UK fitness industry powers into National Fitness Day

UK fitness and leisure operators are using National Fitness Day 2026 to attract new customers, engage local communities and showcase the role their facilities can play in supporting the nation’s health and wellbeing.

Now in its 15th year, National Fitness Day 2026 takes place today (Wednesday 16 September), with the theme ‘Powered by you’ returning for a second year.

Coordinated by UK Active and delivered by its members, National Fitness Day celebrates the role of physical activity in supporting physical and mental health, with an average of 10 million people taking part each year.

Cameron Saunders, CEO of UK Active, said: “National Fitness Day is about showing the nation that physical activity is for everyone, regardless of age, background or experience.

“It’s a chance to come together to celebrate being active and also the brilliant work of our local gyms, pools, leisure centres and sports clubs. We encourage all our members, partners and organisations across the UK to get involved and help power National Fitness Day in every community.”

Across the country, operators are using the day to open their facilities to new audiences, with free gym, swimming and fitness sessions featuring prominently.

Better is offering free gym, fitness class and pool sessions across its estate, while Kore is providing free gym access, classes, EGYM inductions, meet-the-PT sessions and racket bookings. Everyone Active is also offering free activities and taster sessions, alongside family swimming and wellness classes. Your Space and BH Live are opening their facilities to the wider community with free gym, class and swimming access.

Several operators are extending their activity beyond National Fitness Day itself. Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust is running a week-long campaign, including a free seven-day trial and a network-wide challenge to generate one million Power Points. Tees Active is also offering a week of free gym access, alongside day passes for its gym, swimming and sauna facilities. 

Challenges and health initiatives are another common theme. Tees Active is offering free health checks, including blood pressure and BMI checks, group exercise classes and a Technogym Moves Challenge, with a free month’s membership as the prize. In Kent, TM Active is running a programme extending into the following week, featuring a 1k swimming challenge, free Tanita assessments and mini gym challenges.

Meanwhile, operators are also using the campaign to create more localised activity. Horizon Leisure is taking an event-led approach with a 90s Sporting Heroes theme, activities, classes, challenges and family sessions across its centres.

Anytime Fitness is partnering with Apple Fitness+ for a morning event at Battersea Power Station, featuring a panel discussion involving UK Active, an optional HIIT workout, breakfast and networking.

Total Active Hub is collaborating with Les Mills Born to Move to bring world-leading youth fitness content to the Total Active Hub platform. Designed for children and young people aged two to 16, Born to Move combines fun, age-appropriate movement with the physical, social and emotional benefits of regular activity. The partnership reflects a shared commitment between Total Active Hub and Les Mills to remove barriers to participation and create more opportunities for young people to be active in the environments where they learn, play and socialise.

Previous campaigns suggest the initiative can generate significant footfall. Better recorded 128,523 visits across its 240-plus leisure facilities on National Fitness Day 2024 and issued 4,300 free one-day memberships.

National Fitness Day was first organised in 2011 by Energie Fitness founder, the late Jan Spaticchia, who gifted it to UK Active to run on behalf of the nation. UK Active subsequently created a Jan Spaticchia award in his honour.