Having been named the
biggest fitness trend of 2016 by the ACSM recently, wearable tech is continuing to dominate proceedings at the annual CES technology show which is now underway in Las Vegas.
This year’s event features the largest exhibit floor in the show’s 49-year history, with 2.4 million square feet of exhibit space showcasing more than 3,600 companies, including a record 500 startups.
Wearable tech has become an increasingly prominent aspect of the show in recent years – largely driven by fitness trackers – and 2016’s event has continued that momentum.
So far, Fitbit has made headlines with FitBit Blaze, a new smart fitness watch designed to balance fitness and style – viewed by many as the company’s attempt to stave off competition
from the Apple Watch. In addition to Fitbit’s usual activity tracking technology, the watch can take calls and texts from a nearby smartphone and has been given a style upgrade to ensure the device doesn’t look out of place with either gym kit or evening wear.
There is also a high-profile launch from Casio, which is debuting its smartwatch powered by Android Wear – the first watch with a built-in microphone that is water resistant up to 50m (164ft) and features a dual layer display structure that meets US military standards. In addition to activity tracking, the watch boasts a range of sensors for the outdoors life which can detect altitude, air pressure, compass direction, tide graphs, sunrise and sunset times.
Elsewhere, Technogym is showcasing what it has described as “the world’s first music interactive treadmill”. By connecting either to Technogym’s Mywellness cloud app or through the Technogym UNITY console found on its cardio training equipment, users are able to access their music and receive personalised soundtracks which match the rhythm of their workout.
Meanwhile, MyZone CEO Dave Wright took part in a panel discussion on sports wearable data credibility at the FitTech conference on the opening day of CES.
“Keeping people motivated and data intuitive and easy to digest is key,” Wright said, on a day when he also welcomed basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal to the MyZone stand, where the company is showcasing its new MZ-3 heart rate tracker.
CES 2016 runs from January 6-9. Stay tuned for more updates from the show as they happen.
