A new report, commissioned by EMD UK and funded by Sport England, highlights the immense social and economic impact of group exercise in the UK. The findings confirm its vital role in improving health, reducing NHS costs, and tackling inequalities.
Key Findings:
Generates £5.3 billion in social value annually.
Saves the NHS £511 million by preventing 26,000 cases of Type II diabetes.
Reduces pressure on the NHS, saving 1.6 million appointments each year.
Supports 60,000 instructors, strengthening community health.
Engages 10.6 million adults, making it more popular than cycling, swimming, or football.
Reaches all demographics, including women, older adults, and people with disabilities or long-term conditions.
A Diverse and Inclusive Industry
Group exercise spans high-energy workouts, holistic classes, and seated programs like Keep Fit Laban Dance and Sit & Stay Fit. This accessibility fosters social connection, physical health, and mental well-being across all ages and abilities.
Lynne Dowdican Chair of the Keep Fit Association says…
We have known for decades that by seamlessly amalgamating functional fitness advocated by Nora Reed and Eileen Fowler from the Keep Fit Association with the creativity of Laban Analysis of movement our products offer a holistic approach to group fitness. As the Keep Fit organisation we see fitness to be life-long. This can be readily confirmed by the fact that many members have been attending classes for 40 years or more underscoring the enduring impact of group exercise.
We are a fundamental part of building healthier, happier communities. This report provides the hard evidence to back up what we already knew: that group exercise is a vital component of our nation’s health and should be recognised as such in future investment and policy decisions.
See the report here Study Concludes: Group Exercise is a £5.3bn Social Value Powerhouse – EMD UK