The past year, between quarantine and isolation, some people were able to make the best out of a bad situation. People used this past year to learn a plethora of new hobbies or skills, but one surprising new activity that saw an increase in members and followers was dieting and exercise. Despite gyms being empty and abandoned for the first few months of the pandemic, this field has seen a major rise in popularity. Given the rise in participation, while gyms closed their doors, it is no wonder smart fitness technology has boomed in recent months. Available as a wearable, or at home, this tech can range from apps to accessories and digital personal fitness trainers who guide you through an entire at-home workout routine (with tools included!). No matter your preference, someone has thought of it. Despite the record sales attributable to the pandemic, you can be sure this fitness fad is here to stay. Whether or not you can transmit a virus, no one likes the trek to the gym, and in an age of convenience, those that make it easier and more accessible will succeed.
To find lifestyle fitness integration you don’t have to search very far. Popular smartwatches, or watches made specifically for fitness like the Fitbit, offer health services to ensure you’re at least getting up from the couch. Need to track your sleep, calculate your blood oxygen levels, or guarantee your heart rate is raised while on that run… it’s all available at your fingertips. Popular brands include the Apple Watch, the Garmin Forerunner, the Samsung Galaxy Watch, the Amazon Band, and many more. In conjunction with these wearables are recent apps that have entered the market promising numerous fitness classes on demand, improved mindfulness and meditation, and better sleep. No matter your fancy, these apps provide instructions on how to get active and how to stay healthy using a range of personal trackers meant to supplement your fitness goals.
The exercise tools mentioned above are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to at-home fitness options. If you’re willing to spend a hefty penny, some companies will bring the gym to your home. Tonal for example is leading the charge with innovation and an understanding of their customer base. Tonal is a strength-training apparatus that relies on novel electromagnetism resistance technology and machine learning to act as an all-in-one workout. With no weights needed, it comes with a sleek wall-mounted monitor, a bench, and a few resistance ropes: then you’re ready to break a sweat. Other smart fitness brands offer bikes (Peloton), easy-to-use and easy-to-store weights, and treadmills. All with their own classes and fitness guides; for a fee of course.
The smart health craze might have dwindled with the re-opening of gyms, but that doesn’t mean it’s going anywhere. Fitness go-ers will always despise the ride to and from the gym, and there is a new population interested in their personal health and wellness. So, it is unlikely that virtual fitness trainers will have to worry about losing their job.