Fitness is absolutely smashing it across the UK right now, with places like Wrexham, Newtownabbey, and Buckley stepping up as go-to spots for workouts like yoga, Pilates, and CrossFit.
The Fitness Group dug into the data—using Mindbody, Superprof, and Google Trends—to figure out which cities are nailing it in seven key fitness categories: Pilates, Yoga, CrossFit, Strength Training, HIIT, Weightlifting, and Gymnastics.
They looked at things like how many classes are available, private trainers on offer, and even how often people are Googling these workouts to pin down where the action’s at for fitness lovers.
Top Fitness Capitals in the UK
At the top of the rankings is Wrexham, earning an impressive overall score of 92.65. With its abundance of fitness classes and high search volumes for disciplines like yoga and gymnastics, Wrexham stands out as the UK’s leading fitness city.
Close behind are Newtownabbey (89.70) and Buckley (88.23), showcasing the diverse fitness culture spread across the nation. Smaller cities benefited from the analysis being calculated per 100,000 residents, leveling the playing field against larger urban areas.
Top 10 Fitness Cities:
- Wrexham – Score: 92.65
- Newtownabbey – Score: 89.70
- Buckley – Score: 88.23
- Lisburn – Score: 82.35
- East Kilbride – Score: 79.45
- 6-10. Newport, Belfast, Dundee, London, and Nottingham followed, each reflecting their own unique fitness strengths.
Spotlight on the Fitness Disciplines
Each city has developed a reputation for excelling in specific fitness categories, making them go-to destinations for enthusiasts of particular workouts.
| Fitness Discipline | City | Classes per 100,000 Residents | Searches per 100,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yoga | Wrexham | 16.74 | 76.11 |
| Pilates | London | 16.77 | 66.16 |
| CrossFit | Newtownabbey | 14.09 | 78.30 |
| Strength Training | Lisburn | N/A | 64.51 |
| HIIT | Buckley | 7.86 | 78.65 |
| Weightlifting | Belfast | 1.82 | 18.20 |
| Gymnastics | Wrexham | 9.13 | 761.11 |
Most Popular Fitness Classes in the UK
When it comes to what people are looking for, yoga and Pilates are smashing it, with 59.07 and 56.34 searches per million residents, respectively.
Meanwhile, high-intensity stuff like HIIT and niche workouts like gymnastics and CrossFit aren’t as massive but still have their loyal fanbases putting in the work.
This data highlights yoga and Pilates as widely accessible and adaptable workouts that appeal to all ages and fitness levels.
Expert Insights: Fitness Trends and Public Health
Steven Dick, Co-Founder of The Fitness Group, reflected on the growing fitness culture in the UK:
“We’re seeing various types of exercise gaining traction in different cities in the UK, from Wrexham to London, which is encouraging for public health.
Different cities are developing their own fitness strengths. While some excel in yoga, others stand out in CrossFit or strength training.
This variety is beneficial because it allows more people to find a type of exercise that suits them, which is crucial for maintaining long-term health.
As people consider their health during the festive season and think about potential New Year’s resolutions, it’s encouraging to see such diverse fitness options available across the UK.
Whether someone is looking to stay active during the holidays or start a new fitness routine in the new year, there are likely to be suitable options in their area.”
With Christmas creeping up and New Year’s resolutions on the horizon, having so many fitness options around is bang on.
Whether you’re staying active over the holidays or planning to hit the ground running in January, there’s no shortage of workouts to get stuck into—no matter where you live in the UK.