Wearable tech, 'smart' clothing set to change how we work out

A woman works out in Athos sensor-equipped 'smart' clothing. (Athos)

Wearable technology is thought of by some as a weapon against weight gain and the path to fitness -- down to the last step counted. We're bringing you a look at what's to come in this exciting yet oversaturated market.

Bracelets vs. garments

The plethora of products available will lead to tugs-of-war between bracelets and clothing, and smart clothing could experience a price correction as Ralph Lauren's Polo Tech becomes available and other sportswear manufacturers join the market.

And yet, a merger between the two could be possible, for as the industry serves increasingly complex sports such as swimming -- in which a bracelet is all but necessary to check the number of laps completed -- embedded fabric sensors could monitor the muscles and communicate with a bracelet.

Increased platform compatibility seen in 2014 suggests that the above is an entirely likely scenario.

It is even possible that old favorites such as Jawbone, Misfit, Withings, Garmin, Fitbit, Basis or Body Media could start banging on the door of start-up smart sportswear manufacturers like Athos, whose wearable clothing is due to ship in 2015.

Sport-specific tracking

Wearables are also likely take on the challenge of a market that's becoming increasingly sport-specific.

That's right, start-ups such as Glassy Pro, whose surfing wearable is due to ship in 2015, and venerable sports lifestyle brands such as Rip Curl are creating products that embody one specific passion -- in this case surfing.

Examples have emerged in sports such as tennis, golf, rowing and soccer, and Wilson will unveil a smart basketball in 2015.

Variations in how athletes in different sports prefer to access their data will leave the market open for innovation and, of course, room for more platform compatibility.

New frontiers

Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, the wearable tech industry should be credited for bringing front and center some oft-ignored aspects of well-being.

Like sleep. Like stress. Like anxiety.

A sort of do-it-yourself electroencephalography is taking shape as the stress-reducing pick-me-up Muse headband enters the market.

Muse is to lead a parade of much-hyped gadgets scheduled for release in 2015 that include Thync and Olive for stress reduction and the revolutionary sleep mask NeuroOn, which promises such efficient sleep that it can add an extra day to your week.

The year to come will tell whether wearable technology can accomplish everything it hopes to and if it can, it's likely consumers will increasingly associate fitness with much more than counting steps.