Now that we’ve got the technology to count our steps, turn off our lights, and drive without having our hands on the steering wheel, it’s perfectly logical that it’s revolutionized how we exercise. For most people who lead busy, stress-filled lives, incorporating innovative fitness machines is an effective way to ensure they follow through with their physical activity goals.
Even if you’re unsure of what connected fitness is, there’s a good chance you’ve already experienced it at a gym, fitness studio, or even at home. This new concept of connected fitness is undoubtedly an emerging trend and will continue to take the world by storm as more and more people discover its benefits.
Over the past three years, connected fitness has become all the rage, especially since many people gave up their gym memberships during the pandemic. Instead, fitness enthusiasts invested in at-home equipment that utilizes technology to bring workout classes to their living room or bedroom.
By definition, connected fitness is the application of digital technology to your wellness and fitness routine through a mix of hardware, content, and software. Fitness machines that are considered “smart” usually contain aspects of connected fitness.
Connected fitness can take many forms, like Peloton stationary spin bikes, Aviron’s rowing machines, Mirrors, and more.
As mentioned, connected fitness really blew up during the pandemic. Because gyms and fitness studios were forced to close, people were left on their own to figure out ways to stay active without leaving their houses. Many connected fitness companies saw the need for an at-home cardio-based machine to engage people enough to never return to the gym. Even now that gyms and fitness studios have reopened, many have fallen so in love with connected at-home workouts that they don’t intend on going back.
The pandemic also brought the important link between mental health and physical activity to the forefront. Canceling every plan on the calendar and working from home did some serious damage, bringing feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and depression to people all over the globe. Breaking a sweat at home helped boost serotonin and became a top hobby for many.
With a connected fitness machine, you save money on monthly or yearly memberships, don’t have to commute to the gym, and can usually interact or compete with your friends. These tech-forward features elevate your workout and make you feel excited about physical activity. For example, virtual fitness has found a way to replicate the experience of going to the gym, providing guided workouts and live classes from the comfort of your home.
Some of the top connected fitness brands include Tonal, Peloton, Mirror, FightCamp, and Aviron. All five of these brands embrace digital technology and can provide users with an engaging and competitive gym-like experience at home. Many years ago, connected fitness used to refer to fitness apps and trackers, but with the rapid development in technology, it has since expanded into workout machines.
Aviron, a connected rowing machine, is an excellent option for people who are looking to improve their cardiovascular health, build strength, burn calories, and get a total-body workout without the impact. The smart rowing machine utilizes habit-forming psychology and gamification to keep users excited to work out and motivated to accomplish their goals.
On an Aviron rowing machine, people of all fitness levels can take advantage of its exciting features, including scenic rows, guided workouts, live competitions, rowing games, and streaming. The connected rowing machine also comes with classes that lead users through exercises that can be done on a mat, off the machine. This way, Aviron users get a sweaty, fat-blasting workout that tones their entire body.
While it’s hard to imagine connected fitness advancing any more than it already has, there’s an excellent chance it will. Over the past few years, companies within the industry have seen just how connected fitness has achieved record sales and gained an impressive amount of popularity. This unique digital workout option enables health and fitness companies to broaden their target market while providing users with an incomparable, enhanced experience that’ll get them hooked.
In the future, likely, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) will help fitness companies add even more features to their smart machines. However, connected fitness is unlikely to replace in-person visits to the gym or workout classes, as many people love the community and social aspects. Instead of replacing in-person fitness, we can expect to see a growing trend of hybrid fitness, combining digital features with the in-person gym experience.
Should the revolutionary concept of connected fitness take off, we might see a fully immersive experience that takes users into a “metaverse.” But we shouldn’t get too carried away.
Connected fitness is a great option for people of all fitness levels and abilities, even those who wouldn’t consider themselves to be particularly tech-savvy. Most connected fitness machines are user-friendly and provide the motivation and encouragement many people need to challenge themselves. It’s easy to slack off during an at-home workout, but with games, live competitions with friends, and guided workouts, you’ll push yourself much harder.
With most connected fitness machines, the initial price can be daunting for some. But when you factor in the money you’ll be saving on gas, gym and fitness memberships; you’ll likely be saving in the long run. Plus, it’s important to remember that your mental and physical health is always worth the investment.
To learn more about the innovative ways that Aviron merges digital technology and rowing, click here.
