New Report 'Home Fitness Equipment in Europe 2006' Reveals That Majority of Fitness Sales in 2005 Were Cardiovascular Products with a Share of 69.5%.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c38886) has announced the addition of Home Fitness Equipment in Europe 2006 to their offering.

The total home fitness market in Western Europe increased by 5.0% in value in comparison to 2004. The increase was higher in quantity, reaching 5.8%. Some general social trends and economic factors are indicating accelerated market growth in the near future:

Within the last few years, visits to fitness clubs have become an increasing part of everyday life in Western Europe. Thus more and more consumers are familiar with fitness and the various types of equipment, which stimulates the purchase of fitness equipment for home use.

At the same time, price-conscious consumers are recognising that the purchase of home fitness equipment is cheaper in the long run than the fees payable at most fitness centres. Additionally, disposable income has decreased because inflation and living costs have risen more than the wages of most occupational groups. Unemployment or the fear of job loss has risen in Western Europe. Hence, to reduce expenditure, an increasing amount of former fitness members will switch to doing fitness at home. The majority of fitness sales in 2005 were cardiovascular products with of a share of 69.5% and the rest were diverse strength systems for home use, such as benches and multi stations. The Top 5 - Icon, Kettler, Nautilus, Johnson, and the Accell Group with its brands Tunturi and Bremshey, account for over 47% of the Western European market. Apart from the top players in the home fitness market, there is a large range of small local heroes. Market concentration is rising within Europe. In 2004, the Top 10 accounted for a market share of 54.0% in value. This percentage climbed to 56.2% in 2005 and the trend is expected to continue. In addition, cheap products from the Far East are congesting the market. Thus, the risk of takeovers is rising, particularly for the smaller producers in Europe.

Home Fitness Equipment in Europe is a regularly edited study and provides essential information for national, European and international markets. The annual edition gives you the possibility of controlling the effects of your marketing and sales efforts. The collection of primary data with all top-producers enables our customers to define their position in the market in relation to their most important competitors.

Countries Covered: Germany, Austria & Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain & Portugal, Benelux, UK & Ireland, Northern Europe

The Companies Mentioned inside the report include:

--Accell Group (Tunturi)

--Amer Sports (Precor)

--BH Fitness - Exercycle

--Body-Solid

--Carnielli

--Cybex

--Daum

--Gervasport

--Hammer Sport AG

--Icon Health & Fitness

--Intervap

--Johnson

--Heinz Kettler GmbH & Co KG

--Life Fitness

--Metalsport

--Multiform

--Nautilus

--Panatta Sport

--Salter

--Sapilo

--Startrac

--Technogym

--Teuwsen Sportgerate

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c38886