Steven Ward, executive director of ukactive, gives his views on what’s in store for the UK fitness and physical activity sector in 2016 – including new technology, sector diversification and assisting with public health remits

TV presenter and fitness trainer Charlie Webster is to launch a series of live and on- demand running classes on Body.Network, the new streaming service for personal fitness training developed by celebrity trainer Matt Roberts.

Fitness First has announced it will invest £7.5m in a series of ‘Connected Fitness Labs’, which will combine professional trainer expertise with the latest fitness technology in a bid to create products which reach beyond the confines of the gym.

Oil giant Shell has built Africa’s first human-powered football pitch as part of a programme to inspire entrepreneurs with innovative energy solutions.

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.

It seems the word on everyone’s lips at the moment is beacons. Partly because it’s fun to say, but more so because these simple devices are being tipped as a potential gamechanger for the leisure industry.

Fitness entrepreneur Matt Roberts has launched a new on-demand digital workout channel which he hopes will become the 'Netflix for Fitness'.

Weight loss apps are no more effective in helping overweight people shed pounds than a paper flier from the doctor’s office, according to a new study.

Year-round exercise could be the key to fighting asthma, with the frequency of physical activity being more important than intensity, according to new research

Is it worth trying to get your members to visit more frequently? Dr Melvyn Hillsdon considers the likely impact on retention rates based on the TRP 10,000 survey

The new CEO of Barry’s Bootcamp talks to Kate Cracknell about growing its boutique club empire and building a global Barry’s community

Brands today must challenge their customers to do and be better – but how? Global trend agency trendwatching.com offers insights into how this might be achieved

Les Mills outlines five steps to creating the best cycle experience

This year’s new-look Leisure Industry Week had a strong focus on education. If you missed the keynotes, we have the low-down

The survival expert and TV presenter talks to Magali Robathan about the launch of his new BG Epic workouts and studio franchise model

In the first of a two-part series, Stephen Tharrett and Mark Williamson of ClubIntel investigate the influence of the internet middlemen in the fitness market

The Sears Institute for Anti-Aging Medicine, a 17,000sq ft (1,579sq m) facility in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, opened recently within The Sears Wellness Center.

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.

Randi Zuckerburg has been announced as a keynote speaker for IHRSA 2016 and will offer insight on the most exciting trends that can add value to a business.

In the future, the success of fitness equipment suppliers will depend on the strength of their software, rather than the physical kit itself.

Are your reception staff your most undervalued retention resource? Dr Melvyn Hillsdon investigates

Several international pilot studies look at the link between exercise and dementia across a lifetime

Is fitness testing in UK primary schools the answer to the ticking timebomb of childhood inactivity and soaring obesity rates?

For budget-conscious facilities looking to expand their customer base, virtual classes are still a largely untapped market – particularly in the children and families segment

Jak Phillips visits Olympian Daley Thompson’s new gym in Putney to see how he’s putting the fun and old-school values back into fitness

Win a trip to Australia to train with a top pro cycling team, courtesy of Running Unlimited

The former triathlon and Ironman world champion talks to Kate Cracknell about her new role as part of the team at parkrun

Jak Phillips visits Oxygen Freejumping in Acton and explores whether it can jumpstart the UK’s fledgling trampoline park market

Executive director of ukactive, Steven Ward, presents a sneak preview of the Flame survey findings, which will form part of the inaugural Consumer Insight report due this September

Extreme fitness challenges such as Tough Mudder have really captured the imagination of the public. So how can health club operators benefit from the trend?