leisure centre membership

Recent studies by ukactive are helping highlight how positive visiting leisure centres for exercise is for people’s mental health and wellbeing. The organisation, which is committed to improving the health of the population of the UK, has identified how the sports & leisure industry plays a key factor in their important initiative. 

ukactive’s Mental Health in Motion report from September 2025 details how gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres offer more than just equipment and facilities for physical exercise. They also provide welcoming community spaces where people can connect and find confidence in building relationships, as well as happiness in achieving their goals and feeling physically stronger.

The Benefits of Exercise
Exercise can provide endless benefits for every individual’s mental health as it releases brain chemicals, such as endorphins, which will reduce stress and enhance wellbeing. Being physically active also helps to improve sleep patterns, increase energy levels and boost concentration.

• Helps manage stress and anxiety by offering a healthy distraction from negativity and easing the general symptoms of depression.
• Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins in the brain which naturally lifts an individual’s mood, increases happiness levels, and can also offer pain relief.
• Enhances quality of sleep, which is essential to mental wellbeing.
• Self-esteems and confidence levels are improved when people start to achieve their goals and feel better about their appearance and health.
• Brains will benefit as regular exercise will improve memory, concentration levels and thinking abilities, and physical activity can also help minimise the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. 
• Energy levels receive a boost and lethargy is reduced.

ukactive Report Findings & Appeal to UK Government 

• Nearly 72% of adults surveyed with a mental health condition say being physically active has helped them to stay well and less likely to have time off work.
• More than 61% say they would join a gym if it was offered as a benefit or at a discounted rate through their employer.
• ukactive appealed to the UK Government to use the physical activity sector to improve workforce health as thousands of workplaces, schools, gyms, and leisure centres marked National Fitness Day on 24 September 2025.

ukactive exists to improve the health of the nation by getting more people, more active, more often.

ukactive ‘Who We Are & Mission Statement’