Training Through Tech: Smart Fitness Technology To Sustain Health

It’s all online now. Work, interactions, buying, touring, playing, you name it, it has an online counterpart. A virtual alternative. So why not fitness? The ongoing pandemic has enforced lockdowns and quarantines and other isolation factors. It is important now, more than ever, to keep fit mentally as well as physically.

• The fitness segment revenue as of 2021, has reached $2,152 Million globally. 
• The CAGR of this segment is seen at 2.68%.
• The smart wearables market is growing at a CAGR of 38.35%.

Hi-tech Health

From wearables like the Apple Watch and smart bands to apps like FitTuber and Beer Biceps to even cooler innovations like wireless Bicycle helmets with 3D modeling functionalities, the fitness market was already pushing the limits.

AR fitness and outdoor fitness with integrated drones hit the market, AI-based personal trainers took the stage, and diet apps like Millie Fit catered to our nutritional needs. What was lacking was immersion.

An engrossing environment catering to personal fitness was still in its infancy. This brought forth exergaming. 

Exer-Gaming

Ever since VR seeped into our daily exercises, gamification has been the king. This innovation addressed a core issue: the tedium of constant gymming. With VR, the user could be virtually anywhere, doing practically anything.

For instance, instead of punching at a bag, the user could be immersed digitally into a well-known boxing arena weaving and dodging the oncoming punches of an opponent. This is exer-gaming, the attractive counterpart of exercising.

Let us take a look at 4 ways in which virtual reality and gamified gymming have changed the way people work out:

Related post: Virtual Reality (VR) in Sports Technology

1. It takes away the monotony

VR is fun. Being put into a digitally enhanced yet personalized environment and doing physical activities in a gamified mode, is fun. It is a viable yet productive distraction to the fact that one is working out, and keeping fit.

This can also be integrated into one’s traditional session and used as a warm-up. For instance, Box Fighter VR is an Android game developed using unity 3D game development that can be hooked onto any HMD and the user can box with opponents.

2. The spirit of competition

Workout is a competition. In a gym, you are in competition with your own body. 10 reps yesterday mean 12 reps today. But with VR and enabling internet on your device, you can be in actual competition with other players across the world.

For instance, Beat Saber is an online battling game. Coupled with VR, this puts you in front of your opponent where you use your physical prowess to beat them, not just finger movements, but actual physical maneuvers. 

3. Strategy and Synergy

An apt example would be boxing. Through VR, you can actually train as a boxer. This is just not throwing punches and anticipating defense. This becomes a fully-fledged technical approach to the sport of boxing.

Virtual coaches can assist you to master the technique. And online players can give you a practice session with no consequence of getting actually hurt.

4. Privacy

Trying out new things can be fed to the shyness of some people. With VR, you are in complete control of your surroundings and even more in control of the kind of pace you want to do an activity in. This helps build confidence and reduce the anxiety of trying out new exercises or attempting a new sport.

Summing Up

• The AR/VR/MR industry will see a jump to $30 Billion by 2030.
• Virtual fitness market is predicted to hit a 33.1% CAGR 
• Virtual fitness market will reaching a value of $59231 Million by 2027.
• The global fitness equipment market is seeing 4% CAGR rise, inching to $15,577 Million by 2027.

VR/AR/MR workouts can definitely act as an augment to traditional practices.  With smart fitness technology with tech milestones like the Oculus headset and the integrated Sony Playstation VR bundle, the fitness industry is looking to immerse itself into the virtual arena much deeper. 

At EDIIIE, we take a holistic application of virtual reality in healthcare. Our team of experts has a lot to say about the booming industry and the game-changing developments made possible through VR.

Stay tuned to EDIIIE to get more fascinating information.