The westernmost country in Europe, the United Kingdom is made up of four different countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and is set across 3,000 islands. A nation of vastly different cultures, it is the origin of the English language which is so well used across the world partly as a result of colonial activities in previous centuries. 

Its population of 67 million is largely found in a number of large cities, dominated by the capital, London. A centre of trade, the city swells to 13 million people on work days and is known as being the location of some of the world’s best-known landmarks such as the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament. The UK boasts many famous and influential people, from Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the world wide web to Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin. More recently, musicians Ed Sheeran and Adele have also achieved worldwide acclaim. Two of the world’s top universities, Oxford and Cambridge, are at the centre of the country’s educational establishment, while sports like Formula One and Club football have been dominated by British teams over the years. The UK’s historic openness to outsiders has led to it being extremely popular among travelers, with London one of the most visited cities in the world each year. 

Fitness in United Kingdom

With a wide range of sports, from cricket to rugby to football, throughout the country, sports and exercise have been a key component of life for generations. Gym and fitness club culture has fed into this, and the UK now comprises the third largest gym market in the world, with over 15% of residents being a member of the gym, in an industry now valued at over $7bn. Though there are some more modern entrants into the market, gyms are still fairly traditional in their operation, meaning that a service like TrainAway has a valued place for travelers looking by day passes to gyms in United Kingdom.