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.

Microsoft is reportedly weeks away from launching its own smartwatch with fitness tracking features, expected to challenge existing offerings from rivals Samsung and Apple.

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.

PayasUgym, the online gym pass provider, has teamed up with British Military Fitness (BMF) as part of a concerted push into the outdoor training market.

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.

We round up some of the latest launches for your studio space

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

The NICE guidelines on exercise referral schemes are changing, but clubs should not be put off, says Stuart Stokes of Refer-all

Findings from the 2014 IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report

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?

CEO of ukactive David Stalker looks ahead to this year’s ukactive National Summit

How can you get more members attending more often and recommending your club to their friends and family?

One of the early adopters of the Gladstone MobilePro app explains how it has improved their business

Even so-called hard to reach groups have to use our streets, so that’s where we should start getting them active, says Kate Cracknell

mywellness cloud – delivering the ultimate digital workout experience for your members

Two new studies into children’s exercise look at why it matters, and how we can help ensure it happens

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

UK-based Mosaic Spa & Health Clubs is working with a charity in Uganda to rediscover the company’s mission. Ray Algar reports

How can health clubs better use the reams of data generated by their in-club software systems to make smarter business decisions? Kate Langrish reports

A look at a selection of initiatives designed to promote physical activity among children

Michael Oliver analyses the findings of Mintel’s 2014 Health and Fitness Clubs industry report

Inspired by his childhood in Africa, Amen Iseghohi launched a chain of back-to-basics gyms that use recycled tyres. He talks to Magali Robathan

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

Kath Hudson offers an overview of the groups and schemes pitching to help tackle the UK’s obesity crisis

A bottom-up approach to risk management can work for clubs, says Right Directions’ Gill Twell in her step-by-step guide

Manraaj Sunner offers his advice to health clubs looking to develop an effective social media strategy

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.

Plans are afoot for the release of a wearable smart-heated base layer to keep sports enthusiasts, outdoor workers and the general public warm during the winter months.

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".