Even with a slowdown in sales following the pandemic, the home fitness equipment industry is expected to see significant growth in the coming years, from $14 billion in 2021 to nearly $22 billion by 2028, according to data published by Research and Markets.
But not everyone can afford expensive equipment, nor do many have the space for a treadmill, exercise bike, or elliptical.
As a result, streaming video fitness classes is a popular alternative, usually in the form of an app that you can access on multiple devices and often requires no equipment. This is also ideal for business travelers, who may want to exercise in their hotel room before heading out for the day.
“The portability of fitness apps that can be used on the go, anytime, anywhere adds to the appeal,” says Tim Bajarin, a veteran technology analyst and president of the market research firm with Headquartered in San Jose, California. creative strategiesin an interview with USA TODAY.
“For most people who don’t want to spend their hard-earned money on expensive exercise equipment, these fitness software apps can help them stay fit at a much lower cost,” adds Bajarin, who says that you have added a virtual reality (VR fitness app), Liteboxer, to your routine. “Exercising in virtual reality could be the next big frontier in fitness programs.”
Peloton isn’t just hardware
While home fitness giants like Peloton fuse video instructors with their exercise equipment, their popular Platoon Application ($12.99/month after 30-day free trial) can be used with or without home hardware and can be accessed on multiple devices: iPhone, iPad, Android Phones, Android Tablets, Fire Tablets, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, or the web.
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“Connected fitness has changed the way people approach and prioritize their physical and mental health,” says Tom Cortese, co-founder and chief product officer of Peloton, in a statement provided to USA TODAY. “Consumers now have the opportunity to seek services that fit and support their lifestyle, offering convenience, accessibility and flexibility, while providing personalized and engaging experiences.”
The Peloton app membership offers access to thousands of live and on-demand classes, covering various types of exercise, including indoor cycling, running, walking, boot camp, strength, yoga, and outdoor audio-only classes, and selected music.
“Our app gives you the power and motivation of the Peloton experience, truly anywhere,” adds Cortese. “It is a key product in our portfolio that allows new and existing members to benefit from thousands of high-energy classes taught by expert instructors.”
Similar to the $44/mo All-Access membership (required with the Peloton team), you can view metrics and performance tracking to keep you motivated, plus you can see other members taking the same class as you.
Note: The Peloton All-Access membership gives you access to the Peloton app, at no additional charge, but not the other way around.
Apple Fitness+ on the road to success
Released in late 2020 during the pandemic, Apple Fitness+ ($9.99/month or $79.99/year) is an exclusive service for Apple devices that provides access to thousands of 4K video and audio workouts, led by expert trainers, from five to 45 minutes each.
Exercises include walking, running, HIIT (high-intensity interval training), strength training, yoga, pilates, cycling, dancing, rowing, and more—even guided meditation—and each with music playlists. New workouts and meditations are added every week, says Apple.
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With support for up to five family members per subscription, Apple Fitness+ works on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Apple Watch (with personalized metrics captured on your wrist). If you buy an Apple Watch, Apple Fitness+ is free for three months.
While most classes don’t require any equipment, for some you may need items like a yoga mat, dumbbells, an indoor cycling bike, a rowing machine, or a treadmill. You can use any brand of equipment.
Apple Fitness+ can be found in the center tab of the Fitness app on iPhone, while Apple Watch users will find Fitness+ Audio Workouts in the Workout app and Fitness+ Audio Meditations in the Mindfulness app. iPad users will need to download the Fitness app from the App Store, and it’s available on Apple TV.
Fun fact: Platoon tweeted the day Apple announced Fitness+, “Friendly competition is in our DNA. Welcome to the world of digital fitness, Apple.”
Other streaming video options for fitness fanatics
From countless (and free) YouTube videos from personal trainers and fitness instructors to national fitness clubs offering virtual workouts (including fitness planet Y Good Life Fitness), there is no shortage of video streaming classes to find online, and on any device you trust.
Even Roku, the popular streaming video platform, offers several hundred fitness (and mindfulness) channels to watch, including free and paid services.
Other popular picks for live and/or on-demand fitness classes include Daily Burn (Android Y iOS), nike training clubObe Fitness (Android Y iOS), Pop Sugar Gym, beachbody on demand Y fitness blenderto name a few.
USA TODAY readers, what’s your online exercise class or video workout? Share with us on Twitter including the identifiers @USATODAYTechnology Y @marc_saltzman.
Follow Marc on Twitter to see his “Tech Tip of the Day” posts: @marc_saltzman. Send him an email or subscribe to his technology podcast. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
