Rise
of Connected Fitness Devices
Wearable fitness trackers and smartwatches began gaining widespread popularity
in the late 2010s as technology improved and prices dropped. By tracking
biometric data like steps, heart rate, and sleep, these connected devices
allowed users to closely monitor their health and fitness from their wrists.
Popular early devices included Fitbit, Garmin, and the Apple Watch. The
COVID-19 pandemic accelerated demand as more people sought to workout and track
fitness from home. Sales of connected devices surged, with the global market
valued at over $50 billion by 2022 according to research firms.
Advanced devices now go well beyond basic step counting by integrating Smart
Fitness, advanced heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, music
controls, and payment capabilities. Popular products offer extensive libraries
of on-demand and live workout classes accessible via the connected device. This
has transformed at-home fitness by allowing users to replicate the group class
experience with personalized audio/video instruction and metrics directly on
their wrists or other wearable screens. Manufacturers are also incorporating
wellness features for stress monitoring, meditation, and respiratory tracking.
Rise of Smart Fitness Platforms and Apps
Along with the growth of connected devices, the pandemic drastically increased
demand for digital fitness content that could be enjoyed from home. This fueled
explosive growth of online fitness platforms and mobile apps offering on-demand
and livestreamed workout classes. Popular sites like Peloton, Nike Training
Club, and Fitness+ gained tens of millions of subscribers offering a diverse
selection of classes across various workout modalities like running, cycling,
yoga, dance, strength training and more.
Instructors on these platforms stream multiple live classes daily that
participants can join from their connected devices, televisions, or mobile
apps. Users see the instructor and other participants in real-time while
syncing their workouts and metrics. This social, accountable element has been
key to user retention. Subscription revenues for the top digital platforms now
total billions annually. Virtual personal training has also grown rapidly
through private classes and goal-setting tools accessible via mobile apps.
Augmented and Virtual Reality for Smart Fitness
Cutting-edge fitness technologies are leveraging augmented reality (AR) and
virtual reality (VR) to further transform the at-home experience. AR apps
employ cameras to superimpose layers of information like distances, routes, and
form corrections atop real-world views. Popular running apps use AR to coach
runners in real-time. Beat Saber is a popular VR rhythm game that incorporates
arm movements for an intense full-body cardio workout while slashing bloques to
the beat.
Forward-thinking gyms now offer high-end VR classes simulating outdoor runs,
rides, hikes and more using specialized headsets, treadmills, and bikes.
At-home VR systems like the Oculus Quest are also enabling immersive 360-degree
workout experiences without tethers to expensive gaming PCs. These platforms
allow users to “travel” anywhere in the digital world for their daily
training sessions. The realism of these virtual environments is improving
rapidly with high-resolution graphics and spatialized sound.
Global Market Projections
The digitization of smart fitness has enabled unprecedented access to diverse
workouts from any location. This convenience is expected to sustain high demand
even as pandemic restrictions ease. Research firms forecast continued
double-digit annual growth of the global connected fitness device market,
projecting a value of over $80 billion by 2027. Digital fitness platforms are
projected to gain over 500 million subscribers worldwide by 2025 as virtual
options proliferate. Augmented and virtual reality technologies for fitness are
still nascent but expected to surge in popularity as costs decline and
capabilities advance. Together, these digital innovations are revolutionizing
the global fitness industry and transforming how people achieve and track their
health and fitness goals anywhere, anytime through personalized digital
experiences.
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About
Author:
Ravina
Pandya, Content
Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes
in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food
and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials,
etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)
