Fitness Industry Roundup: Tech Makes the Gym Go Round

I’m constantly enamored by new gadgets and technology. How can people keep coming up with these fresh, exciting ideas, let alone bring them to life? It goes to show that there’s truly no end to what you can do with technology. As they say, if you can imagine it, you can achieve it!

Here’s some technology-related fitness news to catch up on this weekend.

Les Mills Workouts Now Available on Fitbit Premium Platform

Fitbit users will now have access to 25 Les Mills workouts, reports Fit Tech. While workouts will vary in intensity and equipment needs, the partnership includes Bodypump, Bodycombat, Bodyflow, and Les Mills Dance. Les Mills, an IHRSA member, and the Fitbit deal follows the launch of Fitbit’s Charge 5, which prioritizes overall wellness with a broad range of health-related features. "Charge 5 is our most advanced fitness and health tracker, with tools like an on-wrist ECG app for heart health, an EDA Scan app for stress management and more," said a Fitbit representative.

Find out more.

Uptivo Levels Up the Digital Solutions Game

In a recent Health Club Management article, Uptivo, a fitness digital platform, was featured for its powerful tools to schedule activities, manage member payments, monitor heart rate, and more. Its products offer gamification features like fully customizable challenges, rankings, and levels to drive competition during group fitness classes—on-site or remote. Uptivo, an IHRSA member, is a self-proclaimed “complete fitness ecosystem”. Part of that ecosystem is the new Uptivo Lightband, “the first heart rate monitor with integrated, effort-based LED lights that let you adjust your training intensity in the blink of an eye. Every color is tied to one’s personal training zones and maximum heart rate,” according to Uptivo’s website.

Learn more about Uptivo and its products.

EGYM Digitally Connected Exercise Experience Receives Growth Equity

Mayfair Equity Partners invested $41 million in growth equity in EGYM, a leading global fitness technology developer and IHRSA member. In reference to the partnership, Kunal Dasgupta, founding partner, Mayfair Equity Partners, said the company is thrilled to work with EGYM and develop new fitness solutions. “EGYM is at the forefront of digitizing the fitness ecosystem, creating a connected workout experience for club members that seamlessly integrates equipment, software, and services,” he said. A recent press release notes that more than 13,000 facilities worldwide use EGYM products and services, and at the beginning of 2021, over 13 million users were registered for EGYM Digital.

Read the full release.

Planet Fitness Commits to Expand & Enhance Accessible Exercise Equipment

In collaboration with the Paralyzed Veterans of America, National Council on Independent Living, and American Council of the Blind, Planet Fitness, an IHRSA member, recently committed to expand access to inclusive equipment. “As a leader in the industry and home of the Judgement Free Zone, it is our mission to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment to anyone who comes through our doors,” said Chris Rondeau, Planet Fitness CEO, in a recent press release. “Today’s commitment is another way we are working to eliminate barriers and enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience for everyone.” The new equipment—dual cable strength machines, recumbent cardio machines and bikes, and more—enables those who use a wheelchair to perform exercises and will include raised tactile buttons and audible feedback for users who are blind.

Read more.

Has your health or fitness-related business been featured in the news recently? We want to know! Send a link to any news article or video that highlighted your business to pr@ihrsa.org, and we may include it in a future issue of the Fitness Industry Roundup.