Arlington, Va. — More than half (55 percent) of U.S. online consumers used a fitness technology in the past year, and more than one-third (37 percent) anticipate purchasing a fitness technology in the next 12 months, according to new research by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).
The report, “Getting Connected with Emerging Fitness Technologies,” shows the number of consumers who used a fitness technology in the past year increased 8 percent from 2010. Results from the study were released today at the mHealth Summit in Washington.
According to the study, 46 percent of consumers who do not exercise cite lack of motivation as the main reason for not exercising. For those who do exercise, the top reasons are to improve overall health (76 percent) and to lose weight (58 percent). The study found the primary benefits owners attribute to using fitness technologies are to stay motivated, monitor physical activity and make exercise more enjoyable.
“We continue to see technology play an increasingly important role in health and fitness,” said Kevin Tillmann, senior research analyst, CEA. “Fitness technology is empowering consumers to assess their fitness levels, set achievable goals, track progress and make exercise more rewarding.”
Pedometers remain the most popular health and fitness device, but fitness video games saw the most dramatic increase in usage, almost doubling from 9 percent in 2010, to 16 percent in 2012. However, heart rate monitors and body mass index scales both saw a 6 percent decrease in usage from 2010. Part of that decline is almost certainly the result of the wide availability of fitness apps.
“Wirelessly connected devices have allowed for major strides within digital health and fitness,” said Tillmann. “Consumers already own devices, such as smartphones, that are capable of being used for exercise and fitness. This year we saw considerable growth in fitness apps. This enables the devices we already own to turn into pedometers, accelerometers and distance trackers.”
The 2013 International CES will feature more than 215 exhibitors from health and fitness industries and more than 27,000 net square feet of exhibit space, a nearly 25 percent growth in health and fitness technology over last year’s show.
CES will run Jan. 8-11, 2013, in Las Vegas. Companies displaying health and fitness technologies will showcase their products in the FitnessTech and Digital Health Summit TechZones and conference tracks, as well as in the Silvers Summit TechZone.
CEA’s “Getting Connected with Emerging Fitness Technologies” presents the findings of a quantitative Internet survey conducted among an online national sample of 1,512 U.S. adults, ages 18 and older.
The complete study is available free to CEA member companies at Members.CE.org. Non-members may purchase the report at Store.CE.org.
