PureGym targets 750 new sites

A Leeds-headquartered gym operator is accelerating its global expansion plans, with more than 750 new sites in its sights over the coming years.

PureGym said it remains on track to open around 60 gyms worldwide in 2026, having added 17 during the first six months of the year.

The group, which plans to step up openings during the second half, said there is a “significant runway” for further expansion across its existing markets.

Of the 17 gyms opened in the first half, 15 were in the UK.

PureGym now operates 728 gyms, including 467 in the UK, 128 in Denmark, 49 in Switzerland and 61 in the US, alongside franchise agreements in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The company is also expanding dedicated women’s workout spaces across its UK estate, adding the areas to another 20 gyms in the six months to the end of June and taking the total to 73.

PureGym began introducing the spaces over the past couple of years but accelerated the rollout during the first half following a “positive reception to these dedicated training spaces designed to boost female members’ comfort and confidence”.

The expansion comes as the business reported a 23% rise in underlying earnings to £123.6 million for the six months to June 30.

Revenue increased 6% to £393 million, while membership grew 3% year-on-year to 2.44 million.

On a statutory basis, PureGym remained loss-making, although losses narrowed to £20.7 million from £47.9 million a year earlier.

PureGym’s recently-appointed chief executive Alex Wood said: “The long-term fundamentals of our sector remain extremely attractive.

“Consumers are placing ever greater importance on their health and wellbeing, while the increasing availability of convenient and affordable gyms is bringing more people into fitness.”

He added: “Looking ahead, we remain on track to open approximately 60 high-quality new gyms across the group in 2026.

“Beyond 2026, we see substantial whitespace across our existing markets and the Republic of Ireland, and believe there are more than 750 high-quality sites we can open over the coming years.”

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