Did you notice? The last few years have seen a boom in sports and technology. Almost every day, new gadgets and even more impressive innovations are released to improve our lives. At the same time, more and more people are taking up sports and are interested in how exercise can improve their health and prolong their lives.
Perhaps the best part is that you can start running, pulling up or doing yoga at any age, and thanks to social networks and peer support, you can not only enjoy the results but also compete. And it is technology that helps us do that. And this is just the beginning, I have to say. One of the technologies changing the way we exercise and train the most is virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR). With their extensive integration into workout apps and methodologies, we are in for even more exciting changes.
Let’s explore what we can expect from VR and AR in fitness and training in the coming years.
What is VR?
Before we dive into an overview of the impact of these technologies on the way we do fitness or strength training, let’s agree on the terminology used in the text.
So what is VR?
Virtual Reality, or VR, is a technology that overlays digital information and images onto a real-world environment. That is, you seem to be placed in an environment created by a computer. So instead of being in an office where sitting hurts your neck and back – common health problems for office workers – you are already in a gym by the sea. Not bad, huh? All you need is a VR headset.
This device can take you anywhere – from the top of a mountain to the bottom of the ocean. Or maybe you’d rather reach the shore with a mojito in hand?
One of the coolest things about VR is how it makes you feel like you’re really there. You can interact with virtual objects just as you would with real ones, adding a whole new level of immersion to the experience. This makes VR a desirable technology in the field of sports. There is a steady demand for creating fitness apps with VR or AR, as well as a growing interest in sports among users. No wonder, because such apps allow you to work out at home without a personal trainer. By the way, fitness is one of the 5 industries that use Virtual Reality to produce amazing experiences. If you plan to build a workout app, remember the watchword for VR: immersion.
What is AR?
Augmented Reality or AR, unlike Virtual Reality, does not make reality completely unreal (i.e., computer-generated), but adds certain digital elements to the physical reality you see with an AR headset or simply a smartphone. It’s like a filter that overlays certain elements or symbols on top of your tangible reality.
In terms of fitness, AR apps can create obstacles that don’t exist in reality for an athlete to overcome, or a trainer can track your muscle movements as you do pull-ups or deadlifts.
The watchword for AR is enhancement.
So, to sum up:
- VR requires special headsets, while AR can be used with a smartphone;
- VR is about full immersion and simulation of reality, while AR only slightly extends the capabilities of physical reality by enhancing it.
Each of these technologies enriches the fitness experience in its own way and is used in fitness apps. However, both technologies make workouts more engaging, exciting and less boring.
Impact of AR and VR on workout apps
The role of AR and VR in sports is skyrocketing, meaning we should get ready for some exciting changes. But first, let’s take a look at the market.
The AR and VR sports market is expected to grow from $727.44 million in 2024 to $5,897.53 million by 2032. According to Statista, the metaverse (which describes many different concepts ranging from augmented reality to virtual environments) health and fitness market is expected to reach $8.5 billion in 2024 and $56.1 billion by 2030.
As for the countries where the global metaverse health and fitness market is most mature, it is primarily the United States and China that are leading the way in the development of VR fitness.
Given the statistics above, it would be appropriate to recall the phrase “demand creates supply”.
So how exactly is VR/AR revolutionizing fitness apps and the fitness journey of every one of us?
Gamifying exercise
When integrated into fitness apps and programs, augmented and virtual reality can turn a monotonous exercise routine into an exciting game. Users can win virtual prizes, earn points for completing challenging exercises or reaching a high level, and compete with other users for overall rankings.
In the case of running training, saw the most uploads in 2023, the most effective time and distance are marked with the appropriate color or open a new level in this conditional game. All this adds excitement and motivation to your training.
VR/AR personal trainer
In the case of such apps, we get a never-before-seen training experience when instead of a real person, there is a hologram of a trainer next to you, helping you to do the exercises correctly. Magic, no less!
In addition, you will know exactly whether you have the right posture, whether this set of exercises will help you transform your body the way you want, and whether these exercises are safe. Don’t worry, the Augmented Reality Personal Trainer option will give you information about your posture and movements so you can correct them without harming your health.
Data-enabled workouts
Today, users are often looking for devices and apps for sports that track heart rate, hydration levels, and even the correctness of movements during workouts. Modern AR/VR fitness and training apps aim to provide users with real-time data about their body condition in order to reduce the intensity of exercises or, conversely, motivate them to move differently, faster, and more often.
All of this shows that people are interested in personalized workouts, not generalized workouts for everyone. Augmented and virtual reality fitness apps fit perfectly into the context of current user demands, especially with the growing number of people involved in sports and exercise. Because of COVID-19, there was a bit of a dip in interest in sports, but now the curve seems to be going up.
A more immersive experience
Perhaps the most important goal of using AR and VR in fitness and training apps is to engage users more and more. We are offered more and more immersive environments enabling us to learn effectively and immersively.
Let’s face it, it’s not just the developers of such applications who are interested in this effect. The users themselves, i.e. you and me, expect an engaging experience when using technology.
Real-time feedback and monitoring
The revolutionary feature of augmented and virtual reality fitness applications is that they seem to monitor whether you are performing a particular technique correctly and whether you are training effectively during each workout. This detailed monitoring and real-time feedback is achieved by tracking movements and taking into account the specifics of the body’s structure.
These features can help prevent or address common sports injuries and enhance performance. In addition, the VR/AR fitness app provides personalized recommendations and allows you to track your progress, which is a great motivation to achieve better results.
Conclusion
So, let’s face it: technology is transforming the fitness industry. The rise of personalized training through AR and VR is a game-changer. These technologies not only boost engagement but also tailor the experience to fit each person’s needs, preferences, and fitness levels.
In the coming years, we can expect to see even more innovative applications of AR and VR in workouts, with features that adapt to our progress and preferences. This is likely to contribute to a deeper sense of community and motivation, as users can connect with others in shared virtual spaces. As a result, the future of fitness promises to be more interactive, personalized, and less boring than ever before.
