httpv://youtu.be/qE1uQdZ5l3M
The popularity of fitness games is influencing gym activities. Bally Total Fitness plans to install video walls with a multi-screen display with a motion-sensing camera. Similar to gesture-based console games on the Nintendo Wii or Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect, the video will incorporate user movements such as arm sweeps and jumps to control the activity on the screen.
Video activities include gaming inspired applications and in-depth nutritional advice. A video demonstration shows these two applications, plus a mode that shows the user how they will look a few pounds slimmer (or heavier). While the nutrition and views of weight loss (and gain) are interesting applications, we wonder how public these video walls will be. It’s a very brave person who goes up to the screen and views themselves at different weights, or reports to the display her stats, or what she had for lunch.
Bally worked with a company called Helios Interactive Technologies to ultimately select SoftKinetic as the provider for the video wall displays. Bally determined a no-touch gesture-based solution was appropriate. “The displays provide a real ‘wow factor’ for new users, while offering valuable advice to gym regulars,” said Mike Schaiman, managing partner at Helios.
The gym hopes to install the video wall displays in 15 to 20 locations, possibly new clubs, by the end of the year.
Official Bally Total Fitness Website
Official SoftKinetic Website
[via The Next Web: Bally Total Fitness introduces gesture-based video technology]