NEWS

From 20 to 22 October, INDESCAT, with the support of ACCIÓ, organised a business mission to London to explore new business models, innovative sports facilities and the main trends shaping the British fitness sector. The initiative combined visits to leading facilities with participation in the HCM Summit 2026, an international conference focusing on preventive health, longevity and the future of sports operators.

The visits to Woolwich Waves, MARCHON, Our Parks, Yours, Gymbox and JAB Boxing provided insights into different approaches transforming the sector. These ranged from public facilities integrating health promotion programmes to boutique fitness studios focusing on specialisation, proprietary training methods, physical recovery and community-building as key differentiating factors.

One of the mission's main takeaways was the growing role of sports facilities as key players in health promotion and prevention. This trend was also a central theme at the HCM Summit, where new opportunities were explored to connect fitness with healthcare systems, incorporate services related to brain health and healthy ageing, and develop more integrated business models.

Member retention and user experience also emerged as strategic priorities. During the conference, operator SATS shared that members participating in group exercise classes remain engaged with their facilities 1.8 times longer than other members, highlighting the value of group activities and community-building in ensuring the long-term sustainability of sports businesses.

The mission highlighted that the future of fitness goes beyond conventional training, with a shift towards spaces that combine physical activity, health, wellbeing, technology and social connection. This landscape creates new opportunities for innovation, diversification and international collaboration for companies in the Catalan sports industry.

Through this initiative, INDESCAT reinforces its commitment to the internationalisation of the sector, providing access to leading industry experiences and fostering knowledge exchange to strengthen the competitiveness of the Catalan sports ecosystem.