2 min
Amsterdam, 08 June 2021
Technology is breaking down barriers, democratising the health and fitness industry and making it more accessible to people, according to Hugo Braam, the Co-Founder and CEO of leading fitness technology provider Virtuagym.
Speaking as a guest panellist for the World Health Organisation (WHO) as part of its ‘‘reINVENT & reBUILD’ webinar series, Braam sssed that the increasing adoption of digital fitness is enabling people to better engage with holistic health and wellness irrespective of their backgrounds, motivations or preferences.
During the discussion on how to create a fairer physical activity and sport system, Braam summarised that:
- The product of fitness hasn’t been designed to be accessible for all, being ultimately limited to those who have an intrinsic motivation to work out alone or can afford a Personal Trainer regularly
- The pre-existing digital fitness trend has been accelerated in the past year and has permanently transformed the fitness landscape
- Increasing numbers of fitness businesses are pivoting to provide a member offering that combines the physical and the digital, which is enabling more personalised, meaningful and varied member experiences with people able to workout how, when and where they want
- Through automation and product differentiation, technology can also help make fitness more accessible for other target groups
- In the long-term, this enhancement in accessibility and variety can play an integral part growing the professional fitness industry and supporting people to participate in regular physical activity and create sustainable lifetime change
Braam stated:
“We have witnessed how technology has allowed many fitness businesses to keep going despite the restrictions of the pandemic, providing support with processes and new ways of engagement outside of the four walls of their closed facilities. Crucially, technology has also been able to make important contributions towards providing more holistic health services.”
“Moving forwards I believe that technology can take away barriers to people and build their confidence, experience and knowledge. It can be the means to reach the many people not keeping active. The role of technology within the industry is here to stay and I am excited that we are only at the beginning of the innovation and impact it can have upon fitness and health.”
