GOING DIGITAL TO STAY FIT

Ruwandi Perera considers the benefits of working out in a virtual light

According to Statistica, global revenue from the digital fitness and wellbeing market will exceed US$ 65 billion this year with an annual growth rate of over six percent.

The concept of digital fitness does sound like an oxymoron since fitness is generally associated with improving physically. Yet, like all other aspects of living, fitness, working out and going to the gym (gyming) have also got on the digital and AI bandwagon – they can be accessed on mobile apps, online platforms and virtual trainers. Users can get fit, access workouts and stay active from the comfort of their homes, offices and more.

The simplest and most commonly used forms of digital fitness are perhaps fitness trackers, smart watches and the apps linked to them. They help set goals and track success, while being in control of body measurements, heart rate and body fat percentage.

You may have heard of on demand fitness classes where users can access livestreamed workout sessions or do it on their own time with prerecorded programmes. There are also virtual trainers. Some are avatars who will interact with and guide you through the sessions; others are humans and they can be reached via video calls either individually or as a group.

Then of course, there is the world of smart fitness equipment where devices ranging from treadmills and bikes, to home gym systems and smart yoga mats, use technology to personalise fitness programmes, guide workouts and track performance.

And if it is AI powered equipment, it’ll take care of your seat height and handle preferences, your range of motion, and even your endurance and stamina as you work out.

In some gyms, which have digital and artificial intelligence in their equipment, there are even leaderboards for users to have fun competing with other members, all in the name of improving fitness levels.

The most magical of them are probably smart fitness mirrors; not only can you see yourself as you work out but you can also work out to a programme tailor-made for you. These mirrors give you a complete workout and aren’t bulky, heavy or need to be hidden away. When they’re not being used, they can be part of your interior decor.

Smart fitness mirrors often have oversized touchscreens that come to life when you want to exercise. They are also equipped with many builtin programmes that range from cardio, endurance, strength and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), to barre, Pilates and even yoga.

Most of these mirrors are now embedded with AI technology. This helps keep track of health history including but not limited to nutrition, illnesses, stress levels, sleep habits and even occupation. And users will be either linked to a suitable personal trainer or provided with a customised programme, depending on individual objectives.

Brands such as Peloton, Nike Training Club, Fitness Fables, Tonal and NordicTrack keep the digital fitness sector alive, while simpler more humble tools such as YouTube, Zoom and MS Teams are keeping it accessible to all.

And people love it!

The pandemic did a lot of things for us; it even got people excited and encouraged to work out at home.

While some of us may continue to use the once popular treadmills and home gyms as glorified clothes racks, the attitudes of people are rapidly changing towards getting fit.

Using the services of a digi­tal gym comes with myriad benefits. It’s convenient be­cause you can do a workout anytime – be it at 3 p.m. in the afternoon or 10.30 p.m. at night. And though it’s rather expensive, it is cost effective in the long run when one considers traditional gym memberships, transport costs, workout clothes etc.

The ability to personalise your workouts is another plus. Many digital platforms now combine the power of AI to provide users with customised training plans, provide feedback on progress, and even guide them on nutrition and pre and post-workout activities.

Engaging and personalised workouts, performance tracking and expert advice are the benefits that digital brings to the fitness space. With a range of programmes and workout styles at our fingertips, digital ‘gyming’ is ideal for those who dislike visiting a gym.