Brits estimated to waste £503 million on unused gym memberships in 2025

January is the busiest month for heading to the gym across the UK, and as 2025 gets going, searches for ‘cheap gyms near me’ have soared by over 5,000% across the UK in the past month.

In light of this, the experts at Live Football Tickets conducted a survey of 2,000 UK participants, to find out how many Brits plan to join the gym in 2025, and how likely they are to give up on their New Year’s resolution.

Expert advice has also been provided by Maarten Zomerdijk, Co-CEO of Live Football Tickets, on sticking to your gym goals in 2025.

How much money are Brits estimated to waste on gym memberships in 2025?

Live Football Tickets found that Brits are set to waste upwards of a staggering £503.1 million* in 2025, thanks to unused gym memberships.

From those that have set the gym as their new year’s resolutions previously, or that plan to join in 2025, the majority (34%) spend £21-£30 per month hitting the gym.

Of these respondents, the majority (27%) stopped going to the gym just 3-4 months after joining, with most memberships ending in March.

Then of those who stopped going, almost a fifth (18%) didn’t cancel their membership until 11-12 months later, meaning that if the same pattern were to occur in 2025, Brits will waste an average of £503,170,168* on unused gym memberships.

The full survey results are available to view here.

How many Brits have joined the gym as a New Year’s resolution previously?

Almost a quarter (24%) of those surveyed stated that they had joined the gym as a New Year’s resolution in previous years.

A quarter of those who had joined the gym as a fitness goal for the New Year admitted they had stopped using the gym after just 3-4 months (27%), with a fifth throwing in the towel at the 5-6 months stage (20%).

Almost one in five (18%) Brits quit going to the gym after as little as 1-2 months.

Only four percent of respondents said that they did not stop going to the gym, and that they still use it following a resolution they’d set.

Despite the average cost of a gym membership in the UK being around £47.24 a month, only a tenth of Brits are willing to pay this (10%)!

Live Football Tickets found that the most common amount Brits would spend on their memberships is £21-£30 per month (34%).

Interestingly, one in six (15%) are willing to spend up to £31-£40 on their memberships.

What are Brits health goals for the gym in 2025?

The overall goal for Brits when it comes to joining the gym in 2025 is to increase overall fitness levels, with more than two-fifths (45%) citing this as their main reason for doing so.

Whilst for 42% of those surveyed, they hope that joining the gym will boost their overall health and mood.

Maarten Zomerdijk, Co-CEO of Live Football Tickets, commented on the survey, sharing their advice on sticking to your gym goals in 2025: “Although the survey shows us that over a quarter of Brits will join the gym in January, previous years show us that many had quit by the 3-4 months stage. To combat this in 2025, staying motivated and on track with your exercise goals by utilising self rewards systems, clear goals, and finding enjoyment in exercise can be crucial.

“Starting small and building your way up is also key, as this can prevent unnecessary injury and strain on your body, as well as prevent demotivation due to difficulty. Tracking progress and being kind to yourself along the way are key steps in ensuring your gym routine doesn’t become a chore. By tracking your progression and achievements, you can see the benefits you are gaining.

“If there’s a day where you are not up to exercising, don’t let this demotivate you, rest days are also crucial. Instead, simply review how far you have come by looking at your positive progress made, and get back into the gym the next day, or whenever your mind and body is ready. Be kind to yourself and speak to family and friends if you are struggling with motivation, words of encouragement can go a long way!”