Are Smart Gyms the Future of Fitness Post-Covid?

At-home fitness tools have seen sales jump during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Once Covid happened, especially with shelter-in-place orders and the shutdown of gyms, we saw an acceleration towards workout at home,” says Aly Orady, the CEO of Tonal. “We saw sales volumes increase and ever since then it’s just continued to grow and sustain.”

Tonal is just one of many companies betting on growing demand for at-home smart gyms.

“Everyone is really jealous that we get to do all of what we continue to do without any disruption,” says Tonal customer, Ilias Siafakas. “And also, we have personal trainers right on the device who kind of just tell you what to do.”

Dr. Jennifer Huberty, an Associate professor at Arizona State University in the College of Health Solutions, Exercise and Wellness program, thinks Covid will bring permanent change in how people exercise. “There are a lot of U.S. adults that are not meeting physical activity recommendations.” she says. “But since Covid, it's gotten worse. And mainly, that's due to the fact that we're in isolation, quarantine, and in some cases, resources are not available, places have closed down. People just have less time. We already saw this happening, and Covid just escalated it tremendously.”

But smart gyms aren’t cheap. Equipment alone can cost over $1,000 each.

Tempo CEO Moawia Eldeeb says Tempo’s smart gyms are personalized to customers’ needs. The equipment uses AI and tech.

“So if I worked out the same move for X amount of time at 15 pounds,” explains Ilias, “at some point it's going to start recognizing that I'm comfortably doing that move and it's going to jack up the weight by one or two pounds very naturally.”

The fitness stations also give you workout buddies.

“One of the things that I find most fascinating about the community of tonal is how supportive everyone is through motivational moments where people show their before and after pictures or even just like mini milestones,” says Ilias.

Dr. Huberty says community and support is key to long-term fitness goals, especially when working out at home. “We definitely need to figure out strategies to have support in these digital remote ways,” she says.

Ilias says his smart home gym has improved his life. “I got to do all of my strength training and all of my workouts without ever having to worry about the concern of if gyms open, when they open,” he says. “I could just stay at home and get everything done.”

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