Can a virtual fitness trainer replace a personal coach?
Personal trainers were once considered luxuries reserved for athletes, movie stars and the well off — but technology has changed that. Today you can “hire” a virtual trainer with your smartphone to help you with work out in the comfort of your own home.
Wearables, digital health tracking devices, and different online exercise programs are challenging the concept of traditional fitness delivery models. Gyms and health clubs are no longer limited in “four walls”- now you can workout anytime and anyplace. In order to reach as many people as possible, the fitness industry is having to adapt to these new trends.
Virtual coaches сan augment the traditional offering of a personal fitness trainer. Although personal trainers have been recognized as an important source of encouragement and emotional support — especially when we are navigating a rough patch — some experts are musing about how modern technologies could help to encourage and motivate more efficiently.
Mobile virtual fitness applications allow to record and monitor our progress by creating a feedback loop that optimizes our training sessions. These programs are not only increasing the enjoyment factor for users but also contributing to better engagement and compliance.
Modern, personalized virtual fitness systems can include a customizing strategy that considers our needs. Also, virtual fitness apps provide us with an additional sensory stimulation, such as video and audio cues, which can have a positive effect on our practice and motivation. We can now choose our own scene presentation and game rules, making ourselves even more involved in our own training process.
At the 2016 Motionsoft Technology Summit in Baltimore, Maryland, Rasmus Ingerslev, IHRSA Board Chair, emphasized in his closing keynote address that the fitness industry’s focus should now be on more individualized fitness service. It is very important for us to be able to set individual personalized goals, as well as consider our individual constraints, and this is where the potential advantage of fitness applications lies.
Besides, let’s not forget that fitness app is much cheaper than a personal trainer with the same comfort. Virtual approaches to health are often more cost-effective when compared to traditional gym memberships or buying the latest fitness equipment. No additional hardware is required for this app; all you need is to place your smartphone or tablet in front of you and start your work out.
POZUS — is a new ground in the area of technologies. This motion tracking system doesn’t need any sensors and other special hardware added to a mobile device.
AI completely controls your workout: analyses body position, makes suggestions on form correction, counts the number of good repetitions and tracks your progress. All this helps you to achieve a perfect technique and avoid injuries so your workout could be more productive.
Moreover,these systems for the time being act as aids to personal fitness trainers. The virtual assistant coach can help in giving maximum to clients and allows to make sure things go smoothly. AI can notice the details which are not visible to the human eye.
It’s hard enough to answer the question whether a virtual fitness trainer саn replace a personal coach. But obviously, nowadays fitness apps can qualitatively serve as a trainer, and also have some advantages. Real-time instructions of virtual coach can keep you motivated to achieve your objectives faster and set new fitness goals.
