News
The stories that matter, explained for UK buyers — what happened, and why it's worth your attention.
FDA clears WHOOP blood pressure feature after year-long standoff
The US regulator has closed its warning letter against WHOOP's Blood Pressure Insights, ending a dispute that began in July 2025 — with implications for wearable health d
Amazfit Confirms Falcon 2 Leak as Brand Eyes Garmin's Crown
A code string buried in the Zepp app points to a Falcon successor, but the T-Rex Dual Solar has now emerged as the more likely candidate for Amazfit's final 2026 launch.
UK Safety Alert: Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 Battery Burn Risk
The UK product safety regulator has issued a formal alert over two Fitbit smartwatches that may overheat and burn users during normal wear.
Garmin Fēnix 9 arrives in the UK: titanium build, 3,000-nit screen
Garmin's flagship multisport watch lands with a simultaneous standard-and-Pro launch, satellite messaging, and a price held steady from its predecessor.
Garmin CIRQA Smart Ring certified — pre-Christmas launch signalled
A fleeting Indonesian certification filing has revealed a product Garmin insisted it wasn't making — and the timing points squarely at the holiday shopping window.
Garmin buys TrainingPeaks and TrainHeroic in fitness software deal
The GPS giant acquires two of endurance and strength coaching's most trusted platforms, raising questions about what happens to rival device users.
WHOOP vs Polar Lawsuit Moves to Full Litigation Track
Polar's dismissal bid has collapsed and the case is now heading for a full trial — here is what UK buyers need to know about the fitness band legal battle.
Garmin CIRQA Smart Band: Subscription-Free Whoop Rival on Sale
Garmin's first screenless fitness tracker lands in the UK at £179.99 — no monthly fee required.
Garmin Fenix 9 confirmed: Enduro 4 nowhere to be seen
Garmin launched the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro at its Play Harder livestream event on 25 August — but the long-awaited Enduro 4 was a no-show.
Amazfit Helio Strap Pro Launches With Two-Sensor Body Tracking
Amazfit's new dual-piece training system pairs an arm-worn heart-rate sensor with a waist-mounted motion pod to give HYROX athletes data that wrist trackers simply can't
WHOOP wins injunction against Polar lookalike — but Polar fight goes on
A US judge blocked sales of a Chinese copycat tracker, not Polar's Loop — but WHOOP's separate lawsuit against the Finnish brand is very much alive.
Concept2 StrengthErg goes on sale in UK in its 50th anniversary year
The Vermont-based erg maker has brought its air-resistance strength machine to British buyers for the first time, available now through UK retailers and its own website.
Garmin CIRQA Smart Ring leaks in official database — then vanishes
A one-day certification filing in Indonesia suggests Garmin is building a smart ring to sit alongside its CIRQA Smart Band — but the company has said nothing.
Screenless Tracker War: Five Bands Now Taking On WHOOP
Garmin, Google, Amazfit, and Polar have all entered the screenless fitness tracker market, giving UK buyers genuine alternatives to WHOOP for the first time.
WHOOP sues Polar over screenless band design in escalating wearable war
WHOOP filed a federal lawsuit against Polar in October 2025, claiming the new Polar Loop copied its signature faceless fitness band design.
Garmin Fenix 9 FCC Filing Confirms LTE and Satellite on Wrist
A regulatory filing dated 5 August 2026 reveals a Garmin smartwatch with LTE-M cellular voice and satellite messaging — pointing squarely at a Fenix 9 Pro inReach.
Amazfit Balance 3 and Balance Ultra Arrive With HYROX Sport Focus
Zepp Health's two new flagship watches bring faster processors, brighter screens, and dedicated HYROX race tools — and both are now available in the UK.
Hyperice Hypervolt 3 line launches with redesigned full range
Hyperice has overhauled its entire Hypervolt percussion massage range, with three new models offering more power, quieter motors, and larger attachments — now priced from
Garmin CIRQA Smart Band Arrives in the UK With No Subscription Fee
Garmin's first screen-free fitness band launched globally on 24 July 2026 at £179.99 — and it doesn't cost a penny more to use the core features.
Garmin Enduro 4 FCC filing points to late-summer launch
Regulatory clearance and an app teardown together suggest Garmin's next ultra-endurance watch is weeks away — but forget built-in satellite comms.
UK gym membership hits record 12.2m as fitness sector reaches £6.5bn
A new industry report shows 18% of UK adults now hold a gym membership — the highest rate ever recorded — as home fitness spending continues to climb alongside it.
Escape Fitness collapses into administration after 25 years
The Peterborough-based gym equipment supplier, which once claimed 70% of UK free-weight sales, has fallen into administration just months after selling its US arm.
Rogue Echo Rower confirmed as official CrossFit Games rower
Rogue's air-resistance rowing machine has dethroned Concept2 as the go-to rower at the CrossFit Games — and UK buyers can order one now.
Tonal launches monthly rental plan in first move under new CEO
Smart strength machine brand Tonal has unveiled a monthly rental programme, marking its first hardware subscription offer and new CEO Todd Bartee's opening strategic play
China Sets 10 New Gym Equipment Safety Standards From 2027
A sweeping package of mandatory and recommended standards covering treadmills, strength machines, rowers and more takes legal effect in October 2027 — and UK buyers will
John Lewis Opens AI-Powered Sport & Wellness Dept at Oxford Street
The retailer's multimillion-pound revamp brings gait analysis, AI fitness mirrors and recovery tech under one roof for the first time in the UK.
John Lewis launches fitness push backed by £800m investment
The department store chain is opening goal-based Sports & Wellness departments across four UK stores, bringing together gear, tech and expert services under one roof.
John Lewis launches fitness push with Northern Gym Equipment tie-up
The Manchester-based home fitness brand goes nationwide through John Lewis's online platform, as the retailer bets big on sport and wellbeing.
John Lewis: connected home fitness sales up 27% year-on-year
The retailer's new Sports & Wellness concept — already open at Oxford Street — backs a surge in demand for fitness trackers, recovery tech and home gym equipment.
REP Fitness launches dedicated Digital Strength division
The Denver-based equipment maker is building a new division to bring data-driven strength training insights to everyday gym users — with new capabilities set to arrive in
Dyaco — Maker of Spirit and Xterra Bikes — Pivots into AI Drones
The Taiwanese fitness equipment giant behind Spirit Fitness and Xterra has announced a sweeping move into AI-powered unmanned vehicles across defence, logistics, and agri
Garmin Cirqa launches in UK: screen-free, no subscription fee
Garmin's first new fitness band in four years ditches the display and the monthly bill — and it's already available on the UK high street.
Rogue Launches Air Rhino to Take On the Concept2 StrengthErg
Rogue's new plate-free flywheel trainer arrives in the UK at £597 less than its most obvious rival, with up to 1,200 lbs of resistance on tap.
Eleiko Named Official Kit Provider for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
The Swedish barbell maker will supply all competition, warm-up and training equipment for Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting at the Games, which open on 23 July.
Bowflex recalls nearly 4 million adjustable dumbbells over injury risk
Almost 3.85 million BowFlex SelectTech 552 and 1090 dumbbells sold since 2004 are being recalled after weight plates detached mid-use, causing broken toes, concussions an
Rogue Invitational returns to Aberdeen for third year running
The world's biggest CrossFit and Strongman event is heading back to P&J Live in October 2026 — but organisers have confirmed it will be the last time.