Business Ratio has revealed the most profitable companies in the fitness industry.

The Fitness and Leisure Industry report examined the financial performance of 68 leading companies and produced a ranking table in terms of pre-tax profit margins for the financial year 2001/2. All companies featured have a minimum turnover of £1m.

The average pre-tax profit margin for the sector was 14.7 per cent. Leisure Connection has a pre tax profit margin of 31.6 per cent, Pacific Health & Fitness (27.6 per cent), Warwickshire Racquets & Heath Club (27.5 per cent), David Lloyd Leisure (21.9 per cent), Bannatyne Fitness (21.6 per cent), Fitness First Holdings (21.3 per cent).

In terms of sales turnover for the same period, Fitness First is top with £133.1m. Holmes Place is second with turnover of £122.1m, followed by Esporta (£100.2m), David Lloyd Leisure (£95.6m), Cannons (£87.6m), Fitness Holdings Europe (£79.8m) and Leisure Connection (£46.1)m.

The pre-tax profit margins for the top few in turnover show Fitness First on 13.6 per cent, Holmes Place (15.4 per cent), Esporta (-7.3 per cent), David Lloyd Leisure (21.9 per cent), Cannons (-57.2 per cent), Fitness Holdings (-40.4 per cent), Leisure Connection (31.6 per cent).

The report claims the industry enjoyed compound sales growth of 41 per cent in 2002 and 58 per cent for the three years to 2002 Details: +44 (0)20 8481 8720