While wearables have been a great way for individuals to track cardio-based workouts such as walking, running, and cycling, a few angles are missing from the broader experience; they’re not often specialized to effectively track strength training, and while they’re connected to the body of the person wearing it they’re not usually connected to the equipment they’re using, or a trainer they’re following at their gym.
Gymtrack is a company developing a new breed of sensors which enable users to accurately enhance and track their gym workouts through wearables intelligence, equipment connectivity, and the ability to host virtual training sessions with stored generic exercises or programs designed by specific personal trainers at each gym. The company is trying to revolutionize the gym experience for both members and facilities; more effective methods of engagement for the members, and additional possible revenue streams for gyms (not to mention the “cool” factor).
Gymtrack currently includes over 200 exercises around cardio, free weights, general fitness, and more. But the real benefit is the individually customized experiences for each member. Because the wearables connect to each user’s personal instance of the Gymtrack app, members can have their workouts and goals tracked over time without having to own a personal fitbit – they can just use the ones supplied by the gym.
During each workout, members are also able to perform, track and refine their personal workouts with extreme precision because the wearable device and the app is connected to the individual pieces of equipment being used in the exercises, be it a seated row machine, a squat rack or a kettle bell. The member simply swipes the wristband over the sensor on each piece of equipment in their routine and the app feeds them real-time audio instructions and progress updates.
Gymtrack also stands out with their virtual training programs. The virtual training feature in the Gymtrack app enables gym members to view and select personal trainers working at their particular gym. Once the user selects a trainer, they’re able to connect with them to develop a personalized fitness regimen and follow plans that are personal favorites to those trainers. Because it is all centralized on one platform, one trainer can track and adjust the programs of multiple members remotely and asynchronously so that people can still get the benefits of a personal trainer’s attention without having to adjust their schedules to always accommodate live sessions.
Although it’s a fairly advanced system, gym goers don’t need to change their fitness routines in order to get the benefits. To get started, they just need to grab a wristband and pair it to their phone (after downloading the app). As they switch equipment, they just need to tap the wristband on the Gymtrack sensor. The Gymtrack sensors can be added to existing equipment, or gym owners can purchase equipment with the technology built in.
As you would expect from a fitness wearable, beyond the instruction and programs, the app shows essential information such as calories burned, muscle groups which were worked out, minutes in gym, the amount of weight lifted and more.
Gym workout tracking isn’t necessarily a brand new concept. Life Fitness for example developed LF Codes back in 2013. These were QR codes that users could scan with a companion mobile app. From there they could log their workout information with a few taps.
While Gymtrack is heavily oriented towards the gym-goer, behind there are a few features which help gym owners improve operations and boost customer satisfaction. As customers track their workouts with the software, Gymtrack logs equipment usage in real-time and delivers alerts when the machines are due for maintenance. Gym owners also can view exercise usages and Virtual Personal Training metrics through their dashboard.
To date, Gymtrack has raised a $2.5M seed round from Real Ventures and White Star Capital. Interested gym owners can arrange a demo via the form on the official website. No pricing appears to be publicly accessible.
