Two key trends will shape the physical activity sector in 2017, says Kate Cracknell and they complement and oppose each other in equal measure: technology, driving an ‘always on’ culture, and a boom in mindfulness

Steven Ward, Executive Director of ukactive, is confident that 2017 will see our sector move forward at an increasingly fast pace

Are activity trackers a help or a hindrance when it comes to weight loss?

Physical activity trackers are more likely to motivate people to get physically active if coupled with wellness coaching – according to a new study published in the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health and Fitness Journal.

As Nintendo and Niantic continue to drip feed new features to maintain the popularity of Pokémon Go, the game’s creators have announced that its new wearable device will be released next week, while also revealing plans for an Apple Watch adaptation of the game.

Dr Melvyn Hillsdon investigates the impact that using activity trackers can have on membership retention

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.

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

There’s a new, more relaxed attitude among consumers in terms of loyalty, says Imke Schuller of The Futures Company

The fitness industry may be growing, but it needs to do even more to achieve future success. David Minton looks at moves in the private and public sector, and the need for all clubs to better embrace the power of social media

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.

Fitbit, the world’s biggest seller of wearable technology, is being sued in the US over claims that its heart rate monitors are inaccurate and place exercisers at risk.

Having been named the biggest fitness trend of 2016 by the ACSM recently, wearable tech is continuing to dominate proceedings at the annual CES technology show which is now underway in Las Vegas.

Three quarters of online consumers are likely to purchase health and fitness technology in the next 12 months, with a third of these expected to buy a smartwatch, according to new research from the organisers of global consumer electronics and consumer technology tradeshow CES.

Leisure industry analyst David Minton has warned that fitness businesses must take heed of technological advances and future-proof their business, or risk being wiped out entirely.

The world has gone wearable tech crazy over the past couple of years, but Jawbone CEO Hosain Rahman believes the future of health tracking will place gadgets inside the body.

The health club of the future will have to be more flexible and adaptable, says Imke Schuller of The Futures Company

Wearable tech giant Fitbit will float on the New York Stock Exchange later today (18 June) in one of the most highly-anticipated IPOs of the year.

VP and general manager EMEA for Fitbit, Gareth Jones, talks to Kath Hudson about motivating people through challenges and rewards

Research has cast doubt on the ability of existing technology to accurately track calories burned. But does pinpoint accuracy matter?

Through its mobile apps and website, Strava has created a global concept that’s inspiring people to get out and push themselves, both on their bikes and now also running

We’ve had smartwatches, smart glasses and even smart shoes. Now the humble skipping rope is the latest age-old object to be reinvigorated as a fitness-focused piece of wearable technology, with not one, but two companies currently crowdfunding to bring skipping ropes into the 21st century.

AMPY harnesses your own movement to charge your phone, as its co-founders explain

Fitbit activity trackers are to be used to measure exercise levels for a new study which aims to use the data to help calculate a patient’s recovery time from spine surgery.

trendwatching.com’s Vicki Loomes offers six consumer trends for the health and fitness industry to consider harnessing in 2015

A new pair of fitness tracking devices from heart rate monitor specialist Mio Global have been designed to set pulses racing by offering unprecedented levels of accuracy.

Six consumer trends to harness for business success in 2015

As the industry gathers apace, wearable technology will come to represent a new form of power dressing for business leaders next year, in the same way that shoulder pads dominated 1980s wardrobes.

No longer will your phone running out of juice be a problem: providing you are prepared to have a quick run. New gadget AMPY converts energy from motion into battery life to charge any USB-powered device.