Heading into 2021, storytelling will be a key trend among fitness content creators and
connected fitness providers, as the industry recognises its potential to unlock ultra-
engaging experiences that boost retention.
Maintaining a consistent member experience across a growing health and fitness brand can
prove challenging.
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latest news
Fitbit reported sales of US$505m for the first quarter of 2016 – a 50 per cent increase on
Q1 2015 – prompting the fitness tracking giant to raise profit guidance for the rest of the
year.
Nuffield Health has opened its first specialist sports performance lab at its flagship City
Fitness and Wellbeing gym in London, offering elite-level diagnostics to help clients
develop tailored exercise programmes.
London Sport has announced the launch of a new insight and data portal as it seeks to
make good on its goal of transforming London into the most active city in the world.
Google has continued its efforts to get more people active
with the introduction of a new
tool to its Calendar platform which helps hard-pressed
people find time for a workout.
Health and fitness software provider Virtuagym has
unveiled several new partnerships as
the Dutch-based firm seeks to boost its offering for gym
operators, PTs and members.
Technogym has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire a majority stake in
Exerp – a global digital specialist in fitness club member engagement software, based in
Denmark.
ukactive has called for a major rethink of how children are engaged with physical activity,
after new research found almost nine in ten UK parents feel tablets and smartphones are
adding to Britain’s youth inactivity crisis.
Fitness has a major role to play in the fast-changing global landscape, both in terms of
harnessing the power of technology and shielding us from its more harmful aspects, Randi
Zuckerberg told delegates at IHRSA 2016 today (23 March).
Spafinder Wellness has launched a new mobile platform, The Wellness App, which gives
users the ability to find, book and pay for wellness services from their mobile phones.
Health clubs must embrace and optimise the technology which is transforming the
marketplace or they will inevitably become obsolete, said fitness entrepreneur Rasmus
Ingerslev.
UK Sport and British Cycling have teamed up with multinational security organisation BAE
Systems on the development of an advanced ergometer in advance of the Rio 2016
Olympics.
Italian wellness giant Technogym is pushing forward with plans for a partial IPO in Italy,
having filed preliminary papers with the country’s stock market regulators.
Fitness technology giant Gantner has been acquired by the private equity backer behind
high street food chain EAT.
Social workout app Fitssi is on a mission to connect more like-
minded fitness fans and the company has outlined expansion into
the US as its latest objective.
Boutique fitness software solutions provider Glofox has secured a major cash injection as
the firm revs up for an expansion into the US market.
With a recent study showing that more
than 60 per cent of the adult population in Dubai is overweight, the Dubai Health
Authority (DHA) has drawn up a
behaviour change plan in an effort to get
residents to eat more healthily and
take more exercise.
Microsoft is dipping its toe in the sport market by adapting its augmented reality HoloLens
headset to expand fan experiences for National Football League (NFL) games.
Stressed-out sports captains, struggling to put out a team on a cold Tuesday evening in
Stoke, have been thrown a lifeline – an app which links up available sportspeople with
local teams in need of players.
Former Twitter CEO Dick Costolo has announced that he is working on a new fitness
software platform which will seek to integrate existing apps and workouts with a strong
“community aspect.”
Fitness tracking devices are expected to remain the dominant force in the wearable tech
market over the next three years, according to new research, although smartwatches are
anticipated to gradually increase their market share.
Disney and Creative England have named Liverpool-based tech firm Citrus Suite as the
winner of an £80,000 development fund to create an app that inspires families to lead
healthier lifestyles.
It’s understood that IMAX, which specialises in creating immersive 3D and 4D cinematic experiences,
is looking to move into the US health and fitness industry.
Sports minister Tracey Crouch has highlighted the importance of technology and apps in
trying to mobilise people from disadvantaged communities to get active.
Fitbug Holdings has secured the services of innovation specialist and former Nokia high
flyer Dr Mark Ollila as a non-executive director.
features
interview
Blurring the lines
Les Mills has launched a suite of digital solutions to help gyms
future-proof by expanding their reach in the booming online fitness
space, while complementing their live offerings. Steph Eaves talks
to Les Mills International’s CMO Anna Henwood to find out more
interview
Preston Lewis, Black Box VR
“It’s clear that combining VR gaming with fitness has the potential to decrease pain, increase enjoyment, and allow players to push their bodies further than they would normally, creating real fitness gains over time”
people
Devi Mahadevia
Facebook director of sports and fitness partnerships
“With Facebook paid online events, publishers can charge viewers to attend a video livestream on their Facebook pages or a third party video service”
Virtual wellbeing check
Feelings of pressure, isolation and performance anxiety are
commonly experienced by athletes, however it isn’t always easy for
clubs to identify those who are struggling. Richard Lucas, founder
of GoVox, explains how technology can help
Digital retention top performers
Three digital fitness platforms tell Fit Tech how they work to achieve higher levels of customer retention
interview
Rodrigo Jesus, Salus Optima
“We recognise that we can digitise most of the coaching experience, but we also recognise that the human in the loop is irreplaceable”
Editor's letter
Big (fit) tech
We’re entering the age of the wellness mega-corp, with the ultimate goal for investors being to dominate health and wellness markets in every channel. Prepare to expect the unexpected in this convergence of health, fitness and wellness
people
Andy Etches
Founder and sports director, Rezzil
“Rezzil was able to have an injured player learning his new manager's philosophy, positioning and playing style – all from a seated position”
Staying sticky
Bob Lawson explains how digital fitness platforms and apps can maximise retention and prevent churn
Sky x Fiit
Fiit has secured a deal with TV giant Sky, to make its virtual workout platform available through the subscription-based Sky Q service. With 20 per cent of Fiit users now accessing the app through Sky, Fit Tech speaks to Fraser Stirling and Daniel Shellard to find out more
Collect wind power as you move
Researchers in China have designed a tiny device that can scavenge wind energy from the breeze you make when you walk or run
Clubs without walls
Venueserve Fitness is working with the Health Club Collection to drive its digital customer engagement