With many clubs are looking for new ways to increase secondary revenue, particularly within group exercise classes, Suunto are planning to launch a new range of heart rate monitors later this year.

Designed specifically for the health club market and with a focus on general fitness and health, the watches will have built-in guidance and recommended recovery periods based on fitness industry guidelines.

According to Steve Newell, the business development manager at Suunto, club members' willingness to purchase additional services will largely depend on what pricing model the club is operating and the quality of its classes.

However, clubs' retail sales of personal heart rate monitors has been seen to rapidly increase once its members have been sold on the benefits of heart rate training and they're consequently more willing to invest in a personal monitor for use in their everyday training. (See Group Exercise feature, Health Club Management magazine, April 2010 p36 for more)