The fitness industry is making its way back to full health after the pandemic with a new record-breaking start for member sign-ups.

Impressively, Total Fitness Walkden, one of the business’ 15 sites in Northern England and Wales, exceeded its January performance targets by 39% to beat their previous record-breaking month.

January 2017 was previously the best performing month for the company, but 2022 has seen a significantly higher performance which strongly suggests that gyms have recovered after the pandemic forced closures last year.

Total Fitness best growth record

Since Total Fitness’ first post lockdown reopening in July 2020, 10 out of 14 trading months have also had their ‘best on record’ membership growth performance.

For Total Fitness, the demand for health and wellbeing has seen some clubs nearly double the number of new joiners compared with previous years, with a total of 51,727 new members since April last year. The average uplift in monthly joiners pre and post-pandemic is also performing strongly at 45% per month.

With a surge in new members motivated to get fit and healthy, the northern health club brand is confident that 2022 is the year that fitness is high on consumers’ priority list, with a renewed focus on health and wellbeing firmly back on the agenda.         

According to search data from fitness marketplace Hussle, customer demand for health clubs and gyms returned to normal in January of this year, however, due to renewed restrictions, consumers were reluctant to sign up for new memberships.

Hussle reported that peak demand for memberships could therefore extend beyond the traditional January period to February and March.

However, despite industry concerns around Plan B restrictions and working from home guidance delaying new member sign-ups, the beginning of 2022 proved to be an exceptionally strong start for Total Fitness, with their Walkden club exceeding their target numbers for new members.

The strong figures come as the fitness and health sector sees a confident revival as much of the UK gets its health and sporting goals back on track this year.

Additionally, many gym-goers are now keen to embrace a wide variety of exercises and are looking to health clubs for ways to embrace a healthier lifestyle and improve their mental health and wellbeing.

Increased demand for swimming facilities

A study from Total Fitness, it found that new joiners were keen to make use of swimming pool facilities, as well as high-quality fitness equipment and exciting classes to try out.

Demand for Total Fitness’ swimming facilities – which include 25m indoor pools as well as family and hydrotherapy pools, was revealed as the main attraction for new joiners.

Total Fitness health clubs offer members a variety of ways to work out and enjoy getting fitter and stronger, including a diverse choice of classes, expert personal trainers, large swimming pools as well as revitalising hydro-pools, and a wide range of targeted fitness equipment. The company has been offering full-service fitness to members in-person since 1993, with their online services launching in 2020.

Ceri Henderson, General Manager at Total Fitness Walkden, said:

“We understand every member’s journey is different. Whether that is making the decision to embrace a healthier lifestyle, trying out new classes or reaching a fitness milestone, every member of our team is here to support them.”