Personal Trainers in the UK - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: September 2023
SIC SP0.181Revenue
£705.1m
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£X.Xm
Employees
24,958
Businesses
24,686
Wages
£XXX.Xm
Personal Trainers in the UK industry analysis
Industry demand is largely dependent on discretionary income, meaning performance in recent years has been widely determined by economic conditions. Industry revenue is expected to decrease at a compound annual rate of 1.8% over the five years through 2023-24 to £705.1 million. Rising disposable income levels and increasing health consciousness led to consistent revenue growth over the three years through 2019-20. However, trends such as budget gyms and at-home fitness classes have risen as a result of falling consumer confidence, limiting demand for personal trainers. Regardless, low barriers to entry have meant the number of personal trainers has skyrocketed. Revenue is estimated to have declined by 23.8% in 2020-21 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a rebound in 2021-22 due to the easing of restrictions, revenue is anticipated to grow by 1.4% in 2023-24, remaining somewhat constrained by the rising cost of living.Industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.2% over the five years through 2028-29 to reach £825.2 million as concerns about health and appearance continue to rise. However, personal trainers are expected to face a number of challenges, as rises in the cost of living are likely to persist in the short term. Limitations on public space, competition from other fitness activities and the rising popularity of smartphone apps that replicate many of the industry's services are also likely to hinder demand. In order to remain relevant, personal trainers are likely to focus on the motivational aspects of training, developing more group-based activities and offering other services like dietary advice, clothing and equipment.
Trends and Insights
- The Personal Trainers industry faces mounting competition. Fitness instructors are grappling with challenges such as public space fees, a reduction in earnings due to competition, and the offerings of low-cost gyms and branded fitness classes, which are cheaper and sociable alternatives.
- Independent personal training offers greater earning potential. While employment in fitness centres provides a guaranteed income, independent trainers earn significantly more, leading many to choose this path despite market fluctuations.
- London tops UK for personal trainer salaries. High-income London clients mean personal trainers in the capital can charge premium rates, making the city a lucrative base in the fitness industry.
- Differentiation and capital intensity mark the personal training industry landscape. Given the high volume of trainers, standing out requires cultivating a unique niche, and while the use of pricey gym equipment bolsters service quality, it imposes additional financial burdens on trainers.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £705.1m in 2023.
Trends and Insights
The surge in home workouts seen during the COVID-19 outbreak dissipated pretty quickly
- Gyms and fitness centres were forced to remain closed for most of 2020-21 due to government restrictions created to curb the spread of COVID-19.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Personal trainers will bounce back, fighting fit
- Rising interest rates to tackle inflation will hamper economic growth in the short term and restrict discretionary spending.
Biggest companies in the Personal Trainers in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (£short_0)
2024 |
|---|
There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Personal Trainers in the UK industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Independent personal training and Personal training in gyms and fitness centres. Independent personal training is the largest segment of the Personal Trainers in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Independent personal training is a popular move for trainers to maximise their earnings
- Independent, self-employed personal trainers usually operate outside gyms and fitness centres, using public spaces. Many trainers will pay rent to use gyms or sports halls.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Sports Facilities in the UK
- Gyms & Fitness Centres in the UK
- Pilates & Yoga Studios in the UK
Complementors
- Sports Clubs in the UK
International industries
- Gym, Health & Fitness Clubs in the US
- Pilates & Yoga Studios in the US
- Personal Trainers in the US
- Indoor Climbing Walls in the US
- Gym, Health & Fitness Clubs in Canada
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Operators in this industry offer fitness training to individuals or small groups. They may also provide personalised fitness, health and dietary advice. Personal trainers are typically self-employed, but some work on contract with gyms and fitness studios.
What's included in this industry?
Independent personal trainingPersonal training in gyms and fitness centresCompanies
Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
ZUMBASPINNINGWEARABLE DEVICESIndustry Code
SIC 93.12 - Personal Trainers in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The Personal Trainers industry faces mounting competition. Fitness instructors are grappling with challenges such as public space fees, a reduction in earnings due to competi...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Independent personal training offers greater earning potential. While employment in fitness centres provides a guaranteed income, independent trainers earn significantly more...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
London tops UK for personal trainer salaries. High-income London clients mean personal trainers in the capital can charge premium rates, making the city a lucrative base in t...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Differentiation and capital intensity mark the personal training industry landscape. Given the high volume of trainers, standing out requires cultivating a unique niche, and ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
There are no Major Companies in the industry. Most personal trainers are self-employed or work for a gym. The Personal Trainers industry is highly fragmented because the vast...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
Detailed analysis
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Personal trainers must register with the Registry of Exercise Professionals and HMRC. It's a professional requirement for trainers to qualify and register with these bodies, ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Personal trainer profit remains low due to industry dynamics. With the dominance of owner-operators, rising cost-of-living, and business hit during the pandemic year, persona...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2021)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2021)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2021)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2021)
- Assets (2017-2021)
- Liabilities (2017-2021)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Personal Trainers in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Personal Trainers in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £705.1m in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Personal Trainers in the UK industry in 2023?
There are 24,686 businesses in the Personal Trainers in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.0 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Personal Trainers in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Personal Trainers in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 1.8 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Personal Trainers in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Personal Trainers in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What does the Personal Trainers in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Independent personal training and Personal training in gyms and fitness centres are part of the Personal Trainers in the UK industry.
How competitive is the Personal Trainers in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Personal Trainers in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
