A new report from InMedica The World Market for Sports-Performance Monitors forecasts that the market for strapless fitness/heart-rate monitors will take revenue share from the traditional chest-strap monitors, from 8.9% of the market in 2008 to 11.8% in 2012. As the market for strapped heart-rate monitors starts to mature, the growing number of healthy lifestyle consumers is driving the demand for easy-to-use strapless models.
As obesity levels reach epidemic proportions, government initiatives to improve the health of the public are becoming increasingly popular. The growing concern for the need for a healthier lifestyle is filtering down to the consumer level, encouraging a new breed of fitness enthusiasts to track their performance. Revenues for strapless fitness/heart-rate monitors are therefore forecast to more than double in size over the next five years, increasing to $87.5 million in 2012.
The rising number of healthy lifestyle consumers is expanding the customer base for sports-performance monitors and thus changing the structure of the market. Kelly Barritt, Market Analyst highlights that "With consumers ranging from top athletes to recreational sports participants, it is becoming simpler for new companies to enter the market. Many makers of low-end products are winning a share of the market by focusing on consumers pursuing an active lifestyle, by offering easy-to-use products that provide simple parameters to encourage exercise. This demographic is becoming an increasingly important target market for sports-performance monitor manufacturers".
