How we’re supporting health businesses in 2026 

It’s January… which means that many gym, yoga and Pilates studio owners are inevitably welcoming in a brand-new wave of new year’s resolutioners. At Capital Space, we have also welcomed many health businesses into our centres throughout the years, so we know the importance of finding the right space that will support your business – particularly when you get a sudden influx of customers. Read on to find out how Brits are feeling about their health, this year’s health and fitness trends, and top tips to retain clients past the new year’s peak 

How do Brits feel about their health in 2026? 

Across the UK, our collective focus on fitness, health and wellbeing continues to grow in 2026, though attitudes and behaviours vary by age and motivation. According to PureGym’s 2025 UK Fitness Report, three quarters (76%) of people aspire to be fit, but just under half (48%) exercise regularly, and only three in ten meet government activity guidelines.  Statistics from UKActive (2025) show that Gen Z place particular emphasis on their health and wellbeing, with data that for 26% of them, it is their top discretionary spending priority. 

A broader industry overview also shows gym and leisure facility memberships rising year on year, with 11 million gym members in 2024, and 616 million gym visits per year. Motivators for taking out gym or leisure memberships include improving physical strength and fitness, enhancing mental health, and boosting overall confidence — with mental wellbeing increasingly cited as a core driver across age groups. The growing mainstream embrace of fitness suggests a generational shift: what was once a “nice to have” is now an essential element of many people’s lifestyles. 

For health businesses like gyms, Pilates and yoga studios, this sustained interest presents both opportunity and responsibility: to welcome new clients at peak times like January, and to support them in turning resolutions into lasting habits. 

How a flexible studio can provide the perfect workspace for your fitness centre

At Capital Space, our studios are versatile workspaces that sit between an office and a workshop, designed to support service-oriented SMEs — including fitness and wellness professionals such as gym instructors, yoga teachers and Pilates practitioners. 

Each studio comes with its own external entrance, which means you and your clients can come and go outside of reception hours — a perfect fit for early-morning classes or late-evening sessions. Studios also offer: 

• Privacy: ideal for client-facing appointments or one-to-one sessions. 

• Accessibility: direct access for visitors, couriers, or customers. 

• Branding: external signage helps your business make a confident first impression. 

• Convenience: many studios include a dedicated parking bay right outside the unit. 

• Flexibility and scalability: our easy-in, easy-out licenses mean your space can adapt with you. 

However, we understand that during the January rush, fitness centres will need additional support to accommodate new customers. That’s why we offer all our studio clients:  

 

• Superfast internet to support class bookings, client communications and online content.

• Professional meeting rooms for consultations, planning sessions or hybrid training classes (learn more about the importance of in-person meetings). 

• A friendly reception team and a well-managed reception area, perfect for when customers are waiting for their next class to start. They can also answer your calls and receive you mail during those times when you are with clients. 

• Many of our sites have on-site cafes, so your clients can refresh and refuel after a tough session

Our team is dedicated to helping you create a studio environment that reflects your brand and helps you keep members engaged and returning. 

Top tips to retain clients throughout the year 

January brings a surge of enthusiastic new members — but keeping them past the initial peak is key to business sustainability. 

1. Build a smart onboarding strategy

• Research shows us the influence that friends hold on maintaining consistency, and new gym joiners may quit within a few months if they aren’t welcomed into the community, shown how to get started and given clear guidance. Effective onboarding, such as scheduling four sessions in the first few weeks, can significantly improve retention. Industry data shows that even a couple of meaningful interactions each month can reduce membership cancellation dramatically and boost long-term engagement. 

2. Offer group fitness experiences

• Group classes dramatically improve adherence. In fact, members who take 2+ group classes per week are 50% more likely to stay past a year. This is not only because social support and shared goals build a sense of belonging, but also because the simple act of booking and scheduling in a session makes people more likely to show up. 

3. Prepare for the January influx

• Statistically, January accounts for a disproportionate share of new sign-ups compared with other months. Being prepared operationally — with staff schedules set, systems tested, and equipment in peak condition, means your studio can capitalise on this wave without strain. 

4. Balance new and existing members

• An influx of new clients can be overwhelming for loyal long-time members. Retention is not just about keeping new members engaged; it’s about recognising and rewarding your long-standing community too. Events, mixed-level classes, and referral incentives can knit the whole member base closer together. 

5. Leverage digital visibility

• Website traffic and searches for fitness services spike around the new year. An up-to-date, mobile-friendly online presence and active social channels help your business capture local interest when search behaviour is at its peak. 

Pitfalls to avoid when running a health studio 

Even with the best facilities and intentions, there are common traps that can undermine client retention: 

• You ignore your data. You are privy to tonnes of useful information: attendance, class utilisation, member satisfaction, and more. Ignored, it is just noise. Used wisely, it can inform targeted engagement and personalised outreach. 
• You overlook individual relationships. Members want to feel seen and valued. Simple steps, such as remembering names, checking in on progress, or inviting feedback, go a long way towards fostering loyalty. 
• You wait too long to intervene. If a member’s attendance drops or goals stall, proactive outreach (without judgment) can re-engage them before they drift away. 
• You’ve built a studio that’s ‘just a space’. Make it a destination: events, workshops, community, and member-focused activities turn a studio into a community hub, not just a place to exercise. 

Creating an environment that supports members from day one — with thoughtful onboarding, community-building, and business-savvy space design — is the key to sustaining growth long past the new year surge. 

If you are looking for office space from a provider that wants to support your business success, get in touch.