Wearable technology is No 1 fitness trend for 2016

Wearable technology provides immediate feedback to people during their workouts.[Photo/Xinhua]

Nearly 3,000 health and fitness experts worldwide have voted wearable technology as the number one fitness trend of 2016.

The trend list also includes high intensity interval training and yoga.

The American College of Sports Medicine forecast that wearable technology would be the number one fitness trend for the New Year after the institution interviewed 2,800 professionals worldwide.

Wearable technology includes fitness trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors and GPS tracking systems.

They provide immediate feedback to people during their workouts.

Doctor Cynthia Thaik with the College of Sports Medicine says wearable devices are great tools to help people maintain an optimal heart rate during their workouts.

"Typically when we talk about exercise and the target heart rate we want to have patients' figure their peak heart rate which is basically 220 minus their age so if you're a 70 year old gentleman, then your 100 percent heart rate would be 150, then from there you pick anywhere from 60 to 80 per cent of that to achieve and then sustain over a duration of time."

High-Intensity Interval Training, which began gaining popularity last year, is also on the list of popular fitness trends.

Made up of short bursts of activity followed by a short rest or recovery, it can usually be completed within 30 minutes.