Fitness tech boom

New year fitness resolutions often see folks flooding gym facilities, resulting in surging membership numbers at the beginning of the year. However, while the global pandemic persists, this has taken on a new form, with facilities pressured into closing their doors to customers, the Fitness Tech market has flourished, as it became the preferred alternative.

Regardless of the burgeoning industry, with gadgets for tracking step count, apps for meditation and WiFi operated bathroom scales drumming up business, there was high demand for improved service. As celebrity online workout videos and jogging in parks lacked interaction, consumers demanded a simulated interactive gym experience while working towards their fitness goals from home and Fitness Tech answered the call. Here's Liteboxing instructor Jeremy Needham.

Jeremy Needham: "A big part of going to the gym together is sort of suffering together. It's like, you experience pain, you work really hard and you sweat. And so do the people around you, and you build a camaraderie around that. And now that we don't share that space, at least in real time, we have to do it virtually right?"

Having successfully replicated this interactive and social space albeit virtually, the Fitness Tech industry has profited massively.

Consumer Technology Association's Director of Industry Analysis, Richard Kowalski gives us a rundown.

Richard Kowalski: "Fitness tech devices will be a $4.5 billion market in the US this year, and there's a growing group of people who are engaging with these devices in their home, they want connectivity. They want to engage with other people online. And this is helping people incentivize them to keep fit, and to just engage with other people."

Whether you're a debutant or Olympian, the Fitness Tech industry has got you covered with a wide range of interactive spaces spanning boxing, spinning or even rowing.

Former member of the US Olympic rowing team Aquil Abdullah really appreciates the opportunity to virtually interact with rowers.

Aquil Abdullah: "You start talking to each other. And then all of a sudden, you have a group of maybe six guys, you know, from all over the world, a guy is in London, a guy is out in California, a guy is down in Florida, and you have this community."

Though equipment might be costly, if you've got the funds, time and room for it, you could very well become part of the virtual Fitness Tech world. Nevertheless, much like your gym membership, you'll only reap the benefits if you put in the work.

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