “too much” varies from woman to woman. Some can comfortably manage two-hour training sessions several times a week, while others may find even one session challenging.
A sensible starting point is the NHS guideline of 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. From there, you can see how your body responds and adjust the amount, intensity, and type of exercise as your fitness improves.
You should also make sure to include enough recovery time in your weekly routine. Aim for at least 1 to 2 rest days to let your body recover, build muscle, and prepare for your next session.
How much exercise is needed to prevent diabetes?
Our latest diabetes statistics report suggests that around 2.5 hours a week of moderate aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 50%. This equates to roughly 30 minutes per day across five days.
For children and adolescents, this figure should be about 60 minutes per day.
What percentage of people go to the gym?
As of 2025, 16.6% of the UK population had an active gym membership.
How many people go to the gym?
According to the latest UK gym membership statistics, there were 11.3 million gym members in 2025.
How many personal trainers are there in the UK?
According to IBISWorld, there were 25,182 people employed in the UK personal training industry as of 2024-25.
How many gyms are there in the UK?
According to the latest gym statistics, there were 7,202 gyms in the UK as of 2025.
How many push-ups should I be able to do?
The number of push-ups you should be able to do depends on many factors, including your gender, age, body weight, and existing strength levels.
For example, a man who weighs 110kg and is just starting out might not even be able to do one push-up. However, someone of the same weight but who has reached an elite level is likely capable of doing 109.
Similarly, a 25- to 40-year-old man at the novice level of push-ups might be able to do 18, which is less than half the number of someone at the intermediate level (41).
On average, women can do fewer push-ups than men. An elite woman weighing 110kg should be able to do around 57 push-ups (about half as many as her male counterparts of the same body weight).
How many push-ups can the average man do?
The number of push-ups that the average man can do varies from:
- One for beginner level
- 18 for novice
- 41 for intermediate
- 68 for advanced
- 99 for elite
How many push-ups can the average woman do?
The number of push-ups that the average woman can do varies from:
- Less than one for beginners
- Five for novices
- 19 for intermediate
- 37 for advanced
- 56 for elite
Sources
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/physical-activity-applying-all-our-health/physical-activity-applying-all-our-health
- https://www.ukactive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/UK-Health-and-Fitness-Market-Report-2025.pdf
- https://sportengland-production-files.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2025-04/ActiveLivesAdult-Nov23-24_V9-23-04-25-10-03-03-02.pdf?VersionId=aZVjaW4MK37mqMAWm_Th9un7WRjSeF7u
- https://www.puregym.com/blog/uk-fitness-report-gym-statistics/
- https://www.firstbeat.com/en/blog/whats-a-good-vo2max-for-me-fitness-age-men-and-women/
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/target-heart-rates
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK593193/table/ch1survey.T.normal_heart_rate_by_age/
- https://www.healthcentral.com/fitness-and-exercise/how-to-calculate-heart-rate-recovery-after-exercise
- https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/
- https://www.leisuredb.com/publications
- https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-for-adults-aged-19-to-64/
- https://www.puregym.com/blog/how-much-exercise/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2992225/
- https://www.ibisworld.com/united-kingdom/industry/personal-trainers/6042/
- https://strengthlevel.com/strength-standards/push-ups/lb
