Get Connected

Don’t want to schlep to the gym to get your exercise RDA? The latest breed of connected machines will bring studio workouts to you

- Sarah Ivory

If you’ve got zero motivation to go to the gym, you’re not alone – more than one in 10 people say they haven’t stepped inside their gym for an entire year. And it’s no wonder, given that we busy Brits claim to be too tired or overworked to keep fit. But there is another shape-up method that could fit seamlessly into your schedule and get you just as fit – home workouts. No longer a second-rate option – forget fitness DVDs and bodyweight circuits – home exercise is becoming luxurious, thanks to a growing breed of subscription apps and expensive kit. The latest must-have gadget? Connected (or smart) machines, which use smart technology to connect with apps that stream live or on-demand content. If you’re looking for convenience, these machines will bring you all the benefits of a hard workout without any of the hassle.

NEW BEGINNINGS

Chances are you’ve already heard of Peloton, the billion pound New York fitness company loved by the likes of David Beckham and Hugh Jackman. Peloton at-home bikes are equipped with a 22-inch touchscreen that lets you tune into live or on-demand cycling classes. The options are vast – 20 minutes of Tabata intervals, 60-minute power ride, 45 minutes of climbing – and, because you can book into live classes, you feel just as accountable for doing your workout as you do with a gym class. ‘We created a new category within the connected fitness market when we launched the Peloton Bike,’ says Kevin Cornils, Peloton managing director. ‘It offers the very best of fitness and technology, connecting riders to thousands of workouts led by the world’s best instructors.’ Indeed, a Peloton Bike workout boasts all the benefits of a Spin class – adrenaline rush, pumping music, motivational instructor, calorie burn – minus the time lost through travel.