Fitness Friday

The Science Behind Fitness Fashion

Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology have further determined why some smart fitness devices fail on the open market and why others thrive.

In a market saturated with fitness devices, it's only natural that some devices fail while others are extremely successful. Devices such as the Fitbit and Apple Watch have done extremely well, while other fitness devices such as Under Armour's smart watch haven't done quite as well as their competitors. Because of the enormous cost that goes into making these devices, marketing teams spend a vast amount of time making sure that the device fits the popular aesthetic and technology trends of the release period. Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology had the same questions as those marketing teams and tried to figure out what makes certain devices so appealing. The team studied what features and attributes of the Google Glasses and Sony Smartwatch were appealing to some and unappealing to others. 

The researchers used two groups (one made up of staff and the other made up of university students) and found what the different groups liked about the devices and what they didn't. Common attributes that both groups looked for in the devices were the device's look and feel, brand value, and common attribute values such as image and cost. The researchers ultimately concluded that fashion, privacy aesthetics, and look and feel need to be taken into consideration when designing and marketing the products. Understanding these factors in a targeted demographic will ultimately help spur a successful launch of a smart product.