“It’s nice to be able to exercise comfortably without being noticed by young people. It’s so comfortable to have exercise equipment with artificial intelligence (AI) function that automatically adjusts the intensity.”
Lee Jong-sook (74), who lives in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, signs her work at the senior fitness center of Nonhyeon Senior Welfare Center every day. Here, Lee enjoys sweating every day through senior-friendly exercise equipment incorporated with AI functions.
Lee, who weighs a lot, likes exercise that can increase lower body strength. When Lee contacted the AI exercise equipment with the membership card recorded with his data, the past exercise record, intensity, and recommended exercise courses were automatically displayed on the monitor. When you start exercising, it recognizes it and shows the average intensity. As Lee’s movements became loose due to repeated exercises, the AI exercise equipment lowered its intensity after sending a message, “I’ll lower the reference strength a little.” “Now it’s more painful not to exercise,” Lee said, smiling, “I like it because my legs don’t hurt even though I walk a lot because I have muscles.”
Amid the heated controversy over the “No Senior Zone” gym, which blocks the entrance of the elderly due to the risk of accidents, AI gyms that can only be used by seniors like Lee have emerged one after another, drawing attention.
According to a report by the Mail Business on the 14th, local governments across the country are stepping up efforts to create a smart gym where seniors can exercise comfortably and safely. It is analyzed that customized exercise spaces are needed for seniors who are reluctant to visit private gyms that are frequently used by young people.
In April last year, Gangnam-gu opened an AI-based senior-only gym at Nonhyeon Senior Welfare Center for the first time in the country. Anyone over the age of 60 in Gangnam can use eight upper and lower body strength exercise equipment incorporating AI technology here for free. Unlike exercise equipment at general gyms, AI automatically adjusts the weight to suit the senior’s condition even if a person does not directly adjust the weight with a heavy weight and disk, which is highly safe.
Jeong Da-woon, a social worker in charge of senior gyms, said, “When people are crowded, they line up,” adding, “I’m proud whenever I see elderly people who gain courage here and enter a private gym.”
The Well-Aging Center in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, is popular because it can evaluate seniors’ physical functions through AI technology. It provides one-on-one customized exercise prescriptions according to body functions using specialized devices equipped with virtual reality (VR) technology. Recently, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, also opened a smart healthcare center in Sageun-dong, where seniors can promote health by utilizing AI technology.
Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, opened an AI love room in Gwanin-myeon where you can improve your physical function through digital experiences. The government is also stepping up the creation of a senior-friendly national sports center with multi-purpose gyms such as table tennis, badminton, and park golf along with physical and rehabilitation facilities.
[Reporter Cha Changhee]
