Some have been hailing it a cure for obesity. Others are being more pragmatic, acknowledging it as a fun trend – albeit one that is, at least until the novelty wears off, getting sedentary people off the sofa in their droves.
But however you view it, Pokémon Go has certainly dominated the headlines since it launched at the beginning of July. And deservedly so: I only have to glance out of my window, at pretty much any time of the day and well past sunset, to see people of all ages – from kids to teens in hoodies to older folks (with no kids in sight to use as an excuse) – playing the game… and having fun while walking.
The debate has already been rumbling about how long-term the appeal of Pokémon Go might be – how sustainable its boost to activity levels, and how significant its impact on public health. So rather than repeat those discussions, we’ve asked the experts a question we believe to be far more important for the fitness and activity sector in the long run: What can we learn from the huge success of Pokémon Go?