Travel back to 1994, and the first smartphone featuring email, calendar integration, faxing, and even touch screen entered the marketplace. Yet, Apple would really revolutionize the "smart" technology industry with the release of the iPhone.
Nowadays, all sorts of smart technology exist including tablets, bikes, TVs, and more recently, smart gym equipment!
Creating a comprehensive home fitness space has never been more convenient thanks to innovative fitness equipment boasting advanced technology to help anyone achieve their fitness goals.
What Does Smart Equipment Mean?
The term "smart” was originally coined as an acronym that stands for Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. But mainstream culture often considers gadgets and other equipment connected to the internet or artificial intelligence with application ability as smart technology.
At the least, smart workout equipment pieces are cutting-edge upgrades of their basic versions. At most, they are gear and machinery with ample tracking, monitoring, and now, guided capabilities.
Normally, these devices can perform a variety of functions such as:
• Tracking time
• Monitoring heart rate and/or oxygen saturation
• Counting reps
• Reporting calories burned
If that is not enough, the newest home gym essentials can come with holographic exercise classes! These are also accompanied by fitness instructors and comprehensive reports of fitness markers.
What Are Some Brands?
Like other smart devices, smart home fitness equipment elicited the domino effect. Wearable workout gear like the smartwatch and heart rate monitors set the stage. Then fitness, brands and companies capitalized by creating technologically-advanced jump ropes, mirrors, treadmills, stationary bikes, climbers, free weights, yoga mats, and so much more.
Depending on individual goals and preferences different equipment will serve users best. Some of the most well-respected and popular equipment brands include:
• Peloton Bike+
• Peloton Tread
• The Tempo Studio
• Echelon Reflect
• Hydrow
• The Tonal Strength Machine
• NordicTrack RW900 Rowing Machine
• NordicTrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill
• FightCamp Home Boxing Gym
• Interactive Fitness Mirror
• Bowflex VeloCore
Overall, there are smart gym brands capable of providing cardio workouts, strength training sessions, full-body workouts, and beyond.
How Can They Be Better than Traditional Workout Devices?
Fitness culture surely stepped up its game with the creation of smart home gym equipment. They harnessed the benefits of our highly technological society while incorporating the health benefits of moving as well.
With that being said, here are some of the major benefits:
• Comprehensive health reports
• Convenience
• Community support with other users
• Connectivity with multiple devices
• Guided classes
• Added accountability
• Progress monitoring and evaluation
A booming market, people are more willing than ever to invest in these pricey gadgets and machines because of the above points amongst other assets as well. Why?
For one, smart gym equipment is very interactive, allowing users to choose exercise programs from large libraries and then stream customizable workouts with verified instructors. It is like a built-in personal trainer right in the home!
Furthermore, many of the devices feature competitive leaderboards that can be beneficial in many ways. The leaderboards can incentivize the most competitive athletes and the community aspect of them can help motivate those who need a slight push or extra accountability.
What's more, smart equipment closely tracks progress over time, keeping detailed accounts of various fitness measures and markers. For some, this serves as their incentive. For others, this serves as motivation to push a little harder to achieve lofty goals.
If that is not enough, the most advanced apparatuses boast automatic adjustment capacity. This means little to no fiddling with knobs, buttons, or screens during the workout. They usually also support wireless headphones, heart rate monitors, and fitness applications to manage workout stats succinctly.
In short, their robust features and accommodations deem smart fitness equipment more functional and superior to their traditional counterparts.
One Downfall of Smart Gym Equipment
Unfortunately, the price tag of smart gym equipment often deters people from purchasing. The contraptions tend to range from one thousand on the low end to multiple thousands of dollars on the higher end.
Moreover, many of the machines like the Peloton Bike require monthly or yearly memberships, driving up costs even further. Not to mention, some of the apparatuses require accessories such as special shoes, mats, or applications. Assembly and/or installation fees might also be attached.
Yet, many of the contraptions listed above offer finance plans that ease the upfront cost.
Plus, research also shows that large investments actually elicit more participation, accountability, and results. So, this downfall can be morphed into a positive consequence depending on perspective.
The Bottom Line
Technological advancements have improved many traditional fitness appliances, making fitness more convenient, accessible, functional, and fun for a lot of people.
With their immense features and abilities, they can also serve as a solid incentive, extra motivation, and provide a virtual community. Although pricey, most users rave about and love their smart home gym equipment.
References:
Anderson K. What is smart technology? Petra. http://www.petra.com/blog/what-is-smart-technology/. Published November 20, 2018.
Bradford A. What to know about smart exercise equipment. Family Handyman. http://www.familyhandyman.com/article/about-smart-exercise-equipment/. Published July 21, 2020.
Douglas-Walton J. A study of fitness trackers and wearables. Hfe. http://www.hfe.co.uk/blog/a-study-of-fitness-trackers-and-wearables/. Published January 2, 2020.
Moscaritolo A. The best smart home gym equipment for 2021. PC Mag. http://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-smart-home-gym-equipment. Published October 20, 2020.
