Across Europe there are encouraging signs that governments are waking up to the value of exercise and the services the fitness sector provides.

UK Active said that engagement with MPs for this year’s National Fitness Day was higher than usual, with 54 MPs demonstrating public support for the campaign. UK Active coordinated 17 visits from MPs to members’ sites in their constituencies across the country.

“It was great to see our MPs getting behind National Fitness Day this year and especially those who visited their local gyms, pools and leisure centres on the day,” says Rob Gibson, UK Active's interim director of policy and communications.

“Our members do so much every day to improve lives in their communities by supporting people to be more active. This campaign helps the nation to celebrate physical activity and this year’s engagement with MPs helped fuel the conversation and recognition in government too.”

Culture Secretary, Stephanie Peacock, also blogged about the event in advance of the day, encouraging people to take part in local activities. She also posted about the positive benefits of sport for physical and mental health; social cohesion and connection.

“I was proud to speak in a debate on behalf of government earlier this month highlighting the positive impact that sport can have on diabetes,” she wrote.

“Sport and physical activity are central to preventative health and the biggest health gain comes from supporting those who are inactive, or less active, to move more. There is an evidenced direct correlation of increased activity levels in the areas of the country with the highest density of accessible facilities that are safe, inclusive and affordable.”

In Andalusia, Spain, from 1 January, taxpayers will benefit from a 15 per cent deduction in expenses related to sports practice or exercise, up to €100 per taxpayer per year.

“There is no doubt that physical exercise and sports are fundamental tools to maintain and improve both physical and mental health,” said the Minister of Economy, Finance and European Funds, Carolina España. “Moreover physical activity also has a positive impact on public health, especially in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as heart disease, cancer, type II diabetes, and mental illnesses.”

Deductible expenses will include memberships to gyms, sports centres, clubs, sports federations and other entities for the purpose of carrying out physical exercise or sports activities.

Meanwhile, in Norway, the government has pledged that exercise will become an integral part of treatment for people living with serious mental illness and substance abuse challenges across all health trusts. Guidelines for treating anxiety and depression with physical activity and structured exercise programmes will be systematically implemented in all municipalities.

Norwegian fitness sector organisation, Virke Aktiv Helse, celebrates this achievement, saying that it has worked to strengthen competence across the industry, positioning fitness centres as essential resources in mental health care and advanced the concept of exercise as medicine.