Digital Gym Trainer: Virtual Fitness in Gyms

 

As gym design and gym equipment experts we constantly monitor the latest technology impacting the gym industry and right now there is nothing hotter than virtual trainer software, be it for home gym, hotel gym or commercial gym environments. So what are they?

Below we cover a range of possible options for anyone looking to test out a virtual trainer fitness software program online but before we get into that let's first establish some of the key terminology related to this topic: from connected fitness to personal training online and virtual trainer software.

Connected Fitness training programs

Connected fitness refers to the integration of technology into physical exercise, enabling users to track, monitor, and enhance their workouts through smart devices and applications. This concept includes equipment like smart bikes, treadmills, and wearable fitness trackers that connect to apps or online platforms.

These tools provide real-time feedback, personalized workout plans, and virtual classes, creating an interactive and engaging fitness experience. Connected fitness promotes accountability, motivation, and community through features like live streaming, on-demand classes, and social sharing.

Personal training programs online

Personal training online involves providing fitness coaching and guidance through digital platforms. In today's fitness industry, this concept includes one-on-one virtual sessions, personalized workout plans, and ongoing support via video calls, apps, and social media.

Trainers use technology to monitor progress, offer real-time feedback, and adapt programs to individual needs.

Online personal training makes expert fitness guidance accessible, flexible, and convenient, catering to diverse schedules and locations while fostering a supportive and engaging fitness community.

Virtual trainer software to meet your fitness goals

Virtual trainer software in the fitness industry provides digital platforms that simulate personal training experiences. These applications offer guided workouts, personalized exercise plans, and real-time feedback through AI or pre-recorded videos.

They track users' progress, adjust routines based on performance, and often include interactive features like virtual coaching, live classes, and social integration. Virtual trainer software makes professional fitness training accessible, convenient, and adaptable to individual needs, enhancing user engagement and motivation.

Digital fitness platform

A digital fitness platform is an online system that offers a comprehensive suite of fitness-related services, accessible through websites or mobile apps. These platforms typically provide virtual workouts, personalized training plans, progress tracking, nutritional guidance, and community support.

They may feature live and on-demand classes, integration with wearable devices, and interactive features like leaderboards and social sharing. Digital fitness platforms cater to a wide range of fitness levels and goals, making professional fitness resources and personalized training accessible and convenient for users anytime, anywhere.

 
iFIT connected fitness virtual trainer software biofit gym design

iFIT connected fitness gym equipment

iFIT is a major player in the virtual trainer and connected fitness space with multiple apps across mobile, TV and desktop as well as premium video content. The brand has partnerships with gym equipment companies such as NordicTrack, Freemotion, Weider, and Matrix, covering rowers, indoor cycles, fitness mirrors, strength training, running, and cross-training.

The iFIT mobile App is meant for your mobile device and can be connected to an iFIT-enabled gym machine or used to find workouts that require no equipment. It integrates seamlessly with other fitness apps, providing a comprehensive fitness experience by combining data from various sources. It is available on the Apple app store and Google Play priced at $15/month with a 30-day free trial.

A TV app meanwhile is more suited to home gym use; it is available on Apple TV, Amazon TV, Google TV and Android TV-Roku also at $15/month with a 30-day free trial.

Fusion is a separate company using a specific type of gym machine called the Fusion CST which comes with an iFIT tablet partnered with iFIT to use their coaches and training programs but is still a separate app specific to the Fusion CST which is only available on Google Play. ($15/Month) (30-day free trial). The Fusion CST Machine itself costs $1,999.

https://www.ifit.com/

DRAX runbeat virtual trainer biofit gym design

DRAX Runbeat gym equipment

DRAX are an up-and-coming South Korean brand with a plan to enter the European market big time over coming years, we’ve got them on our radar and have been learning about their sleek, high-tech equipment with interest, expect to hear more about them in future posts in fact!

Runbeat is a digital entertainment company partnered with DRAX’s motorized and curved treadmill.

Based on the Windows 10 operating system this innovative solution of curved treadmill + virtual trainer equipment is used by schools, hospitals, sports centers, fitness centers, and government offices - so commercial gym use effectively, rather than home gym use, as the concept involves racing against others on the treadmills next to you!

Essentially this is an indoor running experience focused on the competitive experience of track and field events. DRAX Runbeat also helps users track their fitness journey and progress over time.

https://draxfit.eu/

peloton virtual trainer app biofit gym

Peloton virtual trainer gym app

Peloton may need no introduction but their standalone training app may do as not everyone knows they can access the same content via the web or a smartphone app, android TV, apple TV, etc for a monthly fee of approx $13.

Peloton supports lots of equipment-based workout regimes including rowers, treadmills, indoor cycling and strength training. The app also excels in personal training by offering personalized workouts and fitness metric tracking, making it easy for users to follow 1:1 training via video call.

There are plenty of different packages to choose from including equipment (cycle trainers, treadmills) or simply the app by itself, as well as the Peloton guide which is a hardware display on your TV with a personal AI trainer.

Anyone with Peloton home gym equipment and a subscription can get the virtual trainer workout app at no extra cost.

https://www.onepeloton.com/scf



les mills virtual trainer classes biofit gym

Les Mills virtual classes for group fitness

Les Mills are the established giants of group fitness class concepts in gyms and studios around the world, and with good reason.. they currently offer three different subscription options (€14.95/month) (€38.00/3-monthly) (€134/year) and all come with a 30-day free trial.

These virtual classes are designed especially for clubs, assuming more than one user at a time, which in turn immediately gives us as gym designers a sense of the required layout in the group fitness studio.

A variety of virtual classes on offer with a range of class types and fitness levels to suit all tastes and abilities. This type of product raises the question of whether a group fitness instructor is entirely necessary for every class session, or if some can be replaced with a pre-recorded digital alternative such as this one?

We might imagine a hotel or resort gym scenario for example, where there are limited options in terms of highly skilled, well-trained personal trainers or group fitness instructors, meaning a virtual alternative may have a place in the overall mix, perhaps not replacing live in-person content completely but supporting it when needed.

Virtual classes can complement the role of a personal trainer by providing additional resources for workout routines, client management, and scheduling, ensuring a comprehensive fitness experience.

Music and instructors with amazing talent specifically designed to get results

https://www.lesmills.com/

technogym live app gym biofit

Technogym live digital user interface for gyms

The Italian gym equipment brand clearly saw this shift to digital coming a long way off and made the necessary moves to line up a high-end selection of digital fitness content for subscribers to their LIVE app. The app also offers premium features such as exclusive content and advanced tracking capabilities, enhancing the user experience.

Again, this is a software service integrated into their own brand equipment but also available as a standalone product. The app can therefore be used at home, in a gym or even outside on a smartphone.

No equipment is needed necessarily although in our experience, having at least a couple of dumbbells around, some bands, perhaps a kettlebell or two and a bench or something to lean on merely makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable.

Plenty of different class types are available, from boxing to HIIT, stretching, yoga, strength, meditation, various signature programs coached by top athletes.

Apple Fitness Plus - digital fitness content for home gym use

Available through the fitness app on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch this subscription-based service provides classes in meditation, yoga, HIIT and strength training, both in video and audio only.

A user can track daily fitness goals and access on-screen timers as well as trainer call-outs, when integrated with an apple watch there are also real-time personalized metrics like heart rate and calories burned.

Classes cover beginner to advanced level  and pricing at the time of writing was $9.99/month or $79.99/year which can be shared out with up to five family members. 

New workouts/meditations lasting between 5 and 45 minutes are added each week. The production values of this fitness content alone merits our attention, ideal for anyone familiar with the apple user interface already. 

https://www.apple.com/apple-fitness-plus


funxtion digital fitness biofit

Funxtion digital fitness for gyms

Netherlands based Funxtion provide customizable digital fitness content aimed at supporting gyms to enhance their member's experience, rather than being for home gym use or home workouts. Instead they look to partner with hotels and commercial gyms.

Funxtion is essentially a software platform that allows gym owners to use their own content, 3rd party content, or Funxtions content, all streamed via the mobile app, a smart device or in a gym installation.


https://funxtion.com/


Other platforms we have our eyes on:

WEXER VIRTUAL TRAINER SOFTWARE (CORE HEALTH & FITNESS GROUP)

https://wexer.com/

FITBOX VIRTUAL TRAINER SOFTWARE / HARDWARE

https://www.fitboxvirtual.com/

FIIT VIRTUAL TRAINER PLATFORM

https://fiit.tv/

CLUB FIVE VIRTUAL TRAINER PLATFORM

https://www.clubfive.co.uk/

 
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