FIBO 2015: Health club sector M&A activity on the rise
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/837658_478350.jpg)
The health club sector is becoming an increasingly attractive prospect for investors, as evidenced by a significant jump in the number of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) seen over the past year.
There were 19 M&A transactions alone in 2014, compared to an overall total of 24 in the three years previously, according to the European Health & Fitness Market Report 2014.
The report - presented today (8 April) by Karsten Hollasch of Deloitte at the European Health & Fitness Forum (EHFF) in Cologne, Germany - observed an industry that has escaped the doldrums of recession and is fast becoming an attractive prospect thanks to its growth. It noted the majority of activity was being driven by strategic investors and financial investors rather than private individuals, with only one of the 19 M&A transactions being driven by the latter in 2014.
Other key findings from the 150-page report included:
- There is a certain correlation between GDP growth and health club membership increases. This was evidenced by 2014 gym membership growth in Spain, Turkey, Germany and Poland - all of which outstripped the average European gym membership growth rate of 4 per cent
- Despite German-based McFit having the largest membership base (around 1.3 million), Virgin Active remains Europe’s biggest gym chain in terms of revenue by some distance
- Most European club operators expect to grow in 2015, with Polish clubs the most optimistic and Russian clubs the least
Health Club Management will be on hand throughout FIBO 2015, live reporting on the latest developments throughout the show and posting them straight to the Health Club Management website. Head of news Jak Phillips will also be live-tweeting from the event, follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/783174_192698.jpg)
![](https://www.sportsmanagement.co.uk/images/SMlogoSmall.jpg)
Facility Manager - LSBU Active
Team Leader
Fitness Motivator
Swim Teacher
Duty Manager (Dry)
Health and Fitness Instructor
Head of Operations
Senior Leisure Officer
Swimming Teacher
Swimming Teacher
Company profile
![Company profile: miha bodytec Company profile: miha bodytec](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/2021/989781_981837.jpg)
Featured Supplier
![Altrafit introduces custom functional fitness equipment at Third Space
Altrafit introduces custom functional fitness equipment at Third Space](http://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/2024/THUMB353527_44838_406906.jpg)
Property & Tenders
Company: Jersey War Tunnels
Company: Savills
Company: Cotswold Lakes Trust
Company: Knight Frank
Company: Belvoir Castle