Freeletics has added a new “strength gaming” experience to its range of programmes.
Called Staedium, the new addition looks to tap into rising demand for gamified and entertainment-led workouts.
Designed for at-home use, the system uses three main components – the Saed console, a base and a set of connected dumbbells.
The console, which sits on top of the user’s chosen screen, houses the software which powers the entire system and includes a smart, AI-powered motion tracking camera using advanced movement recognition.
The camera is able to track the velocity, acceleration and position of Staedium’s connected dumbbells, as well as the movements of the exerciser.
As a result, it can tell which exercise the user is doing and recognise the correct form – and only counts clean reps.
The connected dumbbells can be adjusted between two and 24 kg in seconds and are continuously scanned by the camera to identify their current weight and velocity.
The third element, the base, contains an integrated, removable workout bench and also functions as a home for all Staedium equipment.
Dr. Kianoush Missaghi, senior training experience manager at Freeletics, said: “We wanted to make Staedium the equivalent to strength training that playing soccer is for running.
"While you might be running just as much on the field, the setting, the emotions and
the mindsets are all completely different, so that the distance feels irrelevant compared to theexperience.
"It doesn’t feel like a workout, because it’s a hobby you enjoy. This is what Staedium is here to change about strength training."
The Staedium training programmes are a mixture of equal parts bodyweight and weight training, designed to give an all-round, full-body functional training experience.
With Staedium, Freeletics said it is looking to motivate users to exercise regularly without the effort associated with a “regular” workout, meaning the "end of boring workouts".