applications will become more
prevalent than ever over the
coming years, they are not likely to
ever replace face-to-face contact.
‘Technology is not advanced
enough to replace the motivation,
service and relationship that comes
with the human interaction of
personal training or group exercise.’
Michael Cunico
The 80s were all about spandex,
leg warmers and aerobics. Chuck
Norris’ Total Gym was the most
iconic piece of fitness equipment
during the 90s, and the new
millennium saw health and
wellbeing find its way into the video
game industry thanks to the Wii Fit
phenomenon.
Like fashion, fitness is never stagnant
and there is always a new exercise
regimen or apparatus that takes
the limelight. As our world becomes
increasingly technology-based and
new gadgets are introduced every
other week, it seems the fitness
industry is heading for a digital
makeover in 2016.
While consumers are eager to
make use of such technology – 21
million Fitbit devices have been sold
since its launch – their knowledge
about overall health, fitness and
exercise, still falls short of industry
professionals. This is why Michael
says technology is only an addition
to the tools, which gym members
have access to.
‘People will have more access
to data and information… but
still have little idea about what is
required to “move the dial” on the
key information.’
The increased interest in health
via mainstream technology is also
predicted to create a general boost
of interest in the fitness industry.
Company Franchisor and Founding
Director of Plus Fitness, John Fuller
says ‘As personal fitness technology
becomes more “main stream”
cardio integration with media will
become less important as people
use their own devices to achieve
a far greater range of options
than integrated media solutions
With devices such as Fitbit and
the Apple Watch, it has become
increasingly easier for people to
measure and track their training
performance. Today’s consumer
can track their movement and
calories burnt, log food intake and
even monitor sleeping patterns.
Health and wellbeing is becoming
increasingly mainstream, thanks
to the abundance of these easily
accessible and increasingly
affordable fitness technology
devices.
National Fitness Manager of Fitness
First Australia, Michael Cunico
says while these types of tracking
12
John Fuller
WHAT’S NEW IN FITNESS - SUMMER 2015