January 27, 2022
Eyes4Research
Since the dawn of human civilization 5,000 years ago, humans have constantly strove to improve their minds and bodies. When it comes to the latter, it’s only been in recent decades that physical exercise has truly become an “industry,” and within the last ten years things have changed rapidly. Rising obesity rates, evolving technology, and the COVID-19 virus have combined to ensure that the way we workout will never be the same, whether at the gym or at home.
The result of this new and still ongoing trend is that consumers and companies have become more creative and innovative when it comes to the fitness industry, and for consumers that mean more choices. Consumers are no longer stuck having to choose between the home gym and the traditional gym because new technology has brought the home gym into the 21st century. As technology progresses, the home gym is looking more and more like the traditional gym in many ways.
These new technologies are reshaping not only the type of equipment available to consumers but also the very nature of exercise. For example, in 2020, during the height of nationwide lockdowns, shares in the leading virtual home gym company, Peloton, surged more than 440% while leading traditional gym Plant Fitness’ stocked slowed to a 4% gain. Overall, sales of Peloton in the United States increased by 85% from its 2019 numbers to reach $3.7 billion in sales, and this wasn’t just limited to Peloton. Sales of all home exercise equipment were up 20% over through August and 108% on a two-year basis. Although this trend has slowed up a bit since the lockdowns have ended, it’s still strong and presents many opportunities for consumer and investors alike.
Peloton is the best known of these digital/virtual home gyms, but there are a number of other brands riding the trend, most notably Tonal and The Mirror. All of these virtual gyms offer a number of benefits for consumers that include savings, convenience, safety, quality, and eventually, as more units sell, lower prices. The virtual gym trend also presents investment and business opportunities for those willing to take some risks and ride the wave. So, let’s take a look at the virtual gym craze, how it started, and what we can expect in the next few years.
The Birth of the Home Gym
When the fairly new technology of television merged with fitness in 1951, the world was introduced to the concept of working out at home. American fitness guru Jack LaLanne first went on TV with his fitness shows in 1951, and although they were geared toward a female audience, they helped set the new trend of the home gym. Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda, among many others, then followed LaLanne’s success up during the 1980s with their own TV shows and video tapes.
The calisthenics and cardio that was usually featured on these TV shows and videotapes was supplemented by an array of exercise equipment that began hitting the market in the 1950s, many of which were silly and didn’t work. For example, sauna suits were advertised as an easy way to sweat off the pounds but were probably more dangerous than anything. Other devices included vibrating belts that were supposed to jiggle off fat and gravity boots for doing whatever it was they were supposed to do. Although most of these devices gathered more dust in the corners of garages than they saw use, a few, such as the NordicTrack, proved to be a bridge from that era to the present trend of virtual gyms.
The Major Players in the Virtual Gym Craze
Let’s take a closer look at the leading virtual gym company, some of its products, and what consumers can expect in the future. Peloton was founded in 2012, but for years was somewhat of a niche product that combined state-of-the-art exercise bikes with online classes owners of the bikes take at home. When the COVID lockdowns hit in early 2020, though, Peloton took off, raking in more than $1.8 billion in revenue that year and today boasts more than 4.4 million subscribers who pay for its bike, treadmill, and standalone membership programs.
Peloton’s signature exercise bike costs just under $1,500 and the monthly price for all-access membership is $39, but many consumers believe it’s worth it as gym memberships are usually more, and sometimes quite a bit more depending on the location. Peloton has also expanded its footprint in the industry by selling treadmills and offering strength training and other classes. Peloton is by far the leader in terms of market share, but it does have two notable competitors worth mentioning.
Number two in market share is The Mirror, which was launched in 2018. The Mirror is a full-length, wall mounted reflective screen, which like Peloton, offers a variety of trainer led fitness courses for the owner. The cost of The Mirror and monthly membership is about the same as Peloton, but it focuses on aerobics, calisthenics, and stretching. Driven by a combination of marketing and world of mouth, The Mirror is expected to make $275 million in 2021.
The final virtual gym to consider here is Tonal. Tonal, which hit the market in 2014, was the idea of Aly Orady, who wanted a convenient way to strength train without all the weights. Tonal has a similar interface as The Mirror, but as its focus is strength training it has one arm on each side of the device that can be adjusted for different exercises. A Tonal machine will cost you just shy of $3,000, and a monthly membership is $49 a month, which makes it the most expensive of the three major virtual gyms but it’s been getting some of the most positive press lately. NBA star Lebron James and other professional athletes have endorsed Tonal, which will no doubt help spur its $76 million in yearly revenue to higher levels.
Consumer Benefits of Virtual Gyms
Some of the basic benefits that consumers can expect in this virtual gym craze have already been mentioned, but let’s dive a little deeper. Although all of these machines are relatively expensive, many consumers believe they pay for themselves. As mentioned earlier, the monthly subscriptions for these machines is lower than most gym memberships. Also, as competition picks up between these companies, and other competitors enter the fray, expect the prices to drop. Tempo is a Mirror type device that sells for about a third of the price of The Mirror, so expect it to gain a bigger share of the market. While money is a major consumer benefit of virtual home gyms, most consumers cite their convenience and other related issues as their greatest advantage.
As people have become accustomed to working at home in the post-COVID world, many have also found that they can stay just as fit at home with virtual gyms. Consumers can save on gas, spend more time with their families, and avoid the crowds, stares, and goons that are often part of the landscape of modern gyms. Additionally, those worried about future outbreaks of COVID strains, or other communicable illnesses for that matter, see virtual home gyms as a safe alternative to traditional gyms.
Evolving Fitness Trends
The end of lockdowns has brought about another change in the fitness landscape and with it, newer trends and investment opportunities. A 35% drop in Peloton stock in November 2021 frightened some, but others saw it as an opportunity to “buy the dip.” Peloton’s drop also gave investors and consumers a chance to put the new fitness paradigm into perspective.
Experts say that although home exercise has become more routine for a large segment of the population, there has been a rush back to traditional gyms. Still, the demand for virtual gyms will stay strong and new hybrid model of exercise – some routines in traditional gyms and other routines at home – is beginning to develop, forcing some forward thinking traditional gym owners to get in front of the trend.
Many traditional gyms have taken a page from Peloton and the other virtual gym companies by offering digital platforms and enhanced apps with new streaming workouts. Fitness chains with devoted followings, such as Orangetheory, Barry’s Bootcamp, and Life Time Fitness have adjusted their business model to offer variety of in-home workout options to their members, which is a trend that is sure to continue.
The Future of Fitness
In the last few years, the combination of unforeseen events and rapidly evolving technology have forever changed the way we exercise. The emergence of virtual gyms is a trend that will continue in the next several years, although expect it to slow somewhat as traditional gyms reopen and consumers see the benefits of a hybrid exercise routine.
Consumers will continue to support virtual gyms due to convenience and safety, and as the prices drop due to increased competition from more affordable brands such as Tempo, sales should remain study.
Increasing hybrid exercise patterns are also potential opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs with the vision to see that there is a place in the future for traditional gyms, but the successful ones will have to adapt to new technologies and learn how to integrate the old with the new.
September 3, 2020
Eyes4Research
Many companies have adopted methods of gamification to engage and motivate their target audience with intrinsic rewards. Gamification is the process of integrating game mechanics into non-game environments, such as websites, learning management systems, or online communities, to increase engagement through rewards such as points, badges, discounts, and gifts. By using game mechanics and dynamics, gamification provides users with feedback and proactive directives that influence audience behavior to help accomplish business goals and objectives. In addition to increasing audience participation and engagement, gamification provides useful insights that help businesses adjust the way consumers and employees interact with company platforms.
Benefits of Gamification
By implementing game-like interfaces to enhance both employee and consumer engagement, the utilization of gamification strategies provides businesses with several benefits. For one, gamification in learning management systems helps current employees and recruits retain information while learning how to best perform at their job. Gamifying onboarding processes, skill assessments, and professional development create a more interactive user experience leading to optimal engagement and improved performance.
In addition to using gamification for employee educational purposes, game dynamics and mechanics are useful to engage consumers. For online businesses, creating an interactive experience with the extrinsic motivation of coupons, free products, or early access to deals may boost sales by providing customers with the incentives needed to follow through with their purchase. Invoking reward linked loyalty programs and interactive play-to-win modules motivate consumers to participate in promotions through a fun, interactive user experience.
The Future of Gamification
As gamification continues to grow, new technologies and strategies may help further increase audience engagement. The utilization of augmented and virtual reality technologies will help create a more immersive user experience, as headsets create a sensory-rich environment to promote interactive learning. VR and AR technologies may also revolutionize the traditional shopping experience, allowing consumers to visit showrooms and sample products from any location.
As gamification continues to advance, programs may also allow for more personalization amongst users through machine learning and AI technology. By transforming user behavior and feedback into data analytics, gamified programs may better curate experiences to the user’s abilities and provide more personalized feedback to help set more specific goals. Personalization of gamification strategies may also help businesses better target consumers by customizing the brand experience to increase customer engagement and retention. With the continuing adoption of gamification strategies, interactions between companies and their target audience may improve significantly, helping businesses reach their overall objectives.
Learn more about Eyes4Research’s community management platform for research and how we use gamification to increase audience participation by visiting www.eyes4research.com.
August 31, 2020
Eyes4Research
Digital transformation refers to the creation or modification of operational, organizational, and cultural business practices using digital technologies. By automating manual business operations, DX increases efficiency, optimizes processes, and enhances customer experiences. With this, digital transformation helps businesses reshape their internal and external approaches to become more agile and effective.
Operational Approaches
Digital transformation aims to achieve optimal operational efficiency without compromising the customer experience. When moving towards an agile and flexible structure, organizations must identify digital strengths and weaknesses to integrate appropriate technologies into the mainline of businesses. Common digital operational approaches include cloud computing, interfaces, and IoT devices. With these technologies, employees are more connected than ever before, helping to simplify remote operations to increase productivity and save businesses time and money.
Cultural Approaches
When implementing digital technologies into the workplace, organizations must ensure that the transformation aligns with the company’s culture. To build an enduring digital culture, it remains critical for organizations to clearly articulate the strategy, goals, and purpose of the transformation to successfully adopt new practices.
Digital transformation promotes a high-performance culture, encouraging an external orientation to enhance the customer experience. In addition to forwarding relationship-based business, DX empowers employees to deliver fast results, putting emphasis on action over planning and eliminating explicit instructions to guide performance. With this, employees must engage in cross-functional collaboration to make effective and fast pace decisions for optimal results.
Failing to consider company culture when undertaking digital transformation may hinder its progress. Without clear goals, employees may be reluctant to embrace new technologies, causing morale to suffer. The misalignment of DX goals and employee values may also create difficulties when attracting new talent, inhibiting cohesion, and advancement. With this, business leaders must guide employees through process and structural changes, eliciting new behaviors through coaching and incentives to emphasize expectations for successful execution.
August 3, 2020
Eyes4Research
The digital divide refers to the disparity in access to information and communication technologies based on geographical, social, and geopolitical criteria. As students begin returning to school amidst the pandemic, those without access to ICT are left at a disadvantage, as they are unable to complete technology-based learning curriculums. With this, the digital divide has become a national emergency, forcing school districts to reevaluate the role of technology in the classroom and how unequal access to digital devices inhibits the success of underprivileged children.
Disadvantages of the Digital Divide
The widening technological gap has many long-lasting implications that make it difficult for low income and rural students to achieve the same level of educational excellence as their peers. Those with ICT hold a competitive advantage over those who do not, as their easy access to educational resources, online assignments, and overall grasp of technological programs increases student productivity in the classroom and provides a convenient learning experience. For students without access to these technologies, completing assignments may take hours, as a lack of digital devices in the household and access to helpful resources prevents students from completing the same caliber work as others. Some students may need to travel to secondary locations to work on assignments, an option that may become unavailable due to the pandemic.
With schooling going completely remote, access to technology remains essential to attend virtual lessons and complete assignments. According to the FCC, 20% of rural American children do not have access to broadband internet, making it impossible to implement a 100% online curriculum. To adapt, many schools are creating tangible homework packets to provide students an alternative method to complete assignments and receive feedback from teachers by mail. Despite this method, students lack the face to face learning experience and guidance they may need to succeed, putting them behind peers who have access to online lectures that allow them to communicate with educators more efficiently than those without technology.
How to Bridge the Gap
To lessen the digital divide between students to create education equity, communities must work together to provide resources for children outside of their homes and school. Public libraries, community centers, coffee shops, and other public areas can help bridge the gap by investing in computers for public use. Though many schools do not have the funding to provide students with their own laptops, offering digital devices and wireless internet access throughout the building to use before and after school provides underprivileged students with the resources they need to complete assignments. With the pandemic forcing many of these public spaces to close, implementing a program to check out portable hotspots may help children have internet access at home. Despite these efforts, there is much work to be done to ensure all students have an equal opportunity for success. A lack of funding in schools creates limitations with resource accessibility and remote accommodations. With online learning becoming the future of schools, closing the digital divide has never been more important.