In the past, Annika Kapur frequented the gym five or six days per week.
The coronavirus pandemic then broke out. She started using Tempo Studio when stranded at home. The fitness machine, which costs close to $2,000, has a 42-inch monitor, space for 16 weight plates, and a 3D sensor that provides feedback on form to users. Check out the best gyms in Bangkok if you’re looking for a good one.
I thought, “Wow, I never need to go to the gym again,” for the first month, according to Kapur.
Not a fan of weightlifting? You may purchase smart rowers, boxing gloves, mirrors, kettlebells, and even vertical climbing equipment if you used to be a gym rat. And of course there is Peloton, whose recent release of a new treadmill and workout cycle resulted in sales that were up 172 percent from the previous fiscal quarter.
Gyms and other fitness centers are also having trouble.
Since the pandemic started, YogaWorks’ sites in New York City have been permanently closed, and both 24 Hour Fitness and Gold’s Gym have requested bankruptcy protection.
And they are big chains, which are often more equipped than a tiny, independent studio to survive a pandemic.
Some folks have valid reasons for being afraid to go the gym.
Cleaning exercise equipment with disinfectant is insufficient to keep individuals safe.
Henry F. Raymond, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, stated, “I would be more concerned about how long minute respiratory particles persist in the air.
Raymond advises finding a gym that prioritizes safety measures.
That might entail establishing crowd restrictions and placing machines at least 6 feet apart.
Even yet, some people won’t feel secure exercising inside until a vaccine is made accessible.
And that presents a chance for tech firms.
The future of exercise
Consumers may have purchased treadmills and exercise cycles in the past only to have them transformed into locations to hang laundry. Why should this latest generation of gadgets differ?
Users can initially often download and view fresh stuff. They have the ability to track their progress. Additionally, they can receive advice from both human and AI trainers.
That makes it far more enticing and interesting for end consumers, according to Jonathan Collins, director of smart home research at tech industry research company ABI Research. It’s not just a piece of equipment that sits in the corner; they will actually use it. Kapur, a mother of two from San Anselmo, appreciated Tempo’s interactive challenges and leaderboards since they allowed her to compare her achievements with those of other users. “I was probably using the machine for an hour and a half a day when I initially bought it,” she added.
“I would willingly attempt three or four lessons and stand in front of it for hours.”
Users are kept interested and their subscription fees coming in with new programs and workouts.
Owners of Tempo are expected to invest an extra $39 per month for a membership, which entitles them to live and recorded sessions as well as the company’s AI trainer, after shelling out about $2,000.
The monthly fee for Peloton’s all-access membership is $39 as well.
The price for Mirror is the same
These monthly costs mount up, but they’re equivalent to gym dues, which in major cities may be over $100 per month. There are less expensive choices available. For instance, Apple’s new Fitness+ costs $9.99 a month and “only” calls for an Apple Watch Series 3 or later. And many exercise apps can be used without any equipment at all. Sales of intelligent fitness equipment could increase if COVID-19 persists (and there are many grounds to think it will do so for some time).
There are numerous ways in which technology could advance
Collins opined that future fitness equipment would function more effectively when combined with other smart home gadgets. When someone is working out hard, imagine an exercise bike connecting with Nest to lower the temperature. Or a smart mirror that can control a smart speaker to play the ideal music for a digital HIIT workout.
Obviously, those who reside in compact city flats (hello!) lack the space necessary to construct a full-fledged smart home gym. However, they can be set up in a garage or unoccupied bedroom in the suburbs.
This does not imply that yoga centers and gyms are doomed. The human species is a sociable animal.
Going to CrossFit is often as much about making friends as it is about becoming jacked for many folks. The issue with virtual trainers is that you may pause them and leave the room.
After some time, Kapur stated, “I started to feel like I need someone staring at me, since I’m cheating now. She would stop working out to check her phone. Or perhaps she would not squat as deeply as she would if her peers or a real instructor were present. She therefore intends to keep the Tempo Studio and utilize it roughly three times per week while going back to the gym.
The future of the market for smart treadmills, stationary cycles, and other gadgets is promising.
However, not even the most sophisticated algorithm can equal a critical friend’s ability to inspire.