The Digital Fitness Trend: What to Try & Who to Know

Choosing to avoid the gym in light of the current coronavirus outbreak? These days there are plenty of ways to work out from home, thanks to a surge in fitness apps, streaming services, hi-tech wearables and cutting-edge equipment. And it’s a world that’s only going to get bigger – Mintel predicts the UK digital fitness industry will grow to £5.3bn by 2023 (it’s currently worth £4.9bn). Here we highlight some of the best digital fitness trends and at-home workout services to try.

The Digital Fitness Trend: What to Try & Who to Know

Fiit

Fiit offers a range of exercise classes through an app, streamed through a device onto your TV. A chest strap is used to track heart rate, calories and reps, while real-time performance feedback keeps users motivated. Trainers on their books include Adrienne Herbert, Steph Elswood and Richie Norton, with classes ranging from HIIT to strength training to breathwork. From £10 a month. fiit.tv

Soul Sanctuary

Prefer getting zen from the comfort of your living room? Give yoga guru Cat Meffan’s Soul Sanctuary platform a go. Each month you’ll get two 65-75 minute yoga flows, two 30-minute yoga flows, a guided meditation, movement breakdown videos and a live Q&A – plus access to the archive of classes from the past year. From £22 a month. catmeffan.com

P.volve

Famous for honing the bodies of Victoria’s Secret models, P.volve is a workout that can be done from home via an app or streaming platform. Created by Stephen Pasterino, it involves using specialised equipment including an ankle weight (the p.3) and a ball which you strap in between your thighs (the p.ball). Expect low-impact workouts which revolve around isolation movements, using elements of barre and pilates. Equipment from £24, streaming access to videos from £12.80 a month. pvolve.com

SWEAT: Kayla Itsines

Kayla Itsines was one of the first fitness influencers – and she’s now one of the world’s most famous, with over 12 million followers on Instagram. She first sprung onto the scene with workout programme Bikini Body Guide (BBG), which launched a worldwide online fitness community. This developed into hugely popular SWEAT: Kayla Itsines app, which she created alongside fiancé Tobi Pearce. This offers a wide selection of 28-minute workouts, alongside recipes and lifestyle tips. £14.99 a month. sweat.com

Centr

Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth is behind this wellness app, which offers not just workouts, but meal plans, guided meditations and motivational content. Classes on offer include HIIT, boxing, yoga, strength training and MMA, with options for everyone from beginners to pros. From £7.83 a month. centr.com

Peloton

By far the priciest option in this list, buying a Peloton bike will set you back a whopping £2000 – and that’s without the essential extras, such as cleats and hand weights. Each bike is equipped with a 22-inch HD sweat-proof screen, allowing users to tune in to live spinning classes. A New-York based fitness company, Peloton has a vast and fast-growing rider community both in the States and in the UK – including the likes of Michelle Obama, Leonardo DiCaprio and David Beckham. Bikes from £1990. onepeloton.co.uk

Freeletics

Billed as a digital personal trainer, Freeletics is an app offering a variety of running, bodyweight and gym workouts, alongside short fitness challenges. The USP here is The Coach, which manifests as demo videos, tutorials, and personalised plans created using clever algorithms, comparing your data with other users on a similar fitness journey. There are over 900 workouts to choose from, ranging from 10 to 25 minutes long.£1.78 a week for training; £2.66 including nutrional information. freeletics.com

Aaptiv

Gain access to over 2,500 audio-guided workout classes via your phone with on-demand fitness app Aaptiv. Around 30 new sessions are added each week, from strength training to yoga, alongside tailored programmes for aspiring racers. £11.40 a month. aaptiv.com

Technogym x 1Rebel

Italian fitness giant Technogym recently launched a rival for Peloton, allowing people to take part in spinning classes live from the Victoria branch of London fitness studio 1Rebel. The Technogym bike is slightly pricier than Peloton (costing £2,450), with a monthly subscription cost of £39. This will give you unlimited access to RIDE classes: notoriously tough, but made better with top-notch instructors, Ibiza-style tunes and special effects. Bikes from £2,250, subscription from £39 a month. technogym.com

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