Fitness is a booming industry worth over $35 billion in the U.S. alone. From gyms to subscription programs, workout apparel, and equipment, fitness has evolved from a simple lifestyle recommendation to a trendy lifestyle. It doesn’t matter how you like to exercise; there is a space for you in the fitness world.
Just like technology is always affecting our lives, it’s impacting the way we stay in shape, too. These are the latest innovations and emerging trends in fitness that will continue to sculpt the future of exercise over the next five years.
AR and VR Exercise
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are still largely underdeveloped, but their potential is enormous. Already, fitness companies are finding opportunities to make fitness more fun by placing people in the middle of an exciting scene.
Instead of zoning out while you walk on a treadmill, you can find yourself walking along a scenic tropical beach. Or you could find yourself caught up in an exciting storyline as you interact with the virtual environment around you.
AR and VR will become more commonplace, especially among the younger generations, and redefine the way people stay active. Gyms and fitness centers will likely begin introducing interactive devices to stay on top of the trends and encourage more people to visit.
Gamification
Gamifying fitness makes it more exciting and rewarding. Just like video games give you an award for reaching a goal, gamified fitness includes badges, points, leaderboards, and rewards to make your exercise journey more engaging.
For example, The Conqueror introduces real-world fitness challenges that translate into fun medals and awards. Explore universes like “Star Wars” and “Game of Thrones,” or walk across European countries. Even though you’re putting the steps in your own neighborhood, they translate into a virtual journey that culminates in an exclusive, collectible medal mailed to your doorstep.
Personalized Fitness
Wearable devices that track biometrics will help personalize fitness more than ever. Combined with apps, people will be able to set unique fitness goals, build custom workout plans, and receive more individualized suggestions to help them reach their objectives.
Take ArtiFit for example. This AI-driven workout partner uses real-time adjustments to ensure your body is properly aligned, master workout techniques, and reach your goals faster with fewer reps.
Infrared Exercise
Infrared light can relieve pain, promote healing, boost cardiovascular health, and lower inflammation. While it’s traditionally been enjoyed in a sauna, modern fitness approaches are combining it with exercise to maximize benefits.
An infrared exercise uses sweat and energy to detox your body, while the movements help you strengthen heart health and muscle tone. It’s a win-win.
The added mental health benefits, such as improved clarity and reduced stress levels, can make an infrared sauna workout a self-care game-changer.
Biohacking
Can you turn back the hands of time? Maybe. While you can’t ever change your age, you can make your body biologically younger than your chronological age through biohacking. This practice involves factors like nutrigenomics, a field of study that focuses on how food interacts with your genes.
Of course, you don’t have to become a biohacking wizard to stay healthy and live longer. Routine exercise has been clinically proven again and again to improve your chances of living longer while reducing your risk of disease. And the modern innovations of exercise will make it easier and more accessible for everyone to live their most active life.
Published by: Martin De Juan
