Puregym to double new gym openings in second half of year
Puregym is set to bulk up its gym network in the second half of 2026 after seeing a boost to revenue in the first six months of the year.
The Leeds-based group opened 17 sites in the first half of the year, but said on Thursday it remains on track to reach 60 new high-quality site openings globally for the full year.
It comes as revenue jumped six per cent in the first half to £393m, whilst pre-tax earnings soared 18 per cent to £193m. This coincided with a turnaround in the US following its rebrand and integration of Blink Fitness Chain. Profit in the region surged 35 per cent, topping £8.8m.
The group’s total member count grew three per cent to 2,442,000. The half-year update marked the first to be delivered by new chief executive Alex Wood in his role as chief executive.
Wood, who previously served as the group’s finance chief, replaced Clive Chesser who joined Puregym in November 2024 during the negotiations for Blink Fitness.
The new boss said he had identified a “whitespace” target across the firm’s existing markets and the Republic of Ireland where another 750 sites could be opened over the coming years. The firm expects to enter the Irish market, starting in Dublin, from early 2027.
Changing consumer behaviour a tailwind for Puregym
“Our structurally low-cost, technology-enabled operating model allows us to maintain strong margins and returns, offer outstanding affordable fitness to members and continue to invest in our estate and expand,” Wood said.
He added the long-term prospects of the sector remained “extremely attractive” as more consumers placed “ever greater importance on their health and wellbeing”.
“Gym membership penetration continues to rise across our markets and the value segment is taking an increasing share of that growth.”
Earlier this year, Will Orr, chief executive of the only London-listed gym provider the Gym Group, told Morning Wire his gyms have seen a surge in young members who are exercising more and drinking less.
Orr said that, while a recent focus on the mental health benefits of working out is evident in the gym’s popularity among young Brits, Gen-Z members are more determined than ever to “look and feel strong”.
Puregym was founded in 2009 by Peter Roberts and is backed by Leonard Green & Partners as well as KKR.