The fitness industry is constantly changing as new products and ideas are introduced every single year. Recently, Orlando residents got a sneak peek at some of the latest and greatest inventions that are soon to hit the market.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the 2016 International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association trade show took place over two days at the Orange County Convention Center.
More than 380 exhibitors descended upon Orlando for the convention to showcase their newest products, which ranged from exercise equipment to body measurement trackers. The fitness industry rakes in approximately $24 billion per year in the U.S., and companies use this convention to get their piece of this lucrative market.
The trade show is one of many prominent conventions held in Orlando each year, drawing people from all over the country. While Orlando isn’t nationally known as a trade show destination, about 50% of the largest 200 shows in the U.S. take place in Las Vegas, Chicago, or Orlando.
One of the most notable trends in fitness today is technology, and this was on display at the convention. As more consumers desire constant updates on their heart rate and other body measurements, companies are shifting away from exercise machines in favor of real-time tracking devices.
“I took the science of the human body and put it together in a nice package with a bow on it,” said Ellen Latham, founder of South Florida-based Orangetheory Fitness. Latham’s company hosts group fitness classes in which members can track every aspect of their health during a workout, and its success is built upon delivering this instant feedback.
Another tech savvy fitness company, Styku, showcased a product that uses infrared light from a Microsoft Kinect motion sensor to assess body fat, fat-loss projections, and caloric expenditure. Many fitness experts believe that these types of advanced body measurement products represent the future of exercise equipment.
“We’re becoming such a data-driven society,” said Jason Delevan, chief operating officer of Styku. “Fitness is being gameified.”
This technology has now advanced to the point where schools can afford to buy these devices in mass quantities. As Mashable reported, many U.S. schools will soon begin testing Adidas fitness trackers to create personalized fitness goals for certain students.
As for the recent trade show, there were also several examples of exercise equipment that are tech-free. One exhibitor showcased a free weight that resembled a sand-filled beanbag, while another created a treadmill that doesn’t even require electricity.
