By John Laposky On 2013-01-08 00:00:00

http://www.twice.com/magazine/news/health-fitness-technology-lengthens-stride-ces/104528

LAS VEGAS — Health and fitness technology products are one of the fastestgrowing segments of the consumer electronics industry and this year’s International CES reflects that trend.

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.

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.

Wireless technology and portable devices are two major drivers of the market. According to research by the Bluetooth SIG, more than 60 million sports, fitness and health monitoring devices with Bluetooth technology were expected to ship between 2010 and 2015.

According to Consumer Electronics Association’s latest research, more than half (55 percent) of U.S. online consumers used a fitness technology in the past year, an increase of 8 percent over last year, and more than one-third (37 percent) anticipate purchasing a fitness technology in the next 12 months.

According to the most recent CEA study, “Getting Connected with Emerging Fitness Technologies,” 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.

”Consumers already own devices 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,” said Tillmann.