The UK fitness industry has reached a record market value of £5.9 billion between Q2 2023 and Q1 2024, with gym memberships rising 4.1 per cent to an estimated 10.7 million, according to a Leisure DB report. This surge, dubbed the 'pandemic bounce back', has driven demand for fitness trackers and smartwatches.
Global innovation consultancy PA Consulting reports that fitness trackers have become essential tools for monitoring routines and progress. The COROS PACE 3, priced at just under £220, is a lightweight (30g) smart sports watch endorsed by Olympians including Team GB's Alex Yee. It features next-generation optical heart rate and SpO2 sensors, dual-frequency GPS, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, 3D compass, thermometer, and breadcrumb navigation.
The PACE 3 connects via Bluetooth to the COROS app and other fitness platforms like Strava and Apple Health. It offers 38 hours of continuous GPS use (17 days without) and is water-resistant to 5ATM. The 1.2-inch touchscreen LCD display is bright and clear, suitable for all fitness levels.
For those seeking a simpler option, the Wahoo TRACKR Heart Rate Pod and Strap provides accurate real-time heart rate data via Bluetooth or ANT+ to gym equipment. The pod is IPX7 rated, and the strap fits chests up to 50 inches.
