It should be even more popular next year.
In its annual fitness trend forecast, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) predicts wearable technology will be the top trend in fitness in 2016.
“Wearable technology has overtaken activities like body weight training and high-intensity interval training to claim the number one spot in this year’s survey,” said Walter R. Thompson, the lead author of the survey and associate dean in the College of Education & Human Development at Georgia State University in Atlanta. “Consumer interest in fitness technology may signal that the low-cost, DIY exercise trend is waning.”
2,800 health and fitness professionals
The tenth annual survey sampled the opinions of more than 2,800 health and fitness professionals worldwide, many certified by ACSM. Among 40 potential trends, wearable tech to monitor health was the clear winner.
“Tech devices are now central to our daily lives and have changed the way we plan and manage our workouts,” said Thompson. “Wearable devices also provide immediate feedback that can make the wearer more aware of their level of activity and can motivate the user to achieve their fitness goals.”
Wearable tech was followed in the trend prediction by body weight training, high intensity interval training, and strength training.
Fashion accessory
Wearable technology incorporates a monitoring and tracking device into clothing and fashion accessories. Some track how far the user walks or runs, how many calories he or she consumes, and other features.
Fitbit is among the more popular wearable tech products. The Fitbit Charge allows you to view your progress, record workouts, log food, set sleep goals, and even earn badges, with the data stored within an app on your smartphone.
The Apple Watch also has a number of health features. The Activity app shows how often you stand up to take a break from sitting, how many calories you've burned, and how many minutes of exercise you've completed.