Do wearables pose a challenge to the health club industry

Do wearables pose a challenge to high-end gyms.Resolving to get fit in the New Year is nothing new, but turning to smart devices for exercise advice is a growing trend, one that’s posing a challenge to high-end gyms.

With so many do-it-yourself digital training devices on the market, some question whether personal trainers and gym memberships will suffer from digital assistants offering fitness tips with the click of a button.

Smart devices that prod users to get off the couch and burn calories are becoming big business. Global shipments of wearable fitness devices are projected to have come in at 70.2 million units last year, according to Gartner, with other estimates projecting it to be a $30 billion market by 2018. Smart wristbands made up the largest segment with about $20 million in shipments.

There are more players piling into the market for fitness-oriented devices like Jawbone, Fitbit, and Nike‘s Fuelband. On-demand streaming workout providers such as IAC Interactive‘s Daily Burn are also bringing guided exercise into the home. Underscoring how influential the segment has become, wearables and home fitness devices were