The pandemic brought major changes to industries across the world, and the health and fitness industry is no exception. Lockdowns brought the world to a grinding halt and saw gyms shut and in-person fitness classes drop to record lows. More than ever people were looking for alternative solutions to track their health, keep fit, and help with self-care, ideally from the safety of their own homes. As a result, we’ve seen rapid development of new fitness technologies that a decade ago were only seen in the likes of science fiction. Although the world has opened up and gyms have resumed business as usual, the way that people work out and stay healthy seems to have changed permanently. From AI to virtual reality and smart clothing, fitness technologies are here to stay. And they’re only getting better. So read on if you’re curious about what to expect from technology in fitness in 2023.
Fitness Wearables
Wearable technology was the number 1 fitness trend in 2022 (1). Wearables include watches, rings, earbuds, and even belts and braces. To give you an idea of how huge this space has become, the global fitness tracker market alone is estimated to be worth over $100 billion. There’s no doubt that wearable tech has become a part of the health mainstream.
The most common types of wearable technology are fitness trackers and smartwatches. The main reason people cite for using fitness trackers is to motivate them to exercise and to monitor their health metrics; such as movement, heart rates, estimated daily caloric expenditures etc (2).
Major advancements in fitness trackers over the last few years include:
- electrocardiogram (ECG) technology. ECG allows for the monitoring of your heart rate and rhythm such that it can identify abnormal and potentially dangerous heart rhythms
- SpO2 monitoring which is an estimation of your blood oxygen levels
- tracking your sleep cycle
Another exciting development in the wearables space is smart clothing. Smart clothing is clothing that can measure biometric data, like that found in fitness trackers, but also features sensors laced into the material which offer real-time body-part movement tracking. One such example is the Nadi X smart yoga pant line from Wearable X which features movement sensors embedded into the fabric. These sensors give you form corrections on your posture through haptic (vibrational) feedback and audio. Now that’s smart.
Altogether the fitness data collected by these devices will no doubt continue to help people understand their own personal health at a more granular level, as well as personalize their fitness routine. As companies keep innovating in this space I’m sure wearables will continue to be a dominant trend in the fitness technology space.
Smart Home Gym
The shutdown of gyms and fitness studios during the pandemic saw an explosion in the popularity of at-home workouts and the use of home gym equipment. Companies rushed to develop new home fitness technology in a bid to capture a stake of the gym goers who were now stuck at home.
Companies like Peloton are leading the market with their smart fitness tech lineup of bikes and treadmills. These machines come with touchscreens that enable users to interact with virtual trainers as well as access different types of workout classes from around the world. Furthermore, many of these machines are also equipped with built-in heart rate monitors so users can track their improving fitness over time.
For those who are interested in smart home gym equipment geared towards strength training, there are companies like JaxJox now offering smart Kettlebells and dumbbells. Incredibly these smart weights can change their weight at the push of a button, thereby replacing an entire set of weights. They also offer real-time workout metrics including reps, weights, sets, time, average power, and total volume. Not only that, they’re space-saving and come with preloaded workouts. You can effectively replace an entire gym with this one piece of technology.
Despite things having returned to near normality, many people have found they prefer the efficiency and comfort of working out at home. At-home workouts and home fitness technology will only continue to grow in 2023 and I can’t wait to see what will come with it.
Virtual Reality Workouts
2022 has been a big year for the Virtual Reality (VR) fitness world and we’ve seen the technology expand to include treadmills, bikes, rowing machines, punching bags, Bosu balls, and even full-body VR workout stations.
The cheapest way to start with VR fitness tech is with a VR headset and hand controls. With this, you can join in on fitness classes and the tech will model your movements. So when you do a pushup, the VR model will do a pushup. Or if you’re looking for something more light-hearted, you can play VR fitness games that get you sweating at the same time as having fun.
If you’d prefer a VR experience without the headset then look no further than the fitness mirror. Fitness mirrors are unique in that they look like regular mirrors but feature an embedded screen that can stream exercise classes. Many of them also feature cameras so you can work out with friends or others fitness mirror enthusiasts. If you would prefer personalized online training, you can even connect with virtual personal trainers for one-to-one or group classes.
For a true fully immersive VR workout experience you need a VR workout station. These allow you to fly through a VR world whilst getting a full-body workout that improves strength, balance, and coordination.
As fitness technology continues to develop, it’s likely that even more exciting and innovative VR fitness products will be released. I think we’ll see a lot more of this in 2023 as VR technology becomes more widely accessible and affordable.
Artificial Intelligence
The fitness world is changing rapidly with the adoption of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies. These advancements are making it easier than ever to hit your health goals.
One example of this is Artifit, a personal trainer app that uses camera tracking to give you feedback on your form and posture during workouts. This way, you can ensure that you are doing the exercises correctly and avoid injury.
Another example is Weight Watchers, now WW, who have released their own AI-powered programs. These programs analyze your health and fitness metrics (diet, activity, sleep etc) and then use machine learning to personalize a health plan for your unique needs and goal.
With these machine learning and artificial intelligence-powered fitness programs, people now have access to more personalized and effective fitness care than ever before. AI fitness technologies are sure to continue expanding into 2023 and beyond.
Fitness Apps
As smartphone and fitness tracker usage continues to rise, fitness apps are becoming increasingly popular as a way to track progress and meet fitness goals. The fitness app industry brought in over $5 billion in 2021, a massive 54% increase from the year before (3).
There are now apps available for every type of workout, covering everything from yoga to HIIT to weightlifting. And thanks to the integration of AI, fitness apps are only getting more personalized and effective.
Fitness apps offer a more convenient and affordable alternative to traditional in-person trainers. They can be used anytime, anywhere, and don’t require any special equipment or facilities. Plus, there are often multiple options available within each app, so users can find the perfect workout for their needs and preferences.
Fitness apps also offer a holistic approach to health and fitness with many apps also incorporating diet and nutrition tracking, sleep monitoring, and other health-related features.
Altogether fitness apps mean people have everything they need to manage their health and fitness goals all in one place, and all in the small form factor of their phone. Fitness apps are sure to keep innovating into 2023. (By the way, if you’re looking to upgrade your diet for muscle building or weight loss, check out my favorite healthy and delicious high protein foods).
Online Coaching
The natural result of lockdowns and gym closures was a mass move to online fitness. Even though gyms have reopened, the online fitness space has continued strong. The most commonly cited reasons for why people prefer online fitness classes instead of going to the gym are 1) convenience and, 2) 24/7 on-demand class access.
And just like fitness classes, many health coaches and personal trainers have also gone online. This has several benefits for both the trainer and the client. For trainers, they don’t have to worry about studio rental costs, and they can reach a larger audience of potential clients.
And for clients, it’s often more affordable than working with a personal trainer in person, and there’s no need to travel to a studio or gym. Online personal training also allows people to fit in coaching around a busy schedule, and you can hire whoever you like the most no matter where they are in the world.
With so many advantages, it’s no wonder that online personal training is one of the fastest-growing segments of the fitness industry. This is sure to keep growing in 2023 and integrate with many of the other fitness tech trends mentioned.
Sleep & Wellness Apps
According to a recent study, the average American spends nearly five hours looking at their phone every day. With so much time spent on our devices, it’s no wonder that wellness apps have become so popular. Wellness apps offer a convenient way to help improve our mental and physical health, with many apps available for free or at a low cost.
Headspace is one popular app that helps with mindfulness and meditation, both of which come with a range of mental and physical health benefits. An internal study by Headspace found that just ten days of using the app reduced stress by 14% (4).
Calm is another popular wellness app that focuses on sleep hygiene and sleeping patterns. The app offers a wide range of features including guided sleep meditations, bedtime stories, and white noise machines.
Or if you don’t have a wearable that tracks sleep, you can use an app like Sleep Cycle. It monitors your movements and sounds at night to give you a sleep cycle report.
This is only scratching the surface. There are many other wellness apps available that focus on different aspects of mental health. For example, some apps focus on managing stress levels, while others help with anxiety or depression. With so many options available, wellness apps are sure to continue growing in popularity in the years to come.
Conclusion
So whether you’re looking for smart home gym equipment, new and exciting ways to stay motivated throughout your fitness journey, or you’re seeking an immersive digital health experience – there’s something in the fitness tech space for everyone.
With so many interesting developments happening within the realm of fitness tech, I’m excited to see how these trends will develop through 2023!
