M&F and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
While fitness may seem separate from advancements in technology, new developments have made it easier to approach one’s goals. Disruptive technology has led to the common fitness equipment of the modern day, and recent changes are poised to find ways of aiding the fitness journey once again.
Fitness is connected to artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, and education technologies at the least—even Bitcoin price trends have had an impact on the fitness equipment market. Technology may not be at the root of a fitness journey, but countless advancements have contributed toward building an easier path forward.
Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches
One of the most popular technological developments in recent years has been the wearable fitness tracker or smartwatch. Popularized by Fitbit in the 2010s and largely overtaken by Apple, fitness enthusiasts and hobbyists alike have used these wearable devices to track their daily steps, monitor their heart rate, and keep an eye on calories burned. Reminders and goal-setting features help to gamify a workout plan and encourage consistency.
Smart Gym Equipment
When thinking of the gym, “smart” might not be the first thing you look for in your equipment. Integrated AI or predictive algorithms might seem like an inconvenience at first, but these advanced machines have some unique benefits. AI-powered exercise machines have the potential to provide form correction in real time, create interactive workout experiences, or provide the user with on-demand fitness classes from the machine.
Gamification and Social Motivation
Modern gym equipment and fitness tracking devices often include elements of gamification, which have been shown to create immersive and interactive experiences that encourage motivation. Whether it’s a dose of healthy competition or a distraction from the difficulty of a workout, gamification could be just the extra boost of motivation you need to keep a workout plan going.
Fitness challenges, leaderboards, and reward systems encourage consistency on a gamified device, while community support can be found in groups associated with the product or the game. This way, social media can serve as another positive force in a user’s fitness journey. Motivation is key to making real, consistent progress, and these methods are effective ways to achieve engagement.
“Fitness apps started integrating game elements to challenge their users and keep them motivated to exercise,” Alexander S. Gillis wrote for TechTarget. “2016 saw the release of Pokemon Go, which motivated people of multiple generations to exercise by using the augmented reality (AR) app to explore their surroundings.”
Fitness Apps: Workouts, Nutrition, and Recovery
Both the smartphone and smartwatch have led to the popularity of fitness apps, which include similar reminder and goal-setting features alongside a variety of workout programs. Whether a user is hoping for long-term weight loss, muscle gain, or increased endurance, there’s probably an app for that. Of course, several modern apps are incorporating AI to ensure a personalized experience.
Apps are also popular for helping users track calories and maintain proper nutrition. Whether encouraging users to record their meals or integrating with a user’s smartwatch, these apps help to break down calorie intake and keep users accountable to themselves. Based on what these apps suggest, users can develop personalized meal plans to meet their fitness goals.
Recovery is a part of fitness that often goes ignored, but the right fitness app can help a user make the most of their downtime. Several apps work in conjunction with smartwatches and other smart devices to monitor sleep quality and recovery, and plenty of devices are available for muscle recovery. Sleep is a key factor of fitness, so using an app to learn what helps you sleep well can go a long way.
Fitness apps can be a great way to measure fitness on a budget, especially if personal trainers and nutritionists are outside of one’s price range, which they often are. Advancements in technology aren’t just making it easier to workout; they’re making fitness as a whole more accessible.
Online Coaching and a Virtual Personal Trainer
Coaching has always been a big part of self-improvement, with coaches and trainers serving as mentors and cheerleaders along an individualized fitness journey. In the modern age, anyone looking to improve themselves can gain access to a personal, professional trainer through online platforms.
Even AI-powered virtual trainers are gaining prominence, with both options ensuring a customizable workout plan and real-time feedback. As compared to in-person training, online and virtual options balance convenience and affordability far more effectively. If someone can’t afford either virtual option, they can even turn to more generalized YouTube videos for free instruction.
Technology and the Workout
Technology isn’t going to build your muscle on its own—not yet, anyway. That said, countless advancements are actively making it easier to start a fitness journey and see it through to the end. Whether it’s a push day workout or you’re taking a moment to recover, there’s an app or device to help you optimize the process and make the most of your day.
M&F and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
