As the New Year fitness drive continues apace, ukactive CEO Huw Edwards looks at the opportunities in 2026 for the UK to capitalise on the growing demand and need for services and facilities supporting physical activity in every community. https://t.co/JJado70MZj

Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres are seeing growing demand not just in January but year-round. Our CEO, Huw Edwards, joined BBC Radio 5Live this morning to explain why.

In this blog, ukactive’s Strategic Partner, @ZoomMediaUK, shares how their new research has revealed the importance of retention for gyms and leisure facilities. Read here:

We're delighted to partner with PerformX Live, the Business of Fitness show, which will return in 2026 with its most significant move yet: the entire event is now completely free to attend. Find out more about Perform X Live here: https://t.co/oAU0CnmhrA

Following the launch of ukactive’s CYP guidance, in this blog from the children insight agency, Beano Brain, the organisation’s Quantitative Insight Director shares their data on Gen Alpha’s growing interest in health and fitness. Read here:

Our recent report into the impact of GLP-1 and an upcoming strength report in January demonstrate the importance of our facilities in the prevention agenda, particularly around falls prevention. 5/5

There are already areas where our sector and the local NHS work closely together, and the new neighbourhood health centres are an opportunity to increase this collaboration. 4/5

Alongside recognising the sector’s role in providing bespoke support, the wider operating environment for our facilities must be properly considered to allow supply to keep pace with the demand for our facilities – including campaigns and tax and regulatory reform. 3/5

The Government has yet to realise the potential of the sector to support healthy ageing and prevention, as evidenced by the lack of focus on physical activity in the recently published 10 Year Health Plan and Men’s Health Strategy. 2/5

Today, ukactive CEO Huw Edwards spoke before members of the Health and Social Care Committee as part of their Healthy Ageing inquiry into the impact of physical activity on the health of older adults. 1/5

Read the report:

This weekend, ukactive launched a new report with Les Mills focused on weight-loss medications and the use of strength training to prevent muscle mass loss. The report has received strong national coverage in the likes of the Telegraph, Times, Daily Mail and Independent.

ukactive and @LesMills have released a report exploring the impact of weight loss medications, including the loss of muscle mass. It calls on the Government to work with industry to provide essential wraparound support for users https://t.co/majYrpBl8H

Following the release of Sport England’s Active Lives Survey for Children and Young People, 24/25, ukactive has issued a statement in response, calling for more to be done to boost young people’s activity levels. Read here: https://t.co/e1kEjBtcw9

ukactive will be hosting a special webinar for members tomorrow on Tuesday 2 December at 12PM to learn more about using the guidance – register here:

Following the launch of ukactive’s new CYP guidance, Oldham Active share how they are welcoming the next generation into their facilities, and why the guidance is such an important tool to allow them to continue creating safe spaces. Read here:

SAVE THE DATE! The ukactive Awards return on Thursday 8th October 2026 at the ICC Birmingham. More details about next year’s awards will be shared soon - stay tuned! #ukactiveAwards

ukactive welcomes the move to permanently lower the business rate multiplier, but the Budget still overlooks the vital role our sector plays in driving health and economic growth.  Read our full statement here:

In this blog, ukactive’s Senior Public Affairs and Policy Manager, Stephen McLoughlin, shares what the upcoming Budget could mean for the physical activity sector, and why it’s essential they don’t stop our growth. Read here:

Ahead of #Budget2025, ukactive has written to the Chancellor and opposition party leaders calling for the physical activity sector to be protected or risk worsening the nation’s health and the economy. Read more: