Confidence in the future of the fitness industry remains high among fitness professionals, according to a report by research company Leisure-net Solutions.

The Fitness Industry Confidence Survey (FICS), backed by the Fitness Industry Association (FIA) and sponsored by Leisure Industry Week (LIW), revealed that more than three quarters of those surveyed (78 per cent) were as confident as, or more confident about the future of the industry than they were three months ago.

The FICS will act as an industry barometer in terms of confidence, trends and perceptions. This month's results are from the first of four quarterly online surveys which target senior managers from both the public and private sectors.

Mike Hill, managing director of Leisure-net Solutions said: "This survey is a first for the industry. It allows us to get inside the heads of some of the most experienced people in the industry, and benefit from both their experiences and predictions for the future.

"In times of unparalleled challenges and change, up to date market intelligence like this is vital."

Despite a confidence in the future of the industry, a third of the operators surveyed stated that they expected business to get worse in the next year. But this belief hasn't affected plans for investment, with two thirds of respondents saying that they will be maintaining or increasing investment in the coming year.

Dave Stalker, executive director of the FIA, said: "The economic climate will continue to provide a level of uncertainty in the year ahead. However, despite the downward economic trend, the industry still managed to report a 1 per cent growth to £3.8bn last year.

"We can expect to see discounting and increased competition between members but this is not a challenge we are unfamiliar with, and for every challenge, there's also an opportunity.

"We've never had a more important role to play in helping the Government deliver its public health strategy. This brings about opportunities to drive membership sales through national commercial partnerships and workplace wellness activity."