Does personal activity tracking impact on retention of gym membership? Dr Melvyn Hillsdon presents his latest research findings

The New York-based David Lynch Foundation helps people to overcome extreme stress using the power of meditation. Julie Cramer talks to co-founder Bob Roth

Apple’s new smartwatch will not be the instant “silver bullet” to destroy health clubs as some have predicted, rather it will be the subsequent refinement of the product which will have the biggest impact, according to leading industry analyst Bryan O’Rourke.

Health club operators and suppliers must take urgent action if they are to capitalise on the opportunities afforded by fitness technology, according to a team of industry experts.

Apple has finally unveiled its new smartwatch collection, which will range from US$349 (€324, £231) to US$17,000 (€15,800, £11,300) and is being hailed as a game-changer for the wearable tech sector.

Cardiologists who have developed a new formula to predict the likelihood of death based on a treadmill test, say fitness was the single most powerful indicator of death and survival, trumping important variables such as diabetes and family history.

Stinky armpits in gyms could soon be a thing of the past if Google is able to bring its latest patent to fruition.

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.

Drinks, nutrition, accessories and toiletries to drive secondary spend

Many gym operators are still falling short when it comes to catering for disabled people – but there are some positive cases where the industry is getting it right

Reinvention, repositioning, a return to growth? Kate Cracknell asks our experts what’s next for the mid-market after several tough years

What does the arrival of the Apple Watch mean for the gym industry? Technology expert Bryan O’Rourke offers his views

Study highlights a new treadmill test that identifies a person’s risk of dying

Who’s in the 20 leading fitness operators in Europe, and what have been the dynamics in market over the last year?

Focus Training MD Bob Ellis on delivering high calibre professionals that will shape a positive future for health and fitness

Does personal training increase member retention? Dr Melvyn Hillsdon offers insight and analysis based on his ongoing research

Olympic team pursuit gold medallist and England Rugby’s Tom Youngs explain why they use the Wattbike as part of their training regime

With Public Health England issuing a rallying cry about physical inactivity, how can the fitness industry help?

The new CEO of affordable fitness chain Pure Gym talks to Kate Cracknell about the need to shift the focus beyond the gym walls

There is much the health and fitness sector can do to build closer links with GPs – and with it boost the number of people being active – says Kate Cracknell

In her IHRSA 15 keynote, psychologist Kelly McGonigal spoke about the science of willpower and how the health and fitness industry can seek to harness it

We round up some of the latest news from the world of vibration training, including the launch of the VibroGym Evolution in the UK

What more can the health and fitness industry do to get people more active while moving from A to B? Kath Hudson reports

Ray Algar reports on the health club chain giving young homeless people a future, thanks to the legacy of Baron Carl Gripenstedt

Here come the girls – Matrix offers an overview of its initiatives to promote, develop and encourage women’s sport and activity

Using technology to measure, test and track performance has become an essential consideration for many operators. Wattbike outlines its latest innovations in this area

Physical inactivity is a major factor in lifestyle diseases like cancer and diabetes. Is it time for a top-down intervention to get people moving?

ukactive CEO David Stalker outlines plans to drive the skills agenda back to the top of the priority list

The new IHRSA Asia-Pacific report shows potential for growth in 13 markets across the region

What do health and fitness providers need to know before committing to an exercise referral scheme? We offer an overview of the key points to consider