Within the past decade, we have witnessed the transformation of mobile phones from simple communication devices to complex smartphones that give end-users access to a range of information and functionalities. Subsequently, these smartphones played host to an ecosystem of tech innovations- including fitness tracking bands, wearable devices, and other fitness mobility solutions. In recent times, health and fitness apps have emerged as an option that helps individuals manage the need for fitness while accomplishing everything related with an app on their smartphone!
Not surprisingly, fitness applications are all the rage these days as healthy living is likely to stay at the top of a lot of people’s list of priorities, for ages to come. No wonder, the development of apps for health and fitness initiatives has truly taken a momentous step ahead. Combine that with the emerging technologies of AI and augmented reality, the future of this app building market is looking airtight and lucrative indeed.
However, how much is too much? Aside from the existing behemoths, is there a market for debuting fitness apps?
Versatility wins: Holistic approach towards health, and not just fitness
With a timely explosion in the apps ecosystem, consumers are privy to the best information and tools, by just firing up their handy smartphones. Realistically, to get the quality of advice that we now have free access to, you’d otherwise need an expert in fitness, nutrition, or sports. Thanks to fitness apps however, this is no longer the case today.
Fitness and health applications are on the move, literally, allowing people to track their daily steps, calories burned, hours of sleep and a myriad other metrics connected to performance and workout tracking. However, these apps are not just a boon for fitness enthusiasts; they are even beneficial in the healthcare industry for patients who are trying to overcome debilitating health conditions.
Fitness applications basically serve two types of functions. A) Bring together or record health-related data, which some applications share with the associated healthcare provider, and B) Provide access to health related information, such as nutrition data on foods, workout routines, healthy diets, etc.
In the age of pioneering technologies, it is not arduous to bridge the gap between a doctor and a patient while facilitating the option to monitor the latter remotely. And not just the doctors, these health and fitness apps are bringing together dietitians, workout trainers, and a range of other health professional under a single umbrella, thereby offering great value to any individual who is looking to better manage his/her health. Not just fitness!
Spoilt for choice: Innovation and easy functionality are key to sustained popularity
Well, app stores are flooded with fitness apps- with established names and rank disruptors present in equal numbers. From Fitbit to MyFitnessPal and Nike+ Training Club, there are a ton of similar apps existing in the market. However, not all of them find popular adoption amongst the target audience. Why? Because, most aren’t careful about the end-user’s specific requirements and need for simplified UX.
The health and fitness apps that will eventually triumph in such a crowded space are the ones that fit seamlessly and most conveniently into their end-users’ lives. In the race to beat the competition, vendors in the fitness app market are embracing innovative technologies like location-based contextual awareness that presents a broad picture of each activity throughout a user’s day. Meanwhile, app makers are working hard to include features and attributes that will render their apps popular and gain them the undivided attention of the target audience.
As identified by market experts at Technavio, Fitbit is currently the dominant player in this industry, with the brand witnessing the most number of downloads for its accompanying app. Innovations and constant upgrades to their products has kept Fitbit at the top of the proverbial heap. As fitness apps are becoming more sophisticated and people are becoming ever more reliant on their smartphones, it is unlikely that the growth of the global fitness app revolution will fizzle out anytime soon.
