Sportswear brands jumping on fitness apps bandwagon

Washington

ALONGSIDE sneakers, gym shorts and yoga pants, sportswear brands are adding one more must-have to their list of products: workout apps.

Unlike Nike, which has been developing its own running and sports apps for years, rivals have taken to acquiring startups to stay relevant among gym rats who want to quantify their every step, jump and calorie burned. The latest is Asics, the Japanese apparel maker that said it acquired Runkeeper last week for US$85 million.