This year’s IHRSA Global Report is a record of the impact of the pandemic on the sector, creating a benchmark from which to understand the recovery

ukactive’s Kenny Butler is leading the UK’s industry review of social prescribing. He explains how you can get involved in driving this new agenda

Research confirms the role health clubs can play in supporting members to nurture their mental health. Victor Brick explains the outcomes of a new study by the John W Brick Foundation

Qualtrics surveyed 12,157 consumers in 15 countries in seven languages to create the Les Mills 2021 Global Fitness Report, as Jak Phillips explains

The industry veteran is launching Afrofit, a new health club business in Africa

The UK’s biggest marina operator is getting into fitness with the launch of a new eco-gym brand – MDL Fitness

The chair of the Black Swimming Association on how operators can support people of colour in getting fitter

The CEO of The Great Outdoor Gym Company has been awarded an MBE. We find out about her work and vision

At-home pilates reformer brand Frame Fitness has secured a US$5m seed financing round led by Mark Mastrov, founder and former CEO of 24 Hour Fitness.

Digital health and fitness platform Fittr has raised US$11.5m in a Series A funding round.

The former president and CEO of Gold’s Gym is now CEO of Intelivideo

London boutique The Refinery has created an avatar-led digital offering

EGYM has completed a US$41m Series E financing round led by Mayfair Equity Partners, a leading tech and consumer growth investor.

iFIT Health & Fitness has confirmed plans to go public and list the business on the Nasdaq.

Following its IPO, the sporting superstar is investing in global gym franchise, F45

As the world grapples with climate change and prepares for COP26 in Glasgow, David Minton says it’s time for the fitness industry to step up and make its own contribution to saving the planet

As David Lloyd Leisure announces it’s regained its pre-pandemic membership numbers, its CEO talks to HCM

Deloitte’s eighth annual report into the European health and fitness market has assessed the destruction of the pandemic. Liz Terry summarises some key findings

HCM Handbook editor, Kath Hudson, introduces the 2021 edition in which we have tried to make sense of this crazy period of history from lockdown 1.0 until freedom day and try to predict what could come next.

For this unprecedented year, we asked a stellar line up of industry big hitters, from around the globe, to give their thoughts on how COVID has shaped the health and fitness industry and where we go from here

Thought leader, Emma Barry, talks about the changes which have happened and how to adapt and move forward in the roaring 20s, including intoxicating solutions to motivate the unmotivated and addressing a wider demographic

Industry research showed independent gyms were more resilient in last year’s challenging conditions than some of the big operators, we find out why

One legacy of the pandemic is the extra support the nation now needs to get healthy, as well as rehabilitation support for long COVID sufferers. Kate Cracknell looks at the early response from the industry with some of the programmes underway

UCL tracked the nation’s psychological response to the pandemic from dragging bikes out of sheds in L1.0 to spending more time on the sofa in L3.0

With interminable lockdowns and media scare stories that people would stay with digital or outdoor workouts, it has been an edgy time for the fitness industry. However, nothing can compare to the gym experience according to Les Mills CEO, Phillip Mills, who reviews the stats

New competition is coming from every direction, says Liz Terry

Rigs have been central to gyms for years. Suppliers tell how they’re evolving to meet changing needs

Jo Farrier, head of commercial and resources at Active Northumberland, talks about how a strategic partnership with Technogym is changing public perceptions of council leisure facilities

Therme Group’s CEO explains the rollout of the company’s 100,000sq m wellness resorts around the world

The founder and CEO of RSG Group talks to HCM about acquiring Gold’s Gym, continuing the global expansion of John Reed and dealing with COVID-19