Virtual fitness is on everyone's lips. Apps such as Gymondo, Runtastic and Freeletics bring virtual fitness training to smartphones and smart TVs at home, and virtual classes - i.e., classes in front of a screen, without a trainer - are also becoming increasingly popular in fitness studios. But what is the truth behind this trend? Is virtual fitness the big opportunity or just hype? We have compiled the most important facts about Virtual Fitness for you here.
Virtual Fitness - an old concept in a new guise
Back in the 1950s, Jack LaLanne presented fitness exercises on US television. In the 1980s, millions danced with Jane Fonda in front of their TV sets at home. So Virtual Fitness is really just a logical evolution of this very classic fitness content. Just a few years ago, Virtual Fitness was considered a niche product; average content and inferior technology made the concept seem unpromising. But that has changed fundamentally in recent years.
Both the quality and the acceptance of Virtual Fitness have evolved significantly. All gym operators who already work with virtual classes agree: the equipment has to fit. A normal, small TV does not attract anyone to the gym, a big screen, LED mosaics or large screens with a high-quality sound system are trumps. Attending the Virtual class must feel as spectacular as possible, must make you want to do more, should be fun, encourage peak performance and motivate you to come back.
What small equipment is popular for Functional Fitness?
Optimize the use of the class room
Les Mills is leading the way in New Zealand; since 2015, classrooms have been equipped with 10m curved screens so that class participants are surrounded by the screen on 3 sides. When spinning with a trainer, class participants ride through virtual realities - becoming participants in a video game or cycling on a rooftop terrace in Las Vegas. Thanks to the high-quality, modern technology, the immersion of the course participants is great; at the New Zealand fitness giant, 23% of the members said they only go to the studio because of the virtual courses.
McFit is the pioneer in Germany; the John Reed studios are equipped with large screens, and the virtual course program runs continuously on these screens from 6 a.m. to midnight. Virtual just fits in well with today's life. Members don't have to worry about what time they want to go work out - with Virtual Fitness, they can be sure that a class is going on. The studio can offer classes during the complete opening hours - but still doesn't need more staff to do it. This can result in the studio being relieved during peak hours and more business shifting to less popular times - a real win for the operator, staff and exercisers.
Fully equipped classrooms are among the most profitable areas of a studio per square foot, but group fitness areas often look like a missed opportunity: Indoor cycling rooms go unused on average more than 80% of the day!
This is where Virtual Fitness can and should help, ensuring that such areas in the gym are used more.
What yoga equipment can I offer in the class room?
High quality content and good music
In addition to cinema-level AV technology, course content is of course particularly critical to the success or failure of a virtual class. Here, too, operators of studios with virtual fitness courses agree. A boring course video with old-fashioned music and bad instructors naturally attracts no one to the studio. Driving beats and inspiring instructors, an exciting backdrop and high-quality content should generate an engaging experience for members. The ambience of the class room also contributes to this - a high-quality ambience supports immersion and motivates members to come back.
Virtual fitness no substitute for live classes
Surprisingly, the introduction of Virtual Fitness has not caused a decline in live class attendance. On the contrary, studios offering Virtual Fitness have seen a slight increase in the number of live classes booked. Virtual classes are often the entry point to a "real" fitness class, newcomers, shy people and members who are not confident in themselves when it comes to exercise can first "get a taste" with the Virtual classes, many then take the plunge after attending the virtual class and join a live class in a group with a trainer.
Some studios have also begun to provide virtual exercise instructions with the equipment, but again, the virtual trainers are less a replacement for the flesh-and-blood trainer than a way to get into the workout more easily.
Criticism of Virtual Fitness
Sports scientists take a critical view of virtual training. While in practice it is mainly "newbies" and sports beginners who are addressed by the virtual courses, in theory these courses should rather complement the fitness program of advanced athletes, according to sports science.
Since there is no trainer monitoring the movement sequences, incorrect postures, overloads and accidents can occur. Many beginners may overestimate themselves, and go far beyond their level of performance, as they may be swept along uncontrollably by the virtual experience.
Conclusion
Virtual Fitness is trending, and a good Virtual program is well accepted and enjoyed by studio members. Virtual classes can minimize "idle time" in classrooms and group fitness areas. The prerequisite is cinema-level AV technology and high-quality content to motivate members. Beginners should be careful not to overestimate their level of ability and avoid poor posture in Virtual classes.
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Editors fitnessmarkt.de (DG)
Photo credit: ICG Connect Campaign, Life Fitness
Published on: 22 August 2019