New report reveals the hidden financial impact of poor equipment servicing

PSLT Fitness Solutions, in partnership with EVOLVE, has released a new industry report exploring the often-overlooked financial and operational consequences of poor equipment servicing within the UK fitness industry.

Titled The Hidden Cost of Poor Equipment Servicing in the UK Fitness Industry, the report examines how reactive maintenance strategies are contributing to increased operating costs, accelerated asset depreciation, member dissatisfaction and avoidable revenue loss across fitness facilities nationwide.

The release comes at a time when the UK fitness sector continues to experience significant growth. According to the UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026, the industry now serves more than 12.2 million members, achieves 18% market penetration and generates over £6.5 billion in annual value. Yet despite this growth, many operators continue to underestimate the commercial impact of equipment reliability.

The report reveals that reactive servicing can cost operators between 25–30% more per machine annually compared to structured preventative maintenance programmes. It also highlights the direct relationship between equipment condition, member experience and retention, citing research showing that 79% of members say equipment condition influences their decision to renew membership.

Stuart Marin, Commercial Director of PSLT Fitness Solutions, said: "Too often, servicing is viewed as a maintenance issue when in reality it is a business performance issue. Every piece of equipment that is out of service impacts member experience, brand perception and ultimately revenue. This report demonstrates that preventative maintenance is not simply a cost of operation – it is a strategic investment that protects assets, members and profitability."

Key findings include:

• Reactive servicing can increase maintenance costs by up to 30%.
• A typical gym with 80 pieces of equipment can incur annual reactive repair costs exceeding £6,000 before accounting for downtime or member impact.
• A facility generating £720,000 annual revenue could lose between £21,600 and £36,000 each year through maintenance-related attrition.
• Equipment downtime remains one of the most visible indicators of operational standards for members and prospective customers.
• Preventative maintenance extends equipment lifespan, improves uptime and reduces long-term capital expenditure requirements.

The report also features industry insight from Heidi Blackburn, COO of EVOLVE (formerly Leisure DB). She commented: "Members rarely separate equipment standards from their perception of the overall brand experience. When equipment is repeatedly out of order or poorly maintained, it directly influences how members feel about the environment they are paying for. Protecting equipment through structured servicing and lifecycle management is critical for retention, reputation and long-term success."

The report concludes that equipment servicing should no longer be viewed as a reactive operational necessity, but as a core business function that supports member retention, brand strength, operational efficiency and asset longevity.

The full report is available to download from PSLT.