“Where the mind goes, the body will follow.” That’s the philosophy behind Les Mills’ IMMERSIVE FITNESS innovation.
And they’re not wrong. Research has shown that adding music to your workout benefits motivation and output without making you feel like you’re working harder.
But these days, fitness operators around the globe use far more than music alone to create unforgettable immersive fitness experiences. Now you can expect to have all your senses engaged when working out, with stunning visuals, incredible sounds and even carefully chosen scents becoming a part of the experience.
As one of the major Top fitness AV and tech trends of recent years, we decided to delve deeper into the world of immersive studios. Read on to find out what makes an immersive fitness space and how you can create one in your facility.
What is immersive fitness?
An immersive fitness class is one that allows you to lose yourself in the workout thanks to all-encompassing tech. A large screen and surround sound are staples of these studios, but many operators take it a few steps further with innovative visuals, and scents.
Immersive fitness classes aim to make working out easier, by taking your focus away from your body and creating a fun, all-encompassing experience for you to lose yourself in. Les Mill have run extensive testing which was published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, showing that immersive classes increase satisfaction while actually decreasing the rate of perceived exertion for new exercisers.
Immersive fitness spaces come in many shapes and forms. Below we discuss the different elements that you can leverage to create an ultimate immersive fitness studio.
If you’re already keen to find out more, download our Studio Solutions brochure to see how we can help you build an immersive fitness studio of your own.
Immersive visuals
All immersive studios will feature some form of projection, whether that’s onto a cinema scale screen or simply projected onto the walls of the studio. These can be used to display inspirational journeys, such as a cycle through the French Alps or a modern digital landscape.
Another form of immersive visual is unique graphics, as seen at static in London. These abstract visuals add to an already immersive experience creating a wow factor, distracting riders from the effort they are putting in.
Spectacular lighting
The lighting of the studio takes the visuals to the next level. Having lighting that encompasses the whole studio makes exercisers feel like they are in the on-screen experience. The Les Mills THE TRIP studio in Westwood Club’s Westmanstown site does this well, with digital LED tape surrounding the room, adding movement and colours to tie the experience together.
Stages create their studios in a different way, by using colour indicators to show how hard rider are working. Some studios, like David Lloyd’s Rhythm classes, sync their lighting with this indicator to turn the whole studio the colour that riders show be aiming for. This use of room filling light helps riders lose themselves in the workout.
All-encompassing sound
Sound plays an integral part in any immersive experience. For high intensity classes like HIIT and spin you need loud and powerful music that washes over exercisers letting them feel the rhythm of the experience.
Knowing what audio solutions to install can be tricky though. Depending on size of your studio, bigger isn’t always better. Talk to sound professionals to understand your requirements and get the best sound experience possible.
But the audio equipment is only one aspect of immersive sound. Take time to curate a playlist that reflects the workout you’re delivering. Gymbox take this to the next level by having DJ’s in their studios, creating an immersive party to work out to.
Other, more relaxed, forms of workouts like yoga and guided meditations don’t necessarily require the same level of intensity. Some wellness operators even go as far as using physical instruments in place of recorded music. Instruments like rainmakers and Himalayan singing bowls remove the more structural elements of music like rhythm, arrangement and melody, often aiding meditation.
Check out our blog on our Top 5 indoor cycling experiences to see five spin studios that are doing sound right.
Scents that transport
We have all experienced coming across a scent that transports us instantly back to a moment in time. Many fitness operators are now leveraging this to transport exercisers during their workouts.
Some spin studios send you on an alpine cycling adventure, where fresh grass scents are used to bring the alpine visual to life.
Victus Soul use scents in tandem with motivational music and lighting in the changing rooms and corridors leading to their boxing studios to make members feel like their entering a professional boxing ring. Many cycling studios will feature the smell of fresh grass as the on-screen visual takes them through beautiful countryside.
Scents are a powerful new addition to the immersive experience but getting the right balance can be tricky. Too much of a good thing can become distracting, so keep it subtle. It won’t take much to create the experience you’re looking for.
Done right, immersive fitness spaces can take your members on an exercise experience that leaves them hungry to come back for more. Whatever your vision is for your immersive experience, ensure it’s well thought out so it takes your members on a journey that works for them.
If you’re looking to create an immersive studio, get in get in touch today or download or Studio Solutions brochure for more inspiration. We have built countless of these incredible spaces across the UK and Europe so can help you transform your space into an immersive experience.