Twelve years ago, a trio of middle-aged farmers had a good hard look at themselves and weren’t happy with what they saw.

“We were all sort of finished playing footy, had a family,” Ben Wundersitz said.

“And, from 30 onwards, we just began to eat a bit of fast food, go to kids sport [and] lost our will for our own physical fitness.” 

The farmers, from Maitland on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, decided to give the local gym a go.

“To be honest our wives were noticing that the three of us were all snoring so we were booked in for a sleep apnoea test and, at the end of mine, the doctor just said, basically, you need to lose some weight,” he said. 

“Eventually, I think we all stopped snoring and then we thought, ‘Well, wouldn’t it be good if we could get a few more people involved?’.” 

They held a breakfast barbecue to fire up some enthusiasm. It attracted about 20 mainly middle-aged farmers.

Since then, the South Australian rural health initiative has also spread to Victoria, benefiting almost 20 rural communities.

The group soon became known as the Fat Farmers, and the catchy, if not politically correct, name proved to be part of the appeal, says co-founder Greg Hean.

“One day, I came in years ago and I just yelled out, ‘Hey, f***ing fat farmers’, and it’s stuck,” he said.

 “So, I’ll claim it.”

Mr Wundersitz said they had considered changing the name.

“We’ve certainly been asked the question if we’d like to change the name maybe to Fit Farmers,” he said.

Push ups and saving lives

Behind the tongue-in-cheek name were some life-changing results for farmers like Cameron Ferguson.

“My fitness was probably non-existent, almost. I don’t even think I’d ever done a push-up before,” he said.

Mr Wundersitz  said he was also surprised to see the impact of the combination of exercise and mateship on farmers’ mental health.

“And, I think, that’s what really just keeps me inspired to keep pushing on.”

The mental health benefits were largely why Sam and Nicole Croser decided to help start a Fat Farmers group at Millicent, in South Australia’s south east, where farmers were dealing with one of the driest seasons in years.

A few years ago, Mr Croser was also struggling.

“I did reach a point where I pushed myself too hard and it was getting a bit much,” he said.

It showed him the toll life on the land could take when you didn’t take a breather.

“Some people are struggling at the moment, so I’m a little bit passionate about wanting to help my mates through that.”

‘Not our thing’

Some farmers Mr Croser contacted were reluctant to head to the gym for the weekly early morning class.

“If you had asked me a few years ago, I probably would have had the same response,” he said.

Someone who was up for the challenge immediately was Andrew Skeer, who had already overcome challenges in his life.

“My life changed dramatically, but it didn’t end.

“I’ll just gently attempt and have a go at anything I can try, even if the instructor says you mightn’t be able to do that.”

He’s learnt to skip, something he hadn’t done since he was 10.

For most of the Millicent Fat Farmers, the gym was a pleasant surprise with a mix of familiar skills like the appropriately named “farmer’s carry”, and less familiar exercises like boxing and stretching.

In this article, DANIEL ADAJI explores the different smart fitness technologies that are helping to transform the fitness landscape

The world of fitness is rapidly evolving, fuelled by advancements in technology that are reshaping how we exercise, monitor our health, and achieve our fitness goals.

Smart fitness technology, a blend of wearable devices, apps, and data-driven insights, has revolutionised the way people approach fitness by offering personalised, efficient, and connected workout experiences.

From tracking activity levels to optimising recovery, these innovations are becoming integral to our daily lives, improving overall well-being while also fostering a more dynamic, adaptable, and intelligent approach to staying healthy.

Rise of smart fitness technology

Smart fitness technology has its roots in the increasing use of sensors, algorithms, and data analytics in wearable devices, like fitness trackers and smartwatches.

Early versions of fitness technology, such as pedometers and heart rate monitors, laid the groundwork for today’s more advanced systems.

However, the explosion of interest in health tracking began with the rise of smartphones, which allowed more people to interact with health-related apps and devices.

As technology advanced, the fitness industry followed suit, adopting innovations that could not only monitor performance but also suggest improvements and optimize individual fitness plans.

The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning has pushed this evolution even further.

AI-powered fitness platforms and wearable devices are now capable of delivering insights in real-time, adjusting workouts based on user feedback, and predicting future health trends based on patterns in a person’s data.

Key components of smart fitness technology

Smart fitness technology encompasses several components that work together to create a comprehensive health and fitness ecosystem. Some of the key elements include:

Wearable devices

Wearable devices, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, have become indispensable tools for monitoring physical activity, heart rate, sleep patterns, and even blood oxygen levels.

These innovative gadgets utilise advanced sensors to gather real-time data, providing users with detailed insights into their health and well-being. With features like GPS tracking, calorie burn monitoring, and personalized recommendations, wearables empower individuals to optimize their fitness regimens and make informed lifestyle choices.

Additionally, wearables offer alerts for abnormal heart rhythms, stress levels, and other vital signs, enabling proactive health management.

Their convenience and accuracy have made wearables a staple in modern health tracking.

Fitness apps

Many fitness apps seamlessly integrate with wearable devices or function independently, providing a comprehensive fitness experience.

They offer a diverse range of workouts, tracking capabilities, and progress reports, empowering users to monitor their journey. Leveraging AI technology, these apps suggest personalised workouts based on individual goals, fitness levels, and preferences.

Additionally, they utilise motivational tools, such as rewards, challenges, and social sharing, to keep users engaged and driven. With features like virtual coaching, nutrition planning, and mindfulness exercises, fitness apps provide a holistic approach to wellness, helping users achieve their goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Smart home gym equipment

High-tech home gym equipment, such as connected treadmills, stationary bikes, and smart weights, offer live workout classes and on-demand programs. These devices track a user’s performance and adjust settings automatically to ensure that workouts are challenging but safe.

Health Analytics

Behind many smart fitness devices is a powerful system of data analytics that helps users interpret the data collected during workouts.

This allows for personalised recommendations, such as adjusting intensity levels, recommending rest days, or even offering nutritional advice based on activity levels.

Virtual coaching and AI trainers

Virtual coaches are becoming more common in the fitness world. These AI-driven trainers offer real-time feedback during workouts, correct form, and push users to improve their performance.

This technology is especially helpful for people working out at home without a personal trainer or fitness instructor.

Recovery tools

Smart fitness technology has extended beyond workouts to include recovery. Tools like massage guns, compression boots, and smart foam rollers are equipped with sensors and analytics that help users recover faster and reduce muscle soreness.

Smart fitness devices and apps

Smart fitness technology is now a multi-billion-dollar industry with many players competing for consumer attention. Some of the most popular and widely used devices and apps in the market include:

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch is one of the most recognised wearable fitness devices. It tracks various health metrics, including heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity levels. The integration with Apple’s ecosystem also allows users to sync their health data with their iPhones and other devices.

Fitbit

Fitbit remains a leader in wearable fitness technology. Its products offer a range of health-tracking features, from step counting to heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking. Fitbit also integrates with its app, providing insights and personalized recommendations based on the user’s data.

Peloton

Peloton is well-known for its connected stationary bikes and treadmills, which allow users to participate in live and on-demand fitness classes from home. Peloton’s devices also track performance metrics like speed, distance, and resistance, helping users track their progress over time.

WHOOP

WHOOP is a high-end fitness tracker designed for athletes and serious fitness enthusiasts. It focuses on monitoring recovery, strain, and sleep, offering insights into how to optimize performance.

The device doesn’t have a screen, but the data is accessible through the WHOOP app, which provides detailed analytics on recovery and performance.

MyFitnessPal

A popular app for tracking diet and exercise, MyFitnessPal allows users to log meals, track calories, and monitor macronutrient intake. It’s particularly helpful for those trying to lose weight or maintain a balanced diet in conjunction with their fitness goals.

Oura ring

The Oura Ring is a smart wearable that tracks sleep and activity by analysing key health indicators like heart rate variability, body temperature, and movement. The device provides insights into the user’s readiness to perform, helping them make informed decisions about rest and recovery.

Mirror

The Mirror is an innovative fitness device that offers a full workout experience in the form of a sleek, interactive display. It streams live and on-demand fitness classes and provides real-time feedback on form and technique. The Mirror is a smart solution for those who want a personalized fitness experience at home without bulky equipment.

How smart fitness technology enhances workouts

Smart fitness technology provides users with a deeper understanding of their health and fitness, allowing them to improve in ways that would be difficult to achieve otherwise.

Here are some ways it enhances workouts:

Personalisations

One of the major benefits of smart fitness technology is its ability to deliver personalised workout experiences. With AI-driven insights, wearables and apps can analyse a user’s fitness level, preferences, and goals to create tailored workouts. This increases the likelihood of long-term success by ensuring workouts are suited to individual needs.

Real-time feedback

Devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers provide real-time feedback on performance, allowing users to adjust their workouts on the fly. Whether it’s increasing the intensity, changing the duration, or adjusting the form, users have access to data that keeps them on track.

Tracking and progress monitoring

Tracking progress is one of the key motivators for fitness enthusiasts. Smart fitness devices record every metric, from the number of steps taken to calories burned, which helps users monitor their progress and stay motivated. Some apps even offer social sharing features, creating an extra layer of accountability.

Injury prevention

Smart fitness technology can help prevent injuries by monitoring body mechanics and identifying potential issues before they become serious problems. AI-driven virtual coaches can suggest adjustments to form during workouts, while wearables can alert users if they are pushing too hard.

Enhanced recovery

Recovery is a critical part of any fitness plan, and smart fitness technology helps optimize this aspect. Recovery-focused devices and apps analyze sleep patterns, heart rate, and stress levels, offering recommendations to improve recovery times and reduce fatigue.

Motivation and gamification

Many fitness apps use gamification to keep users engaged. They offer rewards for meeting goals, create challenges, and even allow users to compete with friends or other app users. This social and competitive element can be a powerful motivator for maintaining consistent workouts.

The role of Artificial Intelligence and data in fitness

At the heart of smart fitness technology is data, and AI plays a significant role in interpreting that data to make workouts more effective. Machine learning algorithms can analyse vast amounts of health data from wearable devices and fitness apps, creating actionable insights for users.

For example, AI can predict how well a person will perform in their next workout based on their recovery data, helping them avoid overtraining.

AI also plays a role in virtual coaching, with some systems capable of adapting workouts in real-time based on the user’s performance.

These virtual coaches can offer personalised feedback, track forms, and suggest changes in exercises based on user-specific data. This kind of real-time adjustment can replicate the benefits of having a personal trainer without the high costs associated with in-person coaching.

Future of smart fitness technology

Looking ahead, the future of smart fitness technology is bright. We are likely to see continued innovation in the areas of AI, virtual reality, and augmented reality, which will further personalize fitness experiences and make them more immersive.

For instance, VR workouts could transport users to virtual environments where they can engage in fitness activities that feel more like games than workouts, making the process more enjoyable and engaging.

Another future trend is the development of more advanced health metrics and sensors that go beyond basic heart rate monitoring. As research in this area progresses, wearable devices may soon be able to monitor a wider range of health indicators, including hormone levels, glucose levels, and mental health metrics.

This would allow users to get an even deeper understanding of their health and adjust their fitness routines accordingly.

Additionally, smart fitness technology may continue to integrate with other areas of personal health, such as nutrition, sleep, and mental wellness, creating a more holistic approach to well-being.

For example, AI-driven systems could offer not just workout advice but also dietary and mental health recommendations based on a user’s physical activity and biometric data.

The rise of smart fitness technology marks a turning point in how we approach fitness and health. With real-time data, AI-driven insights, and personalised experiences, these innovations are empowering individuals to take control of their health in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago.

Our Top Picks

Do you prefer working out at home instead of spending time and money at the gym? We totally understand and believe that a mini stair stepper might be just what you need. This small but effective machine mimics stair climbing, giving you a solid cardio workout while strengthening your legs and core. But with so many options on the market, it can be hard to figure out which one will get you the most bang for your buck. That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you and rounded up the top mini stair steppers in this list, so you can easily choose the best one for your needs.

Looking for an easy way to get a full lower-body workout at home? This home exercise equipment is basically a stepper, which is a great little machine that will help you get fit without taking up a lot of space. Its standout feature is its high-resistance hydraulic system that will give you a solid workout in just 30 minutes. You’ll burn fat, strengthen your legs, and tone your core, all without making a lot of noise. It’s also compact and ready to use right out of the box, so you can squeeze in a quick workout anywhere at home. And it’s sturdy and durable, supporting up to 300 lbs, so it’s perfect for a wide range of users.

Rated 9.8 based on 10

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Pros & Cons

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✙ Provides a high resistance workout

✙ Compact & lightweight design

✙ Versatile workout options

– Not suitable for long-term intense workouts

With its unique twist function, this mini stair stepper not only tones your legs and glutes but also simultaneously works out your core. The high-quality steel and precision bearings are used to support up to 330 lbs while the resistance bands are added to help you get a full-body workout. Enjoy a quieter exercise session thanks to the hydraulic drive system and oversized pedals with anti-skid pads. Plus, the large LED monitor keeps track of your time, count, calories burned, and distance.

Rated 9.6 based on 10

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Pros & Cons

✙ 330lbs capacity

✙ Includes resistance bands

✙ Compact and space-saving

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– Resistance level is not adjustable

Do you struggle with balance and stability? This mini stair stepper comes with a convenient handlebar that helps you stay steady and adds extra support for a more comfortable workout. It offers a low-impact workout and lets you adjust the resistance level if you want to increase the intensity over time. The twisting steps provide a side-to-side motion that targets different muscles for a more dynamic workout. Other than this, you also get a sturdy handlebar for stability and an LCD monitor to track your progress.

Rated 9.5 based on 10

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Pros & Cons

✙ Full-body workout

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✙ Sturdy handlebar support

✙ Digital monitor with heart rate sensors

– Assembly required

If you find other equipment on this list lacking in intensity, this one’s just the one for you. It has all the important features with an added dual-resistance system that combines hydraulic and magnetic resistance and lets you control the intensity level of your workout. Ideal for burning calories, this mini stair stepper targets fat in your legs, glutes, and abdomen with its multi-purpose design. It also has an added twist motion and resistance bands that engage over 20 core muscles. Additionally, it has wide anti-slip foot plates and adjustable height settings that make your workout sessions more comfortable.

Rated 9.3 based on 10

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Pros & Cons

✙ Dual-resistance system

✙ 350lbs weight capacity

✙ Adjustable stride length

– Limited step height adjustment

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FAQ

Q: What makes mini stair steppers different from traditional stair climbers?

A: Mini stair steppers are compact, making them ideal for home use where space is limited. Unlike traditional stair climbers, which are larger and bulkier, mini stair steppers are designed for convenience and can be used in small areas.

Q: Can a mini stair stepper provide a full-body workout?

A: While mini stair steppers primarily target the lower body, including the legs, glutes, and core, many models come with additional features like resistance bands. These bands can engage the upper body, allowing for a more comprehensive workout that includes the arms, chest, and back.

Q: Are mini stair steppers noisy during use?

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A: Noise levels can vary depending on the build quality and resistance system. Models with hydraulic systems tend to be quieter, while those with mechanical components may produce more sound. Look for mini stair steppers with noise-reducing features like rubber foot pads or smooth hydraulic drives if you want a quieter workout experience.

Q: What should you look for in terms of pedal design and size? Pedal design is crucial for safety and comfort. Look for mini stair steppers with large, textured, or non-slip pedals to ensure a secure grip during your workout. Some models have oversized pedals to accommodate different foot sizes and prevent slipping.

Q: How do you maintain and clean a mini stair stepper?

A: Regular maintenance involves checking for loose bolts, ensuring moving parts are lubricated, and cleaning the machine. Wipe down the pedals and handlebar with a damp cloth to remove sweat and dust.

Article Contributors

JPost Advisor Team

The Jpost Shopping team offers expert picks and insights, helping you find lifestyle-enhancing products. Independent of the newsroom and reader-supported, our team of writers and product enthusiasts also use AI to ensure product dimensions, availability, and pricing are accurate.

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