New Delhi, Aug 16 (UNI) With the advent of digital advancements and cutting-edge technology, individual behaviours have evolved into healthy living.

Every industry, including the fitness sector, has jumped on the digital bandwagon. Following the pandemic outbreak, consumers have become more cautious and concerned about their health. Despite COVID-induced social distance restrictions, people were adamant about being active. That was the time when virtual fitness and connected home workout gadgets became popular.



According to Allied Market Research, the online fitness market will be worth 59.231 million dollar by 2027, expanding at a 33.1 per cent CAGR between 2022 and 2027. The report also highlighted that the driving factors behind the growth of the market are majorly the increased demand for advanced fitness sessions as well as the rise of AR or VR-based training. Furthermore, the lack of time to attend training sessions at health facilities has fueled industry development.

While the pace is still steady, over time, the fitness sector is gradually embracing digital technology. Owing to COVID-19, the temporary closure of gyms has impacted the liquidity of many fitness firms in India. Many gyms and fitness studio businesses, which were mostly on-ground locations, moved their whole offering online, not only to be relevant but also for survival.

In this scenario, virtual fitness sessions, consultations, and holistic training, among other things, have become the new norm. Furthermore, individuals are increasingly comfortable working out in the privacy of their homes with their equipment.



The advantages of technology in the fitness industry go well beyond the sheer comfort of streamlined transactions. Prateek Sood, Director, Grand Slam Fitness, shares some of the ways that technology is influencing the fitness sector—



1) Personalised workout plans with a fitness app:

Through an app, fitness professionals may track their efforts along with their progress. Such gadgets collect data of user. Leading fitness enterprises are increasingly utilizing powerful machine learning algorithms to mine the data (data mining) for insights that enable customized training and nutrition regimens based on an individual's unique health profile and goals.

This has proven to improve outcomes and increase user retention for tech-driven platforms. Other solutions are in the works that can measure metabolic activity and vitals throughout the day to provide users with a more detailed picture of how their food and training routine are affecting their mind and body. Individualized health regimens will become more specific and exact as technology advances, resulting in more effective outcomes.



2) Improved virtual trainer:

Connected fitness, enabled by new-age technology, is gaining appeal among fitness enthusiasts in more developed countries. New-age players let users follow their preferred exercise routines at home with the assistance of a virtual trainer who supports fitness enthusiasts in real-time form and posture adjustment to get optimal results.

In the post-pandemic atmosphere, interactive technologies will grow even more popular, especially since lockdowns have destroyed the illusion that physical training is only possible in brick-and-mortar gyms.



3) Following a holistic health approach:

The pandemic emphasised the importance of mental, emotional, and psychological well-being. As a result, when fitness enthusiasts started using virtual fitness services, they realized that it had to be more than just the physical workouts they were used to prior to the Covid-19. Fitness and well-being are now defined as maintaining a healthy work-life balance with a holistic approach.



As more people embrace a holistic approach to health and wellness, there is a greater demand for meditation and mindfulness applications. Concurrently, increased demand for digital-led fitness solutions has increased class offerings for a variety of routines. What was previously only available at physical gyms and personal trainers is now available to subscribers at home via subscription services.



“The fitness industry has been transformed almost beyond recognition as a consequence of the evolving landscape. Technology will continue to alter people's active lifestyles while also enabling gyms to offer more relevant customizations of workouts with a holistic approach, with the potential to increase the efficiency of current workout trends and enhance customer experience,” added Prateek.



In a nutshell, given the benefits of this paradigm shift, it is not a stretch to predict that emerging technology trends will be here to stay, and change the fitness industry in the coming future.

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