Fitness

10 Best Selling Treadmills for Quick and Effective Home Cardio Workouts in India

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2024

10 Best Selling Treadmills for Quick and Effective Home Cardio Workouts in India

10 Best Selling Treadmills In India: In today’s sedentary lifestyles, staying active and prioritizing health is crucial. Treadmills provide a reliable solution, offering a convenient and effective way to exercise at home. This guide to the top 10 treadmills is designed to help you make an informed decision, whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just starting your health journey. When choosing a best treadmill for home use, consider several factors. Firstly, the motor power plays a crucial role in determining the treadmill’s performance. Opt for one with a powerful motor that suits your workout intensity and weight. Pay attention to the size and quality of the running surface, especially if you have a long stride or prefer a wider space.

Another key consideration for the best treadmill for home is the inclination levels. Some treadmills offer manual or automatic inclination settings, providing the option to simulate uphill or downhill running for varied workouts targeting different muscle groups. Check the treadmill’s maximum weight capacity to ensure it can safely support your weight. Look out for the treadmills with desirable features such as pre-set workout programs, heart rate monitoring, Bluetooth connectivity, and more to enhance your workout experience. If you have limited space at home, consider a foldable treadmill that can be easily stored when not in use. Lastly, don’t overlook the importance of a good warranty and reliable customer support. These factors ensure you can receive assistance in case of any issues with the treadmill.

Read More: Best Selling Treadmill For Home

10 Best Selling Treadmills In India: Our Top Picks

We’ve put together a list of the top 10 home treadmills in India to assist you in making a well-informed choice. Whether you need a compact, foldable, or technologically advanced treadmill, we’ve got the options for you. Keep reading to know the best treadmill for your home that fits your needs and lifestyle.

10 Best Selling Treadmills For Home	Price In India
Durafit Panther Multifunction	Rs 44,998
Durafit – Sturdy, Stable and Strong Surge	Rs 29,998
WELCARE MAXPRO PTM405M 2HP	Rs 29,898
Durafit Strong 4 HP Peak DC Motor Treadmill	Rs 26,998
PowerMax Fitness TD-M1 2HP	Rs 24,999
PowerMax Fitness TDM-98	Rs 18,499
Lifelong FitPro Manual Incline Motorized Treadmill for Home	Rs 17,499
Sparnod Fitness STH-1200 Motorized Treadmill for Home Use	Rs 17,499
Sparnod Fitness STH-1250 Treadmill for Home Use	Rs 16,999
Fitkit by Cult.Sport FT98 Carbon	Rs 13,999

1) Durafit Panther Multifunction

Durafit Treadmill is crafted for durability and strength and designed to withstand rigorous workouts and provide you with unmatched stability. With its sleek black color, this treadmill adds a touch of elegance to your home gym. This treadmill is made from high-quality Alloy Steel, it offers exceptional reliability. This treadmill comes with a 1-year warranty on the treadmill, ensuring hassle-free usage. Choose between free installation provided at your doorstep or opt for DIY installation with the help of instructional videos and expert assistance.

Equipped with a powerful 2.75 HP CHP DC motor (5.5 HP Peak Output), this treadmill offers a speed range of 1-18 km/hr, allowing you to customize your workout intensity. The spacious running area of 1335*460 mm provides ample space for comfortable running or walking. Take your workout to the next level with the best treadmill for the home offering 18 levels of auto incline, allowing you to simulate various terrains and intensify your training. With a maximum user weight capacity of 130kg for walking and 100kg for running, this treadmill accommodates users of different fitness levels. Stay informed and motivated during your workout with the wide LCD that shows time, speed, distance, calories, and pulse rate. Convenient handrail controls allow you to adjust speed and incline without interrupting your workout. Durafit Treadmill Price: Rs 44,998

Specifications Of Durafit Panther Multifunction

Material: ‎Alloy Steel
Special Feature: Auto Incline
Recommended Uses For Product‎: Home Cardio Workout
Target Audience: ‎Adult
Speed Rating: 18 km per hour

Pros

Quality
Ease Of Installation
Performance

Cons

2) Durafit – Sturdy, Stable and Strong Surge

Durafit Treadmill is renowned for its sturdiness, stability, and strength. This treadmill weighing 46 Kilograms, strikes the perfect balance between compactness and robustness. The treadmill features a powerful DC motor (4.5 HP Peak Output), this treadmill offers a maximum speed of 14 kilometers per hour, catering to users of varying fitness levels. The spacious running area of 1170×405 mm provides ample space for comfortable workouts.

10 Best Selling Treadmills for Quick and Effective Home Cardio Workouts in India

You will get a versatile training option with 18 levels of auto incline, with the treadmill allowing you to simulate different terrains and intensify your workouts. The treadmill has a maximum user weight capacity of 120 kg for walking and 90 kg for running, ensuring stability and safety during your workouts.n Enjoy the convenience of preset programs, with 4 SA model programs designed to challenge and motivate you toward your fitness goals. Durafit Treadmill Price: Rs 29,998

Specifications Of Durafit – Sturdy, Stable, and Strong Surge

Special Feature: Foldable
Target Audience: Adult, Youth
Maximum Horsepower: ‎4 Horsepower
Display Type: ‎LCD
Power Source: ‎Corded Electric

Pros

Cons

3) WELCARE MAXPRO PTM405M 2HP

Bring the best treadmill for home fitness with the WELCARE Multipurpose Home Use Treadmill, designed to help you achieve your fitness goals conveniently and effectively. This treadmill is designed for home use and provides a convenient workout solution for your home gym. The Treadmill comes in a sleek black color, making it an ideal addition to any home gym setup. Weighing 50 Kilograms, it strikes the perfect balance between stability and portability.

10 Best Selling Treadmills for Quick and Effective Home Cardio Workouts in India

This treadmill for home delivers ample power for interval, speed, or endurance training. The 3-level manual incline feature adds intensity to your workouts, while the multi-function capabilities, including a massager, sit-up, and two 1 kg dumbbells, provide versatility for a full-body workout experience. With a maximum user weight capacity of 110 kg and 12 pre-set programs, this treadmill offers efficient and effective workouts for users of all levels. Monitor your heart rate with built-in thumb sensors, ensuring you stay within your target heart rate zone throughout your workout. WELCARE Treadmill Price: Rs 29,898

Specifications Of WELCARE MAXPRO PTM405M 2HP

Material: ‎Alloy Steel
Maximum Speed: ‎14 Kilometers per Hour
Special Feature: ‎Folding
Target Audience: Adult, Youth
Maximum Horsepower: 4 Horsepower
Display Type: ‎LCD
Power Source: Electric

Pros

Quality
Ease Of Installation

Cons

Read More: Best Selling Treadmills For Home In India

4) Durafit Strong 4 HP Peak DC Motor Treadmill

Durafit Treadmill – your ultimate fitness companion for a sturdy, stable, and strong workout trail. In sleek black color and compact dimensions of 138D x 69W x 132H Centimeters, this treadmill seamlessly blends into any home gym setup. Weighing 34 Kilograms and crafted from alloy steel, it ensures durability and reliability for long-lasting performance. This treadmill features a powerful 2.0 HP CHP motor (4.0 HP Peak Output) that offers robust performance for your workout sessions. With a running area of 1100×400 mm and a speed range of 1.0-14 km/hr, it caters to users of all fitness levels and goals.

10 Best Selling Treadmills for Quick and Effective Home Cardio Workouts in India

Experience versatile workouts with the 3 levels of manual incline that allow you to intensify your training and target different muscle groups. The run belt thickness of 1.4mm ensures durability and comfort during your runs. The treadmill keeps you informed and motivated with the wide LCD, which provides real-time data on time, speed, distance, and calories burned. Convenient handrail controls allow you to start, stop, and adjust the speed with ease, enhancing your workout experience. Durafit Treadmill Price: Rs 26,998

Specifications Of Durafit Strong 4 HP Peak DC Motor Treadmill

Maximum user weight capacity of 120kg for walking and 90kg for running
95% pre-installation setup
1-year warranty on the treadmill
The treadmill’s hydraulic system allows easy folding and unfolding, making it compact for storage.
The treadmill, equipped with wheels, can be easily moved anywhere in the house.

Pros

Cons

5) PowerMax Fitness TD-M1 2HP

PowerMax Fitness UrbanTrek TD-M1 Motorized Treadmill is your ultimate fitness companion for achieving your health and wellness goals. With a weight of 50 Kilograms, it offers stability and durability for a reliable workout experience. This treadmill features a powerful 2.0HP DC motor, the UrbanTrek TD-M1 delivers smooth and consistent performance. With a maximum user weight capacity of 100 kg and a spacious running surface of 47.6 x 16.1 inches (1210 x 410mm), it accommodates users of all fitness levels. This treadmill gives you an experience of versatile workouts with 2 levels of manual incline and a speed range of 1.0 – 14.0km/hr. Monitor your progress with the 10cm LCD, which provides real-time data on time, speed, distance, heart rate, calories burned, and program settings.

10 Best Selling Treadmills for Quick and Effective Home Cardio Workouts in India

Choose from 12 pre-set programs and 3 target-based modes to customize your workout according to your fitness goals. Plus, stay informed about your heart rate with the built-in heart rate sensor. Experience a smooth and quiet treadmill experience, thanks to the precision-machined, steel-crowned rollers of the UrbanTrek TD-M1. These rollers maintain belt alignment, minimizing noise and wear for long-lasting performance. PowerMax Treadmill Price: Rs 24,999

Specifications Of PowerMax Fitness TD-M1 2HP

Material: Alloy Steel
Special Feature: Built-In Speaker, Bluetooth, Shock Absorbent, Manual Incline, Foldable
Recommended Uses For Product: Walking, Sprinting, Running, HIIT, Jogging
Maximum Horsepower: 4 Horsepower
Power Source: ‎Corded Electric
Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth
Sport: ‎Exercise & Fitness

Pros

Easy to assemble
Value for money

Cons

6) PowerMax Fitness TDM-98

PowerMax Fitness treadmill is your reliable companion for achieving your fitness goals in the comfort of your own home. In a sleek grey color and measuring 143D x 63.5W x 106.5H Centimeters, this treadmill is designed to fit seamlessly into your living space. With a weight of 30 Kilograms, it offers portability without compromising on stability. Equipped with a powerful 1.75HP DC motor, the PowerMax Fitness treadmill delivers smooth and consistent performance. With a maximum user weight capacity of 100 kg and a spacious running surface of 43.3 x 15.7 inches (1100 x 400mm), it accommodates users of all fitness levels.

10 Best Selling Treadmills for Quick and Effective Home Cardio Workouts in India

Experience versatile workouts with the best treadmill for the home, which offers a speed range of 1.0 – 10.0km/hr, suitable for users of varying fitness levels. Monitor your progress with the 14cm LED display, which provides real-time data on time, speed, distance, calories burned, and heart rate. Choose from 12 pre-set workout programs and 3 target-based modes to customize your workout according to your fitness goals. Plus, stay informed about your heart rate with the built-in heart rate sensor. For added convenience, the treadmill is equipped with wheels for easy transportation, allowing you to move it around your home with ease. PowerMax Treadmill Price: Rs 18,499

Specifications Of PowerMax Fitness TDM-98

Material: ‎Alloy Steel
Special Feature: Wheeled
Target Audience: ‎All
Maximum Horsepower: 3.5 Horsepower
Display Type: ‎LED
Power Source: ‎Corded Electric
Minimum Speed: 1 Kilometer per Hour

Pros

Cons

Read More: Best Treadmill For Home

7) Lifelong FitPro Manual Incline Motorized Treadmill for Home

This treadmill comes in black and measuring that seamlessly blends into any living space. Despite its strong features, it maintains a manageable weight of 31000 Grams, making it easy to move and store as needed. Experience versatility in your workouts with 12 pre-set workout programs, allowing you to customize your exercise routine for weight loss training and endurance training. The treadmill features 8 rubber pads under the deck for shock absorption, ensuring a comfortable workout experience while minimizing the impact on your joints.

10 Best Selling Treadmills for Quick and Effective Home Cardio Workouts in India

This treadmill offers speeds ranging from 0 to 12 km/hr to meet your varying fitness needs. The Comfort Cell cushioning technology, coupled with the shock-absorbing design, provides optimal support and comfort during your workout sessions. The treadmill’s running belt features an anti-skid rubber surface and a high-density construction for maximum safety and comfort. With a large 6-layer running belt, you’ll have ample space to walk, run, or sprint with confidence. Lifelong Treadmill Price: Rs 17,499

Specifications Lifelong FitPro Manual Incline Motorized Treadmill for Home

Special Feature: Shock Absorbent, Manual Incline, Foldable
Target Audience: Adult
Maximum Horsepower: ‎2.5 Horsepower
Material: ‎Alloy Steel
Power Source: Electric

Pros

Ease of assembly
Performance

Cons

8) Sparnod Fitness STH-1200 Motorized Treadmill for Home Use

This treadmill for home comes in a sleek black color and is designed to fit seamlessly into any space. Weighing just 30 kilograms, it’s easy to move and store as needed. Featuring hassle-free assembly with an easy self-installation feature. Designed for DIY assembly, setting up this treadmill is quick and effortless. Onsite installation assistance is also available for added convenience.

10 Best Selling Treadmills for Quick and Effective Home Cardio Workouts in India

Experience the power of the 1.75 HP continuous and 3 HP peak efficient DC motor, ensuring smooth and efficient performance. With a maximum user weight capacity of up to 100 kg, this treadmill is built for durability and stability. The treadmill’s functional design includes a foldable frame and transportation wheels, making it ideal for smaller spaces. This treadmill has a speed range of 1-12 km/h and caters to various fitness needs, whether walking, jogging, or running. Stay motivated and track your progress with the LED display, which showcases distance, speed, time, and calories burned. Choose from 12 preset workout programs to enhance your exercise routine and achieve your fitness targets. Sparnod Treadmill Price: Rs 17,499

Specifications Of Sparnod Fitness STH-1200 Motorized Treadmill for Home Use

Material: Alloy Steel
Special Feature: Built-In Speaker, Manual Incline, Foldable, Water Bottle Holder, Heart Rate Monitor
Recommended Uses For Product: ‎Cardio Workout, Walking, Jogging, Running
Target Audience: Youth, Adult
Maximum Horsepower: 3 Horsepower
Minimum Speed: ‎1 Kilometer per Hour

Pros

Ease of assembly
Thickness

Cons

9) Sparnod Fitness STH-1250 Treadmill for Home Use

This treadmill is designed with convenience in mind, and easy to assemble with its DIY setup. With a sturdy build and a maximum user weight capacity of 100 kg, this treadmill is built to last. Its compact design makes it ideal for smaller spaces. Sparnod treadmill features a powerful 1.75 HP continuous and 3 HP peak efficient DC motor and offers a speed range of 1-12 km/h that is perfect for jogging and running. Keep track of your progress with the LED monitor that displays distance, speed, time, and calories burned.

10 Best Selling Treadmills for Quick and Effective Home Cardio Workouts in India

This treadmill includes a foldable design with built-in transportation wheels, heart rate sensors, 2 cup holders, and an emergency stop button for added safety. Plus, enjoy peace of mind with a 1-year brand warranty against part failures and manufacturing defects. Sparnod Treadmill Price: Rs 16,999

Specifications Sparnod Fitness STH-1250 Treadmill for Home Use

Special Feature: Compact
Material: ‎Alloy Steel
Recommended Uses For Product: ‎Walking, Exercise, Running, Fitness
Power Source: ‎Corded Electric
Frame Material: Alloy Steel

Pros

Cons

Read More: Best Treadmill in India

10) Fitkit by Cult.Sport FT98 Carbon

Fitkit treadmill is perfect for your home gym setup. Weighing just 31 kilograms, it’s easy to move and store when not in use. This treadmill provides a smooth and efficient workout experience. The belt size of 47.24″ X 16.53″ ensures ample space for comfortable walking or running. Plus, with a maximum weight support of 90 kilograms, it’s suitable for users of varying sizes. The treadmill will track your progress with the LED display, which shows speed, time, distance, and calories burned.

At Fitkit, we prioritize customer satisfaction. That’s why we offer active post-sales and customer support. Simply contact us for installation support during our working hours from Monday to Sunday, 9 am to 6 pm. Rest assured, your treadmill is covered by a 1-year manufacturer warranty on the motor and manufacturing defects, along with a 3-year warranty on the frame. For optimal performance and longevity, we recommend using a voltage stabilizer to protect the motor from power fluctuations. Also, ensure proper earthing to discharge extra current safely. Fitkit Treadmill Price: Rs 13,999

Specifications Of Fitkit by Cult.Sport FT98 Carbon

Material: ‎Alloy Steel
Special Feature: Foldable
Target Audience: ‎Adult
Maximum Horsepower: 2 Horsepower
Frame Material: ‎Carbon Steel

Pros

Ease of installation
Effect on health

Cons

FAQs: 10 Best-Selling Treadmills In India

1) Which treadmill is best in India?

Sparnod Fitness STH-1250 Treadmill for Home Use – Easy Self Installation, 3 HP Peak Motor, 12Km/Hr Speed, 100 Kg Max User Weight, 12 Preset Workouts, Manual Incline, Speakers

PowerMax Fitness TDM-98 (4.0HP Peak) Motorized Treadmill With USB Connection, Home Use & Heart Rate Sensors – Black

Durafit Strong 4 HP Peak DC Motor Treadmill with Max Speed 14 Km/Hr, Max User Weight 120 Kg, Manual Incline, LCD Display

2) Is the treadmill good for the heart?

Many heart diseases are asymptomatic, and in such patients, working out on a treadmill can then trigger plaque rupture which can cause acute heart attack, it may also lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

3) Can we do the treadmill daily?

Once you are used to treadmill walking, you can do it every day of the week.

Explore more options for the best selling treadmills in India

Disclaimer: Jagran’s Journalists were not involved in the production of this article. The prices mentioned here are subject to change with respect to Amazon. Also note, the mentioned products are picked on user ratings and Jagran is not responsible for the after-sale service of any products.

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Fitness

Ditch sit-ups and crunches — this 5-move standing abs workout will help you build a stronger and more sculpted core

Published

10 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Ditch sit-ups and crunches — this 5-move standing abs workout will help you build a stronger and more sculpted core

The beauty of a standing abs workout is that you do not need a mat, much space, or to get down on the ground for any of the exercises. That makes it easy to fit into a busy day, whether you are working out at home, short on space, or prefer to stay off the floor altogether.

None of that means it is easier or delivers fewer results. Pilates instructor and Balance Body Educator Portia Page built this five-move, all-standing core workout to show that you can still challenge your abs effectively without a mat or traditional floor exercises.

What is the workout?

1. Standing “Hollow” Scoop + Reach + Deep Squat

Stand tall, feet hip-width, knees soft.
Exhale and scoop your abs up and in (think: ribs to hips, belly hollow).
Keeping the scoop, reach your arms overhead, maintaining the scoop.
Keeping the arms up, bend your knees and sit back & down into a deep, low squat
Straighten legs, lower arms and lift heels into a balance
Repeat, moving slowly down and up

2. High Knee Twist with Extension

Lift your right knee to hip height slowly.
Rotate your ribs toward (not down to) the lifted knee.
Lower leg and extend behind while rotating & extending in the opposite direction.
Repeat 5-10x on one side, repeat the same amount on the other.
Make it harder: Lift the knee higher than hip height and/or hold arms overhead.

3. Lateral Side Crunch

Stand tall, hands behind your head.
Shift weight to one leg.
Lift the opposite leg out to the side.
Pull your ribs toward your lifted hip like a side crunch.
Lower leg and crunch to the other side.
Repeat 5-10 times on each side.
Make it harder: Keep the leg lifted the whole interval. Your obliques will file a complaint!

4. Woodchop Squat & Twist

Bring your hands together over your right shoulder.
Bend the knees slightly, then powerfully chop down toward the left hip.
Pause at the bottom, stop the momentum, then return slowly to start.
Repeat 5-10 times on each side.

5. Single-Leg Hover Hold with Rotation

Stand tall with arms stretched to the side, shift weight to the left foot.
Lift right knee to hip height.
Extend the right leg straight forward, creating an upside-down L-shape while rotating the upper body to the right, and bend the right knee.
Straighten the standing leg and twist back to center.
Repeat 5-10 times. Switch legs.

What’s so good about standing abs workouts?

Standing ab exercises challenge the core in a more upright, everyday way than floor-based exercises do. Instead of working from a fixed position on a mat, you are asking your body to remain stable while standing, moving and balancing, which naturally brings more of the core into play.

Pilates instructor Page explains that this routine works the core through rotation, anti-rotation and lateral stability, the types of strength you use when walking, lifting, or changing direction. Because you are on your feet, balance becomes part of the challenge too, and even small wobbles force the deeper muscles to switch on.

She also includes elements of controlled power and standing hollow work, which asks the core to absorb and redirect force rather than just hold tension. The result is a stronger, more responsive midsection, without the need for any planks or crunches.

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Fitness

The future of fitness: How AI coaches are changing the way we exercise

Published

22 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

The future of fitness: How AI coaches are changing the way we exercise

Fitness and health apps have been promising “smart coaches” and “personalised training plans” for years. But, to date, most programmes have been like online shopping recommendations, with exercises broadly matching your demographic profile and performance level.

However, the rapid advances in real-time image recognition, generative AI and natural language processing are bringing an AI coach worthy of the name within our grasp. And not just for high-tech gyms like Lumin, but also for people working out at home or in the park. Peloton, for example, films how you exercise and provides feedback in real time. Google has also announced AI-powered personalised fitness and health advice for its Fitbit range.

HYROX pro athlete Jake Dearden putting in the work on an indoor bike

Market analysts think the AI fitness market could be worth close to $35b USD by 2030. But how close are we to that future? Which company is training up the supertrainer? And how will that change the way we exercise, sweat and track our progress? And what do we need to know about this new world?

Harnessing AI’s potential to make personalised training available to all

Lucy Charles-Barclay prepares for training in London, England, on July 14, 2021. — Most fitness apps give generic exercise suggestions
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Confidence Udegbue has the perfect CV for designing an AI coach. The Vice President of Product at fitness app Freeletics studied electrical and computer engineering and teaches fitness classes in his free time. His broad shoulders, muscular biceps and infectious spirit are a dead giveaway: this guy knows what he’s talking about.

“In the gym, I can see immediately when someone I’m teaching is making a mistake,” says Udegbue. “But that expertise is hard to scale.” Freeletics is trying to solve that problem with AI. The app has been using a predictive algorithm since 2019 to suggest workouts based on demographic data and self-assessed fitness levels. This means that a 39-year-old man who has been training for two years and is at level 63 in the app won’t receive the same instructions as a 25-year-old beginner.

Freeletics uses AI-based motion analysis powered by models like those from Google’s MediaPipe framework, which includes BlazePose – the successor to the earlier PoseNet model. The models provide a skeletal muscle database that can replicate all types of exercises, for which Freeletics sports scientists then define the movements. That way, the system can assess whether that squat you just did went low enough.

Can an AI coach give useful real-time workout feedback?

One of the most revered sabre fencers in the world, Olga Kharlan, checks her phone during training — World-class sabre fencer Olga Kharlan checks her phone

© Yurii Strokan/Red Bull Content Pool

In 2024, Freeletics introduced the Coach+ feature – an AI-powered chatbot with Freeletics expertise and access to anonymised data from over 59m user journeys. Users can ask the virtual coach questions like, “How can I build muscle mass?” or “I feel weak – how can I motivate myself?”

Freeletics is currently testing a version that will allow the app to see you work out. As of April, users have been able to record themselves exercising on their smartphones. “AI counts the reps and gives direct feedback,” Udegbue says. That is particularly helpful because even experienced athletes do not always perform pistol squats or burpees correctly.

Democratising the personal coach experience

Max Verstappen of Oracle Red Bull Racing stretches before a F1 Grand Prix — Max Verstappen warming up before a F1 race

© Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

A personal coach was long the preserve of Hollywood actors, top models and CEOs – a highly competent service provider, always available whenever a slot opened up in their client’s busy schedule. They know their clients’ allergies, preferences and weak spots. They always know how to set the pace. Sometimes they’re pushy, sometimes they go easy. They are a mix of therapist, personal assistant and best friend – open 24/7, all major credit cards accepted.

In the soccer world, the manager is often called “boss” – a figure of respect who takes care of the players both on and off the field. A good coach can tell when something is off in a movement – when the person’s mind is elsewhere, or they’re lacking energy. Anyone who has had that person in their life knows that a good coach is worth their weight in gold, which is why there are coaches for everything – careers, relationships, nutrition – and why the idea of a personalised fitness coach is so appealing.

AI has no body or talent. It doesn’t know what it feels like for sweat to run down the skin or for muscles to cramp or for adrenaline to rush through the veins. But it does recognise patterns and make predictions that we humans can use increasingly often and, in the best-case scenario, find out more about ourselves in the process.

How AI will allow us to ‘chat with our body’

Mutaz Barshim powers through a workout in the gym — High-jump star Mutaz Barshim lifting heavy
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Mirrors show you how you see yourself. But the Magic AI Mirror promises that you will like what you see if you follow the exercises and tips on the reflective screen. Behind the glass surface is an AI coach who steers your workouts in real time.

Growl goes even deeper into movement detection. The start-up has developed an exercise boxing bag that captures every movement with 3D cameras and Lidar (light detection and ranging) technology. AI corrects your posture or encourages you when your energy decreases.

Whoop’s fitness trackers combine biometric data with generative AI. If you’re wondering when you got your best sleep, you’ll get a precise answer: “On July 14, because the allergy season was over and you didn’t drink alcohol.” You can chat with your body.

Freeletics is also banking on predictive AI. “Soon the system will recognise that user X has had an increased resting heart rate for days, so I won’t suggest high-intensity exercises,” says Udegbue.

The vision all companies are working on is a multimodal coach: AI that unlocks information – biometrics, genetics, video, training history – and conveys it intuitively to the user. But a perfect coach is more than just an algorithm. Researchers are working on reinforcement learning systems that set individual step goals that are challenging but achievable, and adapt whenever progress has been made.

The power of human and AI combined

Adriano de Souza in seen during the video recording of Se Prepara series in Florianopolis, Brazil, on April 30, 2019. — Training is possible anywhere

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“We will not be able to deliver on the promise of absolute personalisation for the mass market,” Eskofier says. But before you lose hope, you should know what he means by personalisation.

His laboratory supports, among other people, Sebastian Steudtner, the big wave surfer and world record holder. To do this, they measured his body in an MRI scanner, carried out psychological assessments, calculated strength curves and even fitted his surfboard and wetsuit with sensors.

Eskofier’s team created Steudtner’s digital twin. By the time the project concluded in May 2025, their AI system could already discuss with a real coach what angle Steudtner should surf a 100-foot wave at, and whether he’d be strong enough to do it.

The one thing AI will never change in fitness training

Constantin Popovici of Romania stretches at the athletes' area during the training day of the final stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Boston, USA, on September 18, 2025. — No equipment, no excuses – embrace the simplicity of pure movement
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“We can’t offer that service to millions of people,” Eskofier says. “But these systems can still create real added value.” He believes AI coaches are a good base: “AI can take over data processing and routine personalisation, while real coaches can focus on mentoring.”

AI coaches are getting smarter all the time, too, which is why it’s important to know what they can and can’t do. Limited data sets can lead to bias if too few women or people of below-average height are represented in the data.

“No matter how good the technology gets, one thing will never change,” says Udegbue. “A coach can only make you better if you want to be better yourself, too.” It’s all in your hands.

Fitness

The Case for Ditching Your Fitness Trackers

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

The Case for Ditching Your Fitness Trackers

Credit: René Ramos/Lifehacker/ZaZa studio/Adobe Stock/Andriy Onufriyenko/Moment/Vadym Kalitnyk/iStock/Getty Images

I have a love-hate relationship with the smartwatch on my wrist. This relationship is no doubt shaped by the fact that I write about fitness tech for a living, but I know I’m not alone in succumbing to an obsession with numbers from my wearables. Did I hit 10,000 steps? What’s my resting heart rate today? Is my sleep score better than yesterday’s? When did progressive overload turn into screen time overload, too?

The fitness tech boom is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon—and with it, we consume a constant stream of promises that this data will make us healthier, stronger, and faster. With the sheer amount of health insights potentially available to us at any time, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I’ve watched my least health-anxious friends become consumed by metrics they’d never heard of two years ago. They’re tracking bone density trends, obsessing over cortisol levels, panicking about stress scores that fluctuate for reasons no algorithm can fully explain. I can feel my fitness trackers pull me away from genuine wellness and into a mental health disaster. The good news: When I look up from my screens and start talking to real people, I see I’m not alone in wanting to unplug and push back against the overly quantified self.

A growing anti-tech fitness movement

When I put out a call on Instagram asking people about their relationship with posting workout data and fitness content, I received hundreds of responses from people exhausted by the performance of fitness. Even if your only audience is your own reflection, simply owning a wearable can create a real barrier between feeling good about your body and your fitness journey. Did I work out enough today? Will my friends see that I skipped a workout? Should I push through injury to maintain my streak?

For these reasons, celebrity trainer Lauren Kleban says she doesn’t like to rely on wearables at all. “Counting steps or calories can quickly spiral into a bit of an obsession,” says Kleban, and that “takes the joy out of movement and away from learning what’s truly best for us.” She says her clients want to focus on their mind and body connection, now more than ever. There’s a real, growing desire to rebuild a sense of intuition that doesn’t depend on feedback from a watch.

Similarly, Marshall Weber, a certified personal trainer and owner of Jack City Fitness, says that he’s “definitely been surprised by the growing push towards unplugged fitness,” but that he “totally gets it.” Weber says he’s had clients express feeling “overwhelmed with their Fitbit or Apple Watch micromanaging their training.” When every workout becomes about numbers and keeping up with an average, it’s all too easy to lose touch with your body. “The anti-tech movement is about taking back that personal connection,” Weber says. After all, when was the last time you finished a workout and didn’t immediately look at your stats, but instead just noticed how you felt?

This is the paradox at the heart of fitness technology. Tools designed to help us understand our bodies have created a new kind of illiteracy. Maybe you can tell me why you’re aiming for Zone 2 workouts, but can’t actually recognize what that effort feels like without a screen telling you. In a sense, you might be outsourcing your own intuition to algorithms.

If nothing else, the data risks are real. (Because if you think you own all your health data, think again.) Every heart rate spike, every missed workout, every late-night stress indicator gets recorded, stored, and potentially shared. Still, for me, the more insidious risk is psychological: the erosion of our ability to know ourselves without consulting a device first.

What do you think so far?

How to unplug and exercise intuitively

So what does unplugged fitness actually look like in practice? It’s not about rejecting all technology or pretending GPS watches and heart rate monitors don’t have value—I promise. Look, I crave data and answers as much as—and maybe more than—the average gym-goer. I’m simply not woo-woo enough to ditch my Garmin altogether.

Instead, I argue for re-establishing a hierarchy in which technology serves your training, not the other way around. “Sometimes, the best performance boost is just learning to listen to what your body is saying and feeling,” says Weber. But what does “listening to your body” actually look like?

If you’re like me, and need to rebuild a connection with your body from the ground-up, try these approaches:

Start with tech-free workouts. Designate certain runs, yoga sessions, or strength workouts as completely unplugged. No watch, no phone, no tracking. Notice what changes when there’s no device to check.
Relearn your body’s signals. Can you gauge your effort level without looking at a heart rate monitor? Do you actually know what “recovery pace” feels like for you, or are you just matching a number? Practice assessing fatigue, energy, soreness, and readiness without checking your watch.
Replace metrics with sensory awareness. Instead of tracking pace, notice your breathing pattern. Instead of counting calories burned, pay attention to how your muscles feel. Instead of obsessing over sleep scores, ask yourself a simple question in the morning: how do I actually feel?
Set goals that can’t be gamified. Rather than chasing step counts or streak days, aim for qualitative improvements. Can you hold a plank with better form? Does that hill feel easier than last month? Are you enjoying your workouts more? These are the markers of real progress.
Create tech boundaries. Maybe you use your GPS watch for long runs but leave it home for everything else. Perhaps you track workouts but delete the social features. Find the minimum effective dose of technology that serves your goals without dominating your headspace.
Reconnect with in-person community. The loss of shared gym culture—people actually talking to each other instead of staying plugged into individual screens—represents more than just nostalgia. There’s real value in working out alongside others, in having conversations about training instead of just comparing data, in building knowledge through shared experience rather than algorithm-driven insights.

The bottom line

Unplugging is easier said than done, but you don’t need to go cold turkey. Maybe in the new year, you can set “body literacy” as a worthwhile resolution. At the end of the day, exercise should add to your life, not become another source of performance anxiety. It should be energizing, not exhausting—and I don’t just mean physically. The never-ending irony of modern fitness culture is that in our pursuit of optimal health, we keep inventing new forms of stress and anxiety. When all forms of wellness come with trackable metrics and social pressure, I think we’ve fundamentally missed the point.