By Kymberly Martin

With over 60s a developing market.

If you thought what advertising tells us, that wearable technology is only worn by the young and healthy, think again. New research has shown it’s seniors that are emerging as a major market for fitness tracking devices, joining baby boomers to take up health technologies. Walkers over the age of 60 make up the largest number of users of devices such as smart phone apps and wrist bands.

The Pureprofile survey of more than 1,000 Australians over the New Year holidays indicated that elderly exercises use these devices on average three times a week to track their steps while walking for fitness. The survey showed that walking is by far the most popular activity (53%), followed by gym workouts (17%), running (9%) and swimming (5%).

Australian retailers and tracking device marketers are all missing a major segment of the market by assuming it is only young people who want to use these technologies,  Pureprofile research consultant, Kym Penhall said.

“The idea that new wearable technology scares older people and that the devices are only worn by the young and healthy is not true.”

Walking is popular among people over 60 years of age, with 67 per cent stating it is their main activity, with 58 per cent of people aged 50 to 59 claiming it was their main exercise, while 46 per cent of respondents aged 19 to 49 years old said it was their main exercise.

“If you look at ads for these devices, they mostly focus on young fit people undertaking strenuous activities. They don’t ever acknowledge the concept of walking as an exercise to maintain a moderate level of personal fitness,” he added.

More than 90% of respondents were aware of devices enabling them to monitor their fitness activity, with close to half using their smart phones, a wrist device or both to monitor their movements.

The survey data shows 57% of walkers see merit in a smart phone fitness device and 56% see merit in using a wrist device.  More than 60% of walkers do not currently use a smart phone or wrist device to track their exercise and, of these, more than one-third would consider using one.

Fitbit was the most popular brand of wrist device followed by Garmin and the Apple Watch.