GPS and Fitness: A Niche Market Growing Fast

Author: Dominique Bonte, Vice President and Group Director, Telematics and M2M

Published: 12 Nov 2008

The use of mobile devices for fitness activities such as workouts, cycling, mountain biking, running, and walking has traditionally been limited to heart rate monitors and cadence measurement functionality to produce fitness statistics and energy consumption (calories burned) charts for people wanting lo lose surplus weight. Now there‘s something really new in the market. Established sport and fitness watchmakers Polar, Suunto, and Casio have included features such as electronic compasses, barometric altitude meters and even tachymeters for speed calculation as cross-over functionality into the outdoor navigation market. However, until lately, few sports watch vendors have attempted to integrate GPS-receivers in their products.

The full text of this Insight is available to subscribers of the Location Platforms and Enablers Research Service.

Contact a representative about service purchasing options.