The global fitness market is primed for explosive growth over the next decade, as accelerated digitalisation and a convergence of big brands into the sector will spawn a billion global fitness users.

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.

A new generation of apps are aiming to make PT even more convenient

Nigel Wallace of Lifetime Training considers the proposal to offer personal training on the NHS

With the rise of technology and apps, can personal trainers survive and evolve to meet changing consumer needs?

We continue our series on the most impressive examples of health club design from around the world

A look at some of the latest innovations in strength equipment around the world

Joining the dots between fitness and rehab, and creating a community through apps

We take a look at some of the new smart bras combining proper support with the latest wearable technology

Open platforms, personalised plans and boutiques within clubs are just some of the trends industry experts are predicting for 2016. Kath Hudson reports

Rounding up some of the latest product launches for your group exercise studio

We look at some of the latest off-the-shelf packages for HIIT classes

What do new regulations on the transferral of personal data mean for your business?

Does a move to fewer, larger trusts mean that local needs won’t be heard?

How can clubs improve their performance in the critical area of yield management?

Are tangible rewards the best way to get members to stick to their exercise regimes? We report on the growing category of exercise reward schemes

TVS Sports Surfaces profiles its recent noise- and vibration-reducing project at Body Zone Fitness in Newcastle, UK

How is the fitness sector faring when it comes to securing good locations for clubs?

It’s time for health clubs to embrace activity tracking and not see it as a threat – but how many operators are achieving this?

eGym’s personalised, connected member experience is driving customer acquisition and retention alike

The former All Blacks captain turned motivational speaker discusses leadership, and his forthcoming FLAME keynote on how ‘winning is fun’

Astronaut Tim Peake has set a new Guinness World Record for running a marathon in space

Obese people tend to see distances as being further than they really are, and hills steeper, according to research from the US

Huw Edwards, ukactive’s public affairs director, offers his thoughts on an exciting time for the activity sector

Growth plans have fuelled the rebrand of equipment supplier Anytime Leisure to Origin Fitness