Is Fitness Headed to the Cloud?

Not everyone has time to head to the gym, and many business travelers know it is even hard to squeeze in a good workout, let alone make the time to meet with a trainer. But is it possible the fitness could be heading to the cloud, as in cloud computing?

The concept of the cloud is that data, information and even software isn’t locally stored or accessed, but rather connected to via the Internet. Thus the information and software lives in the “cloud.” Now some companies are looking to bring this type of off-site connectivity to fitness. Among these is Core Performance, which was recently profiled in NetworkWorld. As the story notes:

“Core Performance is using business rules software from IBM to automate the application of expertise gleaned by training elite athletes. The company is an offshoot of Athletes’ Performance, which provides training, nutrition and physical therapy programs to professional athletes. While Athletes’ Performance focuses on training its pro sports clientele, Core Performance is creating fitness programs and equipment geared for everyday people. Using IP-enabled exercise gear and cloud-based applications is key to its delivery model.” Continue reading Is Fitness Headed to the Cloud?

Intel Adds Intelligence to Employee Workouts

Image from architecture3s via Core Performance

Some companies provide a gym for their employees. And then some companies add more incentive for their employees to use the facilities and actually see results. In a bold move, Intel outfitted its Chandler, Ariz. Campus with a high-tech fitness center. Machines include Intel-embedded technology-based and Internet connected machines through a partnership with a company called Core Performance. Why do these machines need Internet connectivity?

Each participating employee provided health records, nutrition habits, and other information to create customized workouts dictated by the machines. Intel is involved for obvious reasons: it has a stake in the equipment it’s using. But it also intends to improve the health and fitness of its employees and in turn reduce the company’s healthcare costs. It hopes other companies will deploy similar programs as well.