健身行业新闻周报Week 41
Fitness Equipment Industry Weekly News – W41
1. Spanish Brand, Salter, expects turnover increase, driven by exporting
Salter, the Spanish fitness equipment company, is experiencing a significant shift in the bodybuilding machines industry. The CEO, Marta Salter, has raised the company's 2023 turnover forecast to €14 million, marking a 10% growth from the previous year, driven by a 25% increase in exports to key markets like the Netherlands and Sweden. Salter's success is attributed to a strong year in municipal gym contracts and partnerships with major retailers. They have also introduced Salter Cloud, a cloud-based fitness ecosystem. Additionally, a new product line is in the works for 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily boosted demand for home fitness products, but Salter's core focus remains on professional sports facility equipment, which now accounts for 60% of their sales.
2. Matrix Fitness Launches Facility 360 Asset Management Platform, Powered by Ecofit
COTTAGE GROVE, Wis. (October 3, 2023) — Matrix Fitness, a global leader in commercial fitness solutions, is strengthening its collaboration with Ecofit Networks by unveiling their innovative asset management platform, Facility 360 Powered by Ecofit, set to launch in October 2023. This cutting-edge platform offers enhanced integration for connected fitness equipment and leverages Ecofit's reporting capabilities for non-connected equipment. Matrix customers will gain access to comprehensive analytics and business insights, enabling them to streamline operations and maximize their return on investment.
Andrew Kolman, Vice President of Technology and Business Development for Johnson Health Tech, commented, "Ecofit's data capabilities provide unique value to customers that sets them apart from other asset management providers. Our deepened partnership and custom integration allow us to deliver top-tier solutions that empower our customers to efficiently manage their businesses."
The Facility 360 Powered by Ecofit platform utilizes a custom application programming interface (API) integration for connected cardio and strength equipment, along with proprietary hardware sensors for unconnected equipment. This combination gathers data to create a 360-degree view of the facility. Facility operators can access automated reports, receive detailed equipment maintenance alerts, optimize equipment placement, and make informed procurement decisions.
Dave Johnson, Founder and VP of Business Development of Ecofit Networks, emphasized the transformational impact of the partnership, stating, "Matrix's leadership in fitness innovation, combined with our strategic collaboration, will revolutionize asset management within the fitness industry. Importantly, this creates substantial value for our clients, who are forward-thinking in their quest for actionable insights."
Facility 360 Powered by Ecofit is now accessible to Matrix customers across the United States and is compatible with all connected cardio and strength equipment.
About Ecofit
Ecofit is a leading IoT provider in the fitness industry, offering real-time insights and automated data services using proprietary, long-range wireless technology and specialized sensors designed for fitness equipment data collection. Ecofit empowers facility professionals to efficiently manage fitness equipment and significantly enhance their ROI at their locations. Established in 2010, Ecofit has become a key player in the fitness industry's data expertise and has set the standard adopted by many of the world's leading fitness equipment brands.
3．UK's Lowest Investment in Physical Activity Among European Nations
Summary:
The UK lags behind other European countries in investing in physical activity, according to data from the Sport and Recreation Alliance (SRA). The UK spends the smallest proportion of government expenditure on recreation and sports in Europe and ranks 11th out of 15 European nations in terms of physical activity levels. This information is part of a report titled "Making the UK the Most Active Nation in Europe."
A coalition of sector organizations, including the SRA and UK Active, is urging political parties to commit to making the UK the most active nation in Europe. They highlight the financial and health benefits of increased physical activity, including saving the NHS £9.5 billion annually and generating £85 billion in economic value. The sector organizations believe that achieving the activity levels of European peers could lead to even greater savings, increased GDP, and improved well-being, potentially unlocking up to £1 billion in healthcare savings and £3.6 billion in GDP uplift, along with £77.2 billion in well-being benefits.
They are calling for a partnership with the government to harness the potential of physical activity to improve national health and productivity in the lead-up to the next General Election. CEO of UK Active, Huw Edwards, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the impact of physical activity on health and well-being and its contribution to the country's productivity.
4．Wahoo Fitness Shuts Down RGT Virtual Cycling App to Focus on Structured Training
Wahoo Fitness has announced its decision to close the virtual cycling app RGT, which it acquired in April 2022. The move is part of the company's strategy to concentrate on its "structured training content." In a statement, Wahoo Fitness explained, "Wahoo's mission is to 'build the better athlete in all of us' through our world-renowned KICKR smart trainers, ELEMNT bike computers, connected fitness products, and Wahoo X software." This software includes the structured training app SYSTM (formerly The Sufferfest) and the virtual cycling app RGT. The closure of RGT is scheduled for October 31, 2023.
Wahoo Fitness emphasized that this shift allows them to focus exclusively on enhancing their structured training content, which covers various activities like cycling, yoga, strength and mobility, running, swimming, and mental training. Their goal for Wahoo X is clear: "to deliver the absolute best training software to help you become stronger, fitter, and faster both on and off the bike."
We provide weekly news for fitness equipment and sporting goods industry!
Author:
The founder of FITQS/FQC
The columnist of magzine <China Fitness Equipment>
20 years in fitness/sporting equipment OEM/ODM technical, quality control and sourcing management.