fitness benefits I’ve never had so much fun as I do now. At least, not for long. Thousands of years ago, ancient cultures like the Spartans and Romans treated exercise not as an opportunity to mourn, but as a necessary aspect of life to elevate oneself among one’s peers. It’s no wonder that such thinking crystallizes in grand festivals of physical prowess like the Olympics.
But somewhere along the way, humanity’s approach to fitness changed. Eventually, working out stopped being fun. We stopped working out with friends and instead went for runs alone and frequented claustrophobic rooms full of sweaty strangers. We have become dependent on the nagging orders of overbearing personal trainers as our main source of motivation, rather than like-minded people pushing us to try harder and grow. But as some leading gamification innovators are proving, this doesn’t have to be the case.
The principles of gamification are very simple and are not limited to the fitness field. Gamification involves incorporating video game elements into non-video game spaces. The final product may vary, but the core idea is to make generally mundane tasks more engaging, immersive, and above all, fun. There’s also science to back it up, as research shows gamification is effective at building healthy habits and promoting activity.
Some of the big names in the fitness market, such as Peloton and Strava, have already jumped on the bandwagon by introducing gaming elements, and if you use either, you’re probably already familiar with the changes. , this movement is slowly gaining ground. All gyms, fitness companies and FitTech suppliers. The future is now, and the fitness landscape is proof of that.
“The biggest challenge facing gyms is keeping members engaged and attending classes,” says the founder of Body Fit Training (BFT), which has more than 300 fitness franchise locations around the world. says Cameron Fallon. “Gamification is a great way to leverage automation and technology as another means of motivating people. Having them compete against themselves, and even against others if they wish, is a great way to motivate people. can be improved.”
Falloon is a true fitness guru. He has worked as an elite strength and conditioning coach for several AFL teams and briefly served as Princess Diana’s personal trainer in the 90s. As CEO of one of Australia’s fastest growing fitness companies, Fallon is always looking for ways to deliver results more effectively and efficiently. So gamification is squarely in his wheelhouse.
“We implemented gamification into the BFT experience through a variety of integrated technology systems, including a bespoke heart rate monitoring system, in-studio screens, and the recent re-release of the BFT Performance App,” says Fallon. .
In the fitness industry, gamification is most easily applied to cardio, but as a studio focused on strength and conditioning, BFT has found an alternative way to implement gamification. “We needed a different solution to help our members understand when to push or pull back to control their heart rate to get the most out of each exercise,” Fallon said. says.
When it comes to exercises like running, it’s easy to associate performance with high speed, high incline, and high heart rate. However, when it comes to weightlifting, maintaining a consistently high heart rate does not necessarily lead to increased muscle growth. Instead, BFT studios require members to keep their heart rates within optimal ranges by providing a number of dedicated screens that display the desired range for each specific exercise. “The benefit of doing this through heart rate technology is that it’s not based on weight or appearance,” Fallon says. “It’s important to adjust your ability and heart rate to get the most out of your training.”
At the end of the session, BFT members are awarded medals based on how well they were able to keep their heart rate in their desired zone. Over time, you can move up to multiple levels, starting with Rookie and ending with Immortal. Member accomplishments and data are filtered back into the BFT Performance app, where users can see statistics for all completed sessions, as well as workout streaks and milestones. Fallon has no doubts about the new system’s effectiveness. “Since implementing the BFT heart rate system, our member attendance records have definitely become more consistent,” he says.
Falloon and BFT aren’t the only ones paving the way for gamification. FitTech company Vitruvian also sees gamification as the future of fitness. Vitruvian combines principles of gamification with recent developments in artificial intelligence to deliver innovative, efficient, and highly motivating workouts. “Implementing gaming elements into Vitruvian is not only about adding fun to fitness, but also leveraging these elements to create a more immersive, engaging and effective workout experience,” said Vitruvian Founder says Jon Gregory.
Vitruvian’s flagship product, Trainer+, is an all-in-one home gym package that adapts to your strengths. If you’re struggling during a set and feel like the bar is too heavy, the Trainer+ will adjust the weight to help you push through and achieve optimal results. “We integrated real-time feedback and adaptive challenges that mimic the dynamic nature of video games,” Gregory says. “Just like a game adjusts to a player’s level, Vitruvian’s technology adjusts training intensity in real time based on a user’s performance.”
Trainer+ accomplishes this by leveraging AI technology, Gregory explains. “One of the key features of our AI is the ability to dynamically adjust weight resistance in real time. The use of this technology extends to your next workout as the system tracks your performance and adapts accordingly. “This means you’re always challenged enough to grow, but not so much that you’re at risk of burnout or stagnation.”
Where Vitruvian’s gamification elements really shine is within the app. Users can track their progress with global leaderboards and the competitive edge is always motivating. Participate in challenges and connect with friends. “This approach not only keeps users engaged, but also deeply motivating them,” Gregory says. “Added layers of external competition and social interaction complement this by fostering a supportive and motivating community.”
Vitruvius plans to take its gamification even further. “We believe that fitness should be as engaging as it is effective,” says Gregory. “That’s why we’re looking at integrating real games into our training systems,” Gregory said, including interactive workout sessions and achievement-based challenges that allow users to progress through a story. This may include the introduction of “Our goal is to make users look forward to every workout session,” he says.
No matter what kind of workout you prefer, one thing is clear. That means gamification is the future of fitness. And industry experts agree. “Gamification is not only part of the future of fitness, it’s at the heart of it,” Gregory says. “The future is about combining technology, personalization, and gamification to create experiences that drive lasting lifestyle changes.” Fallon agrees. “Gamification in fitness is becoming increasingly popular and sophisticated as technology advances, and we don’t see it slowing down any time soon.”
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