Fitness group raises the bar after record year

A health club operator has passed the £10 million earnings milestone after record membership helped drive annual income to £56.5 million.

Total Fitness, which operates 15 health clubs across the North of England and Wales, has reported unaudited earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of £10 million for the year to June 30, 2026, a 27 per cent increase on the previous year.

Total income climbed ten per cent to a record £56.5 million, while its EBITDA margin strengthened from 15 per cent to around 18 per cent.

The company ended the year with a record number of paying members, with income per member rising eight per cent despite membership prices increasing only in line with inflation.

Bosses say the improvement was supported by greater uptake of additional services, increased food and drink spending and members staying with the business for longer.

Growth at its two women-only The Women’s Gym clubs and The Swim Academy also contributed to the performance.

Its membership bolt-ons have also become an increasingly important part of its growth strategy, with Friend Pass the strongest performer during the year.

Customers with bolt-ons visit its clubs between ten and 43 per cent more frequently, depending on the additional services they use.

Tom Rayner, chief financial officer at Total Fitness, said: “This is an important milestone for Total Fitness and demonstrates the substantial progress we’ve made since 2018. 

“The improvement in income per member reflects the work we’ve put into improving our services in response to member feedback.

“Additions such as Friend Pass, alongside higher food and drink spend and members staying with us for longer, have supported this progress. 

“Combined with record membership and disciplined cost management, these figures give us confidence in the continued strength of the business and our ability to keep investing in our clubs.”

The results mark significant progress since Total Fitness’ current management team took charge in 2018, when EBITDA stood at approximately £1 million.

Its latest performance was delivered alongside continued investment in the business, including an eight per cent increase in staff spending.

Capital has also been directed towards growth projects at its Wrexham, Bolton and Altrincham clubs, further building works in Chester and the start of a treadmill renewal programme at Wilmslow.

The company has also continued researching changing consumer attitudes towards health and fitness.

Its latest The Great Reset? study found 32 per cent of new members said a friendly atmosphere influenced their choice of club, which bosses say reinforces the value of creating a more social fitness experience.

Sophie Lawler, chief executive at Total Fitness, added: “At Total Fitness we’ve always been proudly middle market. 

“Our persistent and significant growth for almost a whole decade now demonstrates the sustainability not just of our proposition and wider strategy, but also of the strength of the mid-market opportunity when you really lean into it.”

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