WEIGHT-loss jabs are boosting demand across The Gym Group, says its boss, as Brits fight to keep the flab off while maintaining muscle mass.
Chief executive Will Orr said the company was “absolutely” seeing the impact of GLP-1s as a “tailwind and contributory factor” for the business.
He views their rise as an opportunity “to help people sustain the results that might come from GLP-1s”.
Mr Orr said building strength at the gym was important for people on these jabs, as GLP-1s can reduce muscle density.
Analysts at Peel Hunt cited GLP-1 medications, along with Gen Z viewing fitness as “mandatory”, as key contributors to continued demand for the group’s gyms.
“It said the firm should have “plenty of growth to look forward to”.
But Mr Orr said he thought there was a wider health trend that existed before GLP-1s, calling health, fitness and wellness “juggernaut trends that are not going anywhere”.
The comment came as the group announced plans to open 75 new sites over the next three years, 25 more than previously stated, after reporting strong revenue growth and rising membership.
Total revenue rose eight per cent to £244.9million in 2025.
Gym membership grew by four per cent to 923,000.
The Gym Group currently operates 260 sites across the UK.
INN £35M FIX
PREMIER INN owner Whitbread has warned it faces a £35million hit linked to business rates changes from the Budget — less than previously forecast.
But the hospitality giant said tax changes announced in November are still “damaging”.
In an update, the group said sales rose by two per cent to £781million in the three months to the end of November, driven by growth at Premier Inn in the UK and Germany.
SOLE CRUSHING
SHOE ZONE has blamed “highly adverse” government policies for its plunging profits.
Shares dropped 22 per cent in morning trading yesterday after news that pre-tax profits fell from £10.1million to £3.3million, or by two thirds, in the year to September 27.
It also forecast a near-equal year-on-year dip down to £1million by this October.
The footwear firm said its high costs and low demand resulted from Budget measures.
WARHAMMER HURRAH
GAMES WORKSHOP said its half-year sales hit a record high as it shunned the use of AI-generated content and stood by its “human creators”.
Revenues at the maker of Warhammer figurines jumped by nearly 12 per cent to £333.7million over the six months to November 30, compared with the same period in 2024.
The rise helped drive an 11 per cent year-on-year increase to its pre-tax profit, which totalled £140.8million.
This came despite a £6million hit to profits during the half-year due to US tariff changes under President Donald Trump.
