4 Fun Augmented Reality Apps for Fitness
By mixing your phone’s digital features with elements of your real-world surroundings, augmented reality (AR) apps add another dimension to your smartphone’s capabilities. In many cases, these exciting apps can even help improve your fitness game. Liven up your fitness routine with these motivating (and ridiculously fun) AR apps.
Sign up forfree
Forgot your password?
Create an account
*Required: 8 chars, 1 capital letter, 1 number
By continuing, you agree to thePrivacy PolicyandTerms of Use.You also agree to receive our newsletters, you may opt-out any time.
Use your body as the controller for the games that will have you moving in no time. With 14 different games included, there’s something in Active Arcade for everybody.
To get started, prop your device on the floor or a desk, depending on which game you’re playing. The app uses your device’s camera to detect your movement. Tutorial videos explain how to play each game before you get started, so you have a better sense of where to jump, kick, and reach.
Active Arcade makes the most of its technology with a variety of game styles. High Kicks encourages you to tap or kick quick green orbs as they appear all over the screen. For Box Attack, meanwhile, move all around your space (and occasionally jump) in order to fit boxes as they appear.
Similar to Guitar Hero or Dance Dance Revolution, the SuperHits game has you slash or catch notes as they flow toward you on the screen. The upbeat pop and classical songs make following the beat easy, and you’ll get quite an arm workout before you even realize it.
Most of the games require no equipment. Dribble Tag, however, does call for a basketball or other ball you can bounce for the full effect. Some of the games, including Reaction Flow and Galaxy Jumpers, include a two-player option. Grab a buddy and compete against one another in these games in person or online.
Lastly, you also get a highlight video of your activities while gaming. A free gaming app with AR technology, Active Arcade is an incredibly fun way to bring more movement into your daily life.
Download:Active Arcade foriOS|Android(Free)
Make jumps, squats, push-ups, and more exercise way more enjoyable with the Tuby AR game app. Turn any place at all into your fitness zone with thisbeginner-friendly workout app.
Under theGamesscreen, select from a variety of games that encourage you to do burpees, pushups, planks, and much more. As simple and colorful boxes, circles, and other shapes drift across the screen, you’ll jump, squat, lunge, and generally move to avoid them.
In spite of this simple premise, the games are both challenging and engaging. It’s easy to get your heart rate up in no time at all, and sometimes those boxes fly across the screen much faster than you can catch (or avoid) them.
TheWorkoutsscreen, meanwhile, links together several different games for a more intense exercise experience. Focus on your arms, legs, cardio, or a whole body workout.
With the option to add your friends and compete against them in these AR games, the Tuby app gets even more dynamic. After all, there’s nothing like a little friendly competition to keep you inspired round after round.
Download:Tuby foriOS|Android(Subscription required, free trial available)
If mixed martial arts are more your style, then the AI MMA trainer app Kayyo is worth a try. Train with help from AR technology that checks your alignment and provides feedback.
Under theWorkoutscreen, follow along with the app’s AI trainer, Kitt, as a robotic voice instructs you to jab, uppercut, cross, and more. You can choose from different training types, including boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, and MMA.
Set the difficulty level and whether you have access to a punching bag or partner, then get started. The generated workout is fun to follow, whether you’re working on takedowns and reversals or punches and grappling techniques.
One of the most interesting parts of the Kayyo app is the Punch Rush challenge, in which you endeavor to throw as many punches as possible in 10 seconds. The videos analyze your movements in an instant, and you can also check your alignment when reviewing the video.
For a free app, Kayyo features plenty of fun and interactive AR elements that allow you to train anywhere. If you’d like to experiment with a variety of fighting styles and get a solid workout in the process, then this app is a great choice.
Download:Kayyo foriOS(Free)
4. Gymnotize
Use the Gymnotize app’s AR to learn how to lift weights correctly and perform dozens of exercises. Customizable avatars demonstrate the exercises for you, so the app is helpful for beginners as well. Whether you want anapp that offers weightlifting routinesor bodyweight routines, it offers something for everyone.
On theExercisesscreen, select from a huge library of individual workouts, from sit-ups to side planks. Your avatar will demonstrate the way to perform each workout, while on-screen counters keep track of your time lapsed.
To bring the avatar into your own space, tap theellipsisin the lower left-hand side of the screen, then tap theicon with six arrows. When I tried this out, a (somewhat gigantic) avatar of a person immediately appeared in my office, demonstrating the correct way to do a side bend.
TheWorkoutsscreen, meanwhile, combines exercises to form beginner-friendly, bodyweight, and targeted workouts. Simply select the one you want and follow along with your avatar.
If you’re looking to learn some new techniques or develop a reliable at-home workout, the Gymnotize app provides a solid library of exercises and routines. If you’re already a fan offree online workout generators, then this app offers some similar features right on your smartphone.
Download:Gymnotize foriOS(Subscription required, free trial available)
Check Out AR Apps for Dynamic and Fun Workouts
For the most part, augmented reality AR exercise apps provide a fresh way to explore new fitness possibilities. By incorporating gamification elements, these apps not only enable you to improve your technique, but they also encourage friendly competition via virtual matches. With the added incentive of achieving high scores, these interactive and habit-forming apps offer an enjoyable, effective way to augment your fitness journey.
Love fades, even for the best open-source darling.
My foolproof plan is to use Windows 10 until 2030, with the latest security updates.
Not Linux, not Windows. Something better.
Your phone’s camera app doesn’t show this, so it’s easy to miss.
Your iPhone forgets what you copy, but this shortcut makes it remember everything.
It saves me hours and keeps my sanity intact.
