Analysis, opinion and briefings from the Evolve team.
Short, sharp and serious. Independent commentary on the operators, capital and consumer behaviour shaping the sector.
What Pinot Noir (and Jarvis) Taught Us About the Future of Health
From life-saving medical detection to the social power of "Doga," the bond between humans and hounds is evolving. As the fitness industry embraces canine-inclusive classes like K9 Circuits to build community capital, we uncover the growing scientific evidence that dogs are vital partners in our physical and mental health.
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Tracking the Market
Leisure DB hosted its Q4 2025 Monthly Market Tracker Review in January, offering attendees an exclusive look at the key trends and shifts in the sector during Q4 2025. WellNation attended the call to pick up on the latest insight and data.
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1980-2026: A Short History of Constant Development and Learning
In 1980 The Leisure Database Company was registered, providing on-air community programmes and off-air backup telephone and mail services. Our first client was Capital Radio, Kidsline service, then London Weekend Television.
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From Anxiety to Aspiration
David Minton has embarked on a journey to optimum health, highlighting the potential for self-care and personal responsibility. A personal investment in health saves the government time and money — here's his journey from anxiety to aspiration so far.
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A Second Renaissance
The Renaissance began in Florence in the 15th century and quickly spread across Europe, marking the transition between the middle ages and modernity. A period of great social change driven by power and increased awareness of nature and humanistic learning.
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From Ancient Athens to AI: The 2,000-Year Journey of Social Segmentation in Fitness
Social segmentation began in ancient Athens. At Leisure DB, we blend geodemographics and fitness data to decode behaviour, track demand, and reveal who goes where—and why.
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Press Release: State of the UK Swimming Industry Report 2025
UK's pool stock continues to shrink, but less dramatically than last year; Leisure DB releases its State of the UK Swimming Industry Report 2025.
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2024 Q4: UK Fitness Industry — Key Developments & Insights
The UK fitness market experienced major changes in Q4 2024 across both the private and public sectors. From new openings and expansions to rebrands and closures, the industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace.
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How to Find the Best Location for a New Gym
Choosing the best location for a gym is an important decision. With the right know-how and support, you'll be certain of selecting the best possible location when opening a gym.
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Fitness Sector Suppliers, Do You Want to Better Target Your New Business Efforts?
Accurate data. Whatever your industry, it's the key to targeting new business opportunities — and for suppliers to the health and fitness industry, there's great news from Leisure DB.
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Accurately Predicting Potential
What does it take to come up with an accurate latent demand figure for your fitness facility, whether planned or existing? Leisure DB's Natalie Gibson shares her expert insight.
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Who and Where Are Your Members, Really?
Do you truly understand which types of consumer your fitness facility appeals to, and how well you've penetrated the relevant audiences in a realistic catchment area? Step forward Leisure DB's member analysis reports.
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Innovation & Insight at the London Aquatics Centre
FreeFlow, held at London Aquatics Centre, provided a platform to explore the future of swimming and aquatics within the fitness and leisure sector. Co-hosted by Leisure DB, Hutchi, and Everyone Active.
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Number of Pools is Falling
Leisure DB's State of the UK Swimming Industry Report 2024 shows that demand for swimming remains high, but there are fewer pools to meet that demand — the UK's pool stock continues to shrink.
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State of the Nation
Leisure DB's State of the UK Fitness Industry Report 2024 shows that the UK health and fitness industry is performing strongly in the aftermath of the pandemic.
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Doing Our Bit — Health & Wellbeing for Those That Champion Ours
We are pleased to share the progress we have made since the relaunch of DoingOurBit last month to the NHS and Social Care providers, engaging with over 30 NHS Trusts so far.
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Take a Deep Dive
The State of the UK Swimming Industry Report 2023 isn't just about data, says Leisure DB founder David Minton. It's rich with interviews and insight.
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Listen Up
The language we speak influences the way we think — and the way people think about us. David Minton offers his thoughts on how our sector must reinvent its language to better engage with consumers and government.
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Calculating Latent Demand
Behind every one of our latent demand calculations sits comparable data on 7,000 UK fitness sites, profiles of millions of members, 450+ Mosaic data variables and 20+ years of experience.
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The Shape of Now
More members and record market value, Leisure DB's David Minton discusses this year's State of the UK Fitness Industry Report. The UK has slightly fewer gyms in 2023 than 2022, but member numbers are up 3.9%.
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Time to Evolve
Through the EVOLVE movement, Leisure DB aims to catalyse conversation, collaboration and change across the UK's physical activity sector. COO Heidi Blackburn speaks to Kate Cracknell.
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Leisure DB Joins Forces with 'Doing Our Bit' as a Support Partner
We are super proud to announce that we have become a supporting partner of 'Doing Our Bit' — the fantastic preventative health movement offering NHS and Social Care staff free, on-demand fitness & wellness sessions.
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Escape Your Limits Podcast — Health is the New Wealth
The Escape Your Limits podcast invited David Minton, Founder of Leisure DB, to offer key market intelligence and analysis across the fitness industry.
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State of the UK Fitness Industry Report 2023 Released
Number of gyms is down, members and revenues are up; Leisure DB releases the State of the UK Fitness Industry Report 2023. The UK has fewer gyms in 2023 than in 2022, but member numbers are up and market value has reached an all-time high.
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The Future of Fitness Products is Gender-Neutral
In light of more people being authentic about their gender identity, how should the health and fitness sector respond? Reports by David Minton, Founder of Leisure DB.
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5 Reasons to Work with Leisure DB
From the power of data to making data-driven decisions — five reasons why fitness business owners can save time and money with informed decisions and stay ahead in the competitive fitness landscape.
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Everyone's Talking About It: Tackling 2023 — HCM-1 2023
David Minton shares his thoughts on how to tackle 2023 — two opportunities which excite him, could transform the sector and help it double in size.
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Letter to America — Health Club Magazine Issue 8 2022
In my lifetime, America has had a number of 'health of the nation' scares. The combination of the physical and mental impact of being overweight can be seen on sidewalks in every town and city across America.
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Never Too Late — Health Club Magazine Issue 9 2021
In 2019 there were over 14.3 million Baby Boomers in the UK, making it the largest generational group. Boomers don't want to get old. I'm a boomer, I should know.
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Rethink & Reset — Health Club Magazine Issue 5
Trend data from the Leisure Database shows the industry to have been recession-proof during 1980/81, 1990/91 and the crash of 2008/09. However, the first global pandemic in our lifetime has dwarfed any recession.
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