Will Orr says The Gym Group is in a virtuous circle of sustained growth

The Gym Group will be continuing to follow its Next Chapter strategy going forward and is confident for the full year, following the launch of its half year results today.

“We’re really pleased with the continued momentum in the first half of the year when it comes to trading, delivery and progress of our Next Chapter growth plan,” CEO, Will Orr, told HCM today. “We’re seeing improving returns on the mature estate, the new sites are performing well and we’re opening new sites from free cash flow, so we’ve got a nice virtuous circle of sustained growth.”

Average membership was up 4 per cent to 953,000 and revenue was up 8 per cent and 3 per cent on a like-for-like basis.

The high value low cost operator is confident of meeting its guided target of 14 to 16 sites this year. Three gyms have already opened, four more are in progress and contracts have been exchanged on a further four.

The company is also pushing its nationwide coverage – of the 247 gyms now open, less than half are in the Greater London area. The next site due to open is in Edinburgh.

“While there’s a lot going on in the world generally, trading has been sustained,” says Orr. “There's good ongoing demand for high value, low cost fitness, particularly among the Gen Z audience.”

A new design aesthetic was unveiled at the end of last year, with Gen Z in mind. All the new sites are showcasing this look and it will gradually be rolled out to the mature estate as part of the maintenance programme.

Hyrox classes are now running at half of the gyms and the introduction of recovery areas is on the horizon.

Some incremental price rises, in line with inflation, are likely to be introduced. “We have data to show there are very strong value for money perceptions because of our offering, so we’ve got firm foundations to do some modest prices increases, while still offering amazing value,” says Orr.

Net debt as of 30 June 2025 was £51.2m, compared with £61.3m at 31 December 2024 and £54.6m at 30 June 2024. It is expected to trend back towards the levels at December 2024 given the new gym opening and refurbishment programmes are second-half weighted.

A more detailed market update will follow in September.