Top Five Connected Fitness Market Trends

The COVID pandemic has changed every aspect of our daily lives. With tons of restrictions and a new normal, people had to get accustomed to a new “remote-first” lifestyle and look for new ways of doing everyday tasks. This search gave rise to new industries like connected fitness, which provides top-quality in-home workouts. 

When the traditional gyms were forced to close, digital workouts spread like wildfire. In 2020, home fitness companies featured a 194% sales growth while gym sales were down by 39%, according to Bloomberg Second Measure.

Under the pandemic restrictions, people trying to keep fit and healthy shifted to virtual fitness platforms and Zoom workouts from brick-and-mortar gyms. Further, the fitness app market is said to reach US$ 15.96 billion in a global market by 2026.

In 2021 when gyms started to re-open, the number of health and fitness app users slightly dropped, according to Statista. However, it’s forecasted that the number of fitness app users will grow and reach 86.3 billion in 2022. 

Number of health and fitness app users in the United States from 2018 to 2022. Source: Statista

In 2021, the Global Connected Fitness Market was worth $1.1 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% by 2026. Following the suite of many business sectors, the fitness industry has also faced massive digital transformation during the pandemic. 

2022 may become the year of connected fitness apps. Considering all social and physical distancing, connected fitness apps can offer more than just wearables that track and record routines. They’re already presenting the radical change that could transform the fitness industry.

Top Four Trends to Watch in 2022

With the holiday season approaching and the Omicron variant threatening a migration back to gyms, connected fitness apps will likely continue their growth in 2022. Peloton is still the leader of the connected fitness market, but rising stars like Tonal, Echelon, Ergatta, Liteboxer, and TrueKinetix are ready to take their share of the market. So let’s find out how you can get on top of the fitness market, too. 

IoT Integrations for Engaging Experiences

Wearables can easily keep track and analyze every aspect of workouts. Several devices are used even by professional athletes that can control speed, acceleration, distance covered, heart rate, and even fatigue. All these can be streamed to a phone or a tablet and help your coach or AI-powered app make more precise decisions about your fitness. 

For example, a bike can be equipped with sensors that collect different types of data – revolutions per minute, resistance, speed, and heart rate. The following data can be displayed on the screen and redistributed to other users who participate in the same live-stream event in a form of a leaderboard to engage users to cycle more actively. 

There are tons of fitness apps and smart wearables, but what about connected stadiums or connected gyms? It seems like relatively uncharted territory for businesses. However, IoT and AI can bring next-gen experience to all users. 

The Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics was one of the first events where IoT and AI technologies were used to maximize the events for fans. Special software algorithms and VR technologies brought the Olympics closer to fans thanks to real-time streams and immersive experiences. 

AI Technologies for Precise Workout Plans

When you're visiting a gym, a trainer assesses your strengths and weaknesses to adjust your workout plan and maximize your results. Thanks to AI and real-time feedback based on users’ movements, connected fitness apps can also access your fitness. These apps analyze your data and generate an ideal workout plan to improve your fitness level. 

For instance, Liteboxer offers a connected boxing experience that can adapt to your fitness goals, skill level, and even music taste. LED light pads connected with the Liteboxer mobile app can track your progress and sync with the rhythm of your favorite track. It engages the users and offers a satisfying workout experience. 

Virtual and Augmented Reality for a Next-Level Experience

Have you watched Back to the Future III, where Doc tells the men in an 1885 saloon about life in the future and how people run for fun? Well, he’s right. Today, we can say that running and working out can be real fun with VR and AR technologies. 

Nowadays, you can combine playing video games with a full-body workout, and many VR technologies can help you get your body moving. For example, the Oculus Quest 2 headset can help you work out with virtual coaches, and the Oculus Move fitness tracking feature built into the Oculus platform can keep track of your moves, heart rates, and burned calories while playing video games.