In a country where weather moans are as common as morning tea, it turns out Brits are prioritising more than just umbrellas and queuing etiquette—they’re doubling down on wellbeing.
According to the new Wellness Index from fitness experts Mirafit, the UK’s capital has officially claimed the crown as the best city for wellness, with a near-perfect score of 89 out of 90.
That’s right—London isn’t just for financiers, influencers, and commuters anymore. It’s also the national hotspot for gyms, green space, and somewhere to breathe deeply without the aid of a paper bag.
The Wellness Index ranks UK cities by three telling metrics: new wellness businesses per 100,000 residents, number of gyms, and access to parks or gardens. It’s not just about how hard you sweat, but where you go to recover after the sweating stops.
So, who else is flexing in the nation’s top ten?
The Full Wellness Rundown
1. London: With a staggering 850 gyms and 313 parks, London isn’t just sprawling, it’s spiritually sprawling too. Since 2022, the capital has added 24 new wellness businesses per 100,000 people. Whether you’re into sauna sessions or downward dogging in Hyde Park, London’s got your wellness regime covered.
2. Birmingham: The UK’s second city clocks in with 83 points. Home to 112 gyms and 46 leafy retreats, Brum has seen 15 new wellness businesses spring up in recent years. It’s a city that doesn’t mind getting its chakras in order while balancing the odd balti.
3. Glasgow: Scotland’s most populous city punches in with 79 points and a healthy mix of 62 gyms, 45 parks, and 22 new wellness outfits per 100,000 people. From hot yoga to cold plunges, Glaswegians are evidently warming to the wellness wave.
4. Leeds: Known more for its industry than its inner peace, Leeds defies expectations with 76 points, thanks to 81 gyms, 27 parks, and 14 new wellness spots since 2022. The steel might be gone, but the self-care has rolled in.
5. Liverpool: Scoring 73 points, the Merseyside city keeps pace with 63 gyms, 37 green spaces and 13 new wellness businesses. It’s not all Beatles nostalgia and football fever—there’s mindfulness happening between the anthems.
6. Cardiff: Wales’ capital puts in a strong showing with 65 points. With 24 parks, 50 gyms and 16 new wellness ventures, Cardiff proves it’s not just rugby and rarebit. There’s recovery going on in between.
7. Manchester: The city that brought us Oasis and Premier League drama scores 63 points. Oddly enough, it tops the list in total new wellness businesses—151 in total since 2022—but falls short on green space and gym density.
8. Coventry: Perhaps better known for car manufacturing and Lady Godiva, Coventry still pulls a respectable 62 points. With 70 gyms and 16 new wellness businesses, the city shows it’s got more under the bonnet than meets the eye.
9. Bradford: With 60 points, 93 gyms and 13 green spaces, Bradford residents are combining fitness with tranquillity in ways that would make even the stiffest Yorkshireman consider a post-lift steam session.
10. Bristol: Rounding out the top ten with 60 points, this creative enclave has 53 gyms, 22 parks, and 13 new wellness businesses per 100,000 people. The vibe? Strong on sustainability, stronger on self-care.
A Reflection of National Trends
Commenting on the findings, Mark Harris, Fitness Expert at Mirafit, said: “Our new wellness index has highlighted the cities around the UK that are prioritising both fitness and wellness through new facilities and green spaces.
It’s becoming more apparent that fitness fanatics are combining regimes with wellness to enhance recovery, improve blood flow and reduce injury risk.”
He added: “By creating this index, we can monitor the locations experiencing the biggest wellness boom in the UK. Overall, while it was interesting to see London rank at the top, we found it encouraging to see both Scotland and Wales represented within the top ten.
“Overall, it’ll be interesting to see how these figures fluctuate over the next twelve months and if a new city emerges as the go-to city for wellness. For now, in 2025, it’s London that ranks above all other locations.”
So, whether you’re a Londoner looking to justify your £70-a-month gym membership or a Glaswegian discovering the magic of hot stone massage, the Wellness Index offers a revealing snapshot into where the UK is heading: toward a life where biceps and balance coexist.
Explore Mirafit’s full range of fitness gear here and see how your city stacks up.
