Although working out is great for your health, it can also be time consuming and a bit boring. Today’s modern gyms are aware of the need to keep fitness fans engaged while working out and as a result they are adding many new high-tech features to modern exercise equipment in order to address the problem. Commercial gym machines that used to feature just a handful of different settings now often have 20 or more choices. The equipment is now combining video, musical and interactive features to get more people into the gym and keep them happier while they are there.
Because people are likely to use a piece of equipment longer if they are entertained while using it, as well as adding new features to traditional equipment, there is also a growing selection of truly new designs that are completely changing the way people exercise. Some of the newest machines focus less on body building exercises and more on wellness-oriented, low-impact equipment that is a better fit for the aging boomer generation. Exercise fans can now see how many calories they've burned, see their heart rate rise and fall in real time, and watch their favorite music videos while working out.
Here’s a look at some of the new high-tech equipment that may be coming to a gym near you soon:
FreeMotion i.Tonic Vibration Platform
The FreeMotion Platform moves vertically at various vibrations per second and time intervals to complement to any training regimen. The Platform allows users to perform both upper and lower body exercises, along with Yoga poses and core abdominal work.
Precor AMT 100i Adaptive Motion Trainer
Precor's new Adaptive Motion Trainer is a powered elliptical machine that coordinates workouts to adjustable movement patterns using a low-impact horizontal and vertical support system. It allows a choice of stride length and motion and dual-action arms work the whole body. The handlebars feature heart rate sensor readouts and other performance data on a console screen.
iTech Fitness XRKade
The XRKade is an interactive video with 3-D technology that put users into different virtual scenarios during workouts. Users can choose from a variety of virtual activities including boxing, snowboarding, biking, kickboxing and other high-tech workouts.
Stott Pilates' V2 Max Plus Reformer
The Pilates V2 machine features a vertical frame pulley system that allows users to workout in a three-dimensional range of motion.
Hoggan Sprint Airbounder
The Airbounder is like a cross between a stair climber and trampoline that features new technology creating a shock absorption system that eliminates impacts on the spine and joints while users jump and train with abandon. User options include total number of jumps, resistance level, heart rate, and elapsed time.
JumpSnap Ropeless Jump Rope
The JumpSnap may be ropeless, but it does take a bit of coordination, balance, and endurance to utilize. The device is actually a wireless jump rope set which allows users to burn 600 calories in a 30-minute workout. One handle contains a screen that displays your weight, calories burned, number of jumps, and workout time.
Nautilus TreadClimber
The TreadClimber is a cardio training machine that combines a treadmill, elliptical and stair climber into one machine. Nautilus say it will allow users to burn calories twice as fast as walking on a treadmill while still going easy on the joints.