Ingesport – which operates the GO fit chain in Spain and Portugal – reports that it generated €300m in social value from its Spanish operations during 2019.

The figure has been calculated through an evaluation of the yearly benefit to GO fit members of exercising regularly. This includes Ingesport members who exercise in its facilities and beyond, generating direct health savings of €23m per year, in the treatment of non-communicable diseases.

Publishing its bi-annual audit of social impact – conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) – the group also revealed it cut its carbon footprint by 61 per cent and water use by 72 per cent during the year, as part of its long term 2030 Sustainability agenda too align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

As part of this sustainability strategy, Ingesport has reduced the usage of chemical products in its operations by 99 per cent and moved its energy usage to 100 per cent renewables.

At the time of the report, Ingesport operated 17 facilities in Spain and two in Portugal, with more than 220,000 adult members, bringing its total membership to 250,000.

The company opened its 20th facility in Alcala de Henares, north of Madrid, in October 2020 with this location now serving more than 7,000 customers.

The company generated a turnover of €67.9m through its Spanish operations in 2019 – amounting to 92 per cent of the group's total turnover.

Figures also show that the group was growing rapidly, before the onset of the pandemic. In the period from January 2017 to December 2019, Ingesport grew its workforce by more than a third (33 per cent).

In addition, the report outlines Ingesport's impact on the financial wellbeing and security of its staff, highlighting its "uncommon position" within the sector – as 98 per cent of its workforce is on permanent contracts.

Commenting on the findings of the report, Gabriel Saez, president and founder of Ingesport, said: "As part of our commitment to the 2030 Agenda, we have made a great effort to reduce our energy consumption and move decisively towards clean energy, with the aim of becoming carbon neutral in the coming years.

"The results in the report reflect the effort, awareness and hard work of the employees that make up the GO fit family."

Saez also revealed that the group currently has 45 per cent of its facilities closed due to the pandemic.

"While COVID-19 has had a huge impact on Ingesport – and our entire society – it has also given us the chance to evidence our commitment to sustainability," he said. "Far from taking a step back, we continue to invest in the future, as well as in maximum security for our customers.

"Our priority has been to protect the jobs and wellbeing of our staff and we've guaranteed 100 per cent of the entire workforce's salaries during the lockdowns.

"The pandemic has also strengthened the view that physical exercise is the most powerful remedy that we have in our hands to promote health and wellbeing.

"The future of our sector is truly great, given our unique impact on society, and we look forward to being a positive force in the communities that we serve."