[December 05, 2012]

One-Third of U.S. Consumers Plan to Purchase Fitness Technologies in 2013, According to CEA

More than half (55 percent) of U.S. online consumers used a fitness technology in the past year, and more than one-third (37 percent) anticipate purchasing a fitness technology in the next 12 months, according to new research by the Consumer Electronics Association (News - Alert) (CEA)^®. Getting Connected with Emerging Fitness Technologies shows the number of consumers who used a fitness technology in the past year increased eight percent from 2010. Results from the study were released today at the mHealth Summit.

According to the study, 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."

A wide variety of fitness technologies are available, from standalone devices to apps and programs. Pedometers remain the most popular health and fitness device, but fitness video games saw the most dramatic increase in usage, almost doubling from nine percent in 2010, to 16 percent in 2012. However, heart rate monitors and body mass index scales both saw a six percent decrease in usage from 2010.

"Wirelessly-connected devices have allowed for major strides within digital health and fitness," said Tillmann. "Consumers already own devices, such as smartphones, 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."

Nowhere will the growth in digital health and fitness technology be more evident than at the 2013 International CES (News - Alert)^®. With more than 215 exhibitors from health and fitness industries and more than 27,000 net square feet of exhibit space, the 2013 CES will see nearly 25 percent growth in health and fitness technology. Owned and produced by CEA, 2013 CES, the world's largest annual innovation event, will run Tuesday, January 8 - Friday, January 11, 2013, in Las Vegas. 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.

CEA's Getting Connected with Emerging Fitness Technologies presents the findings of a quantitative Internet survey conducted among an online national sample of 1,512 U.S. adults, ages 18 and over. The interviews were conducted from November 9-19, 2012. Please cite any information to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®. The complete study is available free to CEA member companies at members.CE.org. Non-members may purchase the report at store.ce.org.

Note to Editors: The official name of the global technology event is "International CES." Subsequent references to the show can be shortened to "CES." Please do not use "Consumer Electronics Show" to refer to the International CES.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $206 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES - The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org, www.DeclareInnovation.com and through social media: https://www.facebook.com/#!/CEAfeed, http://twitter.com/ceafeed, http://blog.ce.org/.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 2013 International CES
  January 8-11, 2013, Las Vegas, NV

• Economic Retreat
  March 8-10, 2013, Snowmass, CO

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