Smart home gyms: Are independent and digitized workouts here to stay?

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• September 27, 2022

Insight summary

Smart home gyms blend technology with fitness, offering personalized workout plans and performance tracking through various sophisticated devices. These gyms provide an accessible and efficient alternative to traditional fitness centers, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 lockdowns, though they face challenges like high costs and dependency on internet connectivity. The industry is evolving with innovations like artificial intelligence (AI)-driven equipment and expanded accessibility, raising questions about data privacy.

Smart home gym context

A smart home gym is equipped with interconnected technology, allowing users to track their workouts and performance data. Some workout devices allow users to track their progress over time while delivering customized suggestions, making it easier to create workout programs tailored to individual goals or medical recommendations. Smart home gyms include intuitive technologies that assist with fitness tracking, routine building, and progress mapping. 

There are different types of smart home fitness gear with varying degrees of sophistication. For instance, some apps track users’ workout data, similar to wearables (e.g., headsets and smartwatches). In contrast, some smart home fitness gear incorporates large machines, including features like virtual reality (VR) capabilities and built-in coaching (e.g., NordicTrack’s iFit treadmills or the Peloton Bike+). Although many smart home gym devices can multi-task, most fitness programs are on a subscription basis, quickly adding up to expensive annual costs. In addition, when Internet services are down, some of these machines become “dumb” or almost unusable. 

A considerable advantage of smart home gyms over traditional gyms is that they can provide efficient and convenient fitness programs in the home, with little equipment needed. During the lockdowns enforced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the convenience of smart home gyms was attractive to many customers. However, as fitness centers re-opened, many people have left their smart home gyms to workout in public. 

Disruptive impact

Manufacturers are continuously fine-tuning smart fitness machines to develop better, more intuitive, and data-driven features. For example, Tonal is a digital weight resistance machine that replaces dumbbells. Tonal offers a wide range of live and on-demand workout sessions, including 16 different exercise types. Many of its routines utilize AI to change resistance and provide real-time feedback.

And as the smart home gym trend grows, an increasing number of people are opting for compact and easily transported equipment. Customers are also looking for equipment that can serve as personal trainers. For instance, the MIRROR is a compact-sized vertical screen with an extensive library of on-demand sessions and interactive live classes with real-time feedback.

Other equipment includes smart treadmills that can adapt to the user’s running style and offer customized elevation and speeds, or a smart rowing machine that provides exercises for strength training. In contrast, a study on wearables highlighted that fitness trackers are great motivators for their owners. When people can track their steps and heart rates, they are encouraged to beat their best record. The study stated that mental health improved as people had a sense of accomplishment and improved quality of life.

Implications of smart home gyms

Wider implications of smart home gyms may include: 

• Increasing interest from insurance providers and health institutions to collect fitness data to help determine insurance packages and care plans. 
• Future integrations with physiotherapy clinics to ensure that home workouts align with physical therapy progression goals.
• Increasing interconnectivity between multiple smart home gym devices, including wearables, trackers, and equipment.
• Increasing data privacy regulations for these machines as they continue to store personal data, including medical information.
• More equipment offering offline programs for people who don’t have stable Internet access or those who live in rural areas.
• Increasing subscription package options for users, depending on their weekly or monthly fitness goals.
• Enhancing devices to be more lightweight for convenience, include better motion sensors, and improve or add additional features.

Questions to consider

• What are the implications of insurance companies gaining access to people’s fitness regimes?
• What are the other benefits and risks of smart home gyms?