Nicky Jobson reports on all the news, excitement and product launches from this year’s Leisure Industry Week, which took place at the Birmingham NEC

Have you considered installing fingerprint access technology in your club?

Health Club Management recently revealed how online gym pass provider PayasUgym will soon begin testing Bitcoin, potentially paving the way for the cryptocurrency to become an accepted form of payment across more than 2,000 UK gyms in the PayasUgym network.

Black Eyed Peas superstar will.i.am is poised to make a surprise assault on the burgeoning wearable tech market with a “smart cuff” featuring fitness tracking software.

The number of people who own wearable tech in the UK is set to double in 2015 – from 6 to 13 per cent – as products make the leap from niche to mainstream.

Online retailer Amazon appears poised for a further push into the wearable technology sector, with the company poised to increase investment and staff at its secretive hardware operations unit Lab126.

Technology has the power to transform group exercise classes. We speak to operators who are putting the latest technology to good use

Vasper claims to reproduce the effects of intense anaerobic training in just 20 minutes. We report

As the economy improves, will fitness operators eye new markets or consolidate their existing bases?

David Hopkins, MD and founder of mystery shopping and research company Proinsight, on turning everyday insights into profits

Alison Bledge examines how the offshore industry is managing the wellbeing of its workers, and looks at a gym installed onboard the floating hotel Safe Scandinavia

Almost three quarters of 16 to 24-year-olds have used or hold an interest in wearable technology, according to new figures published by GlobalWebIndex.

The Rio 2016 Olympic Games Organising Committee has named US-based Dow Chemical Company as its official carbon partner. The committee announced that the partnership will result in "the most comprehensive carbon mitigation programme in the history of the Olympic Games".

Online fashion retailer Mr Porter has made moves to establish dominance in the wearable technology sector, with the website becoming the exclusive third-party retailer of Google Glass.

Online gym pass provider PayasUgym has continued its busy start to September by adding Everyone Active clubs to its growing network – which comprises more than a third of the UK’s 6,000 gyms.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is looking to continue research in partnership with an Australian developer to produce a reliable wearable sensor that can detect illegal bowling actions in the game.

Apple has finally pulled back the curtain on its long-awaited Apple Watch at a special launch event at the Flint Center in California, US, with the new device featuring a whole host of health and fitness-related functions.

Sepp Blatter has said a football TV referral system may be trialled in 2015, allowing coaches to challenge a referee’s decision for the first time ever.

Sony has taken a step forward in the battle to gain dominance in the wearable technology sector with the unveiling of its latest SmartWatch 3 at the IFA tradeshow in Berlin, Germany.

Pete Banbury looks at the future of fitness education and learning

Outlining the unique features of the Arc Trainer

How has Wattbike gained a foothold in both fitness and sport, and what lies ahead for the brand?

Kristen Walsh looks ahead to the European Congress, being held in Amsterdam from 16–19 October

Nicky Jobson looks ahead to the highlights in store for visitors to this year’s Leisure Industry Week

Which elements of the member journey are most linked to retention levels? Dr Melvyn Hillsdon outlines the findings of the TRP 10,000 report

Fitness tracking application RunKeeper has partnered with mobile reward service Kilp to give users gifts and brand samples when they reach their exercise goals.

Launches of wearables from tech giants such as Apple have the potential to revolutionise the fast-growing market and “reshape the way people think,” according to a new report.

American and Canadian tennis enthusiasts could soon get the chance to record metrics and data from recent performances to help improve their game, with Sony preparing to launch its attachable Smart Tennis Sensor early next year.

Batteries may soon be a thing of the past for low-power wearable technology devices, with the potential for energy to be generated from body heat and movement, plus ambient energy from the environment.

Nike has unveiled the world's first LED basketball court in Shanghai, China, a facility that has been created for basketball star Kobe Bryant to help train young players in Shanghai as part of Nike’s RISE campaign.