A mat that can become your fitness instructor : SmartMat

Gone are the days when workout demanded just a purchase of durable sportswear and exercise equipments. Ever since technology has entranced fitness, it has only become more innovative by the day helping people to easily get in shape using various strategies. SmartMat is the new kid in town. The name says it all. It is mat that is smart, smart enough to be your fitness instructor.

The SmartMat consists of sensors that can measure balance and monitor the user’s position. Using this data it collects, personalized advice and feedback is delivered to improve and encourage the fitness regime.

This mat looks very much like your conventional yoga mats. However, it is embedded with tiny sensors that can connect to devices such as your smart phones or tablets. Obviously, it is the smartphone companion App that talks out loud and acts as your instructor.

The user must enter details such as height, weight, age and other physical details in the App. After laying down the mat on a flat surface and positioning yourself according to the dictation of the App, a calibration process takes place to help the mat understand the owner’s physique. The body type and measurements are determined using the sensors. The App also tells the user to maintain certain postures so that the map can learn even more about the user. Once the calibration process is done, you are good to go.

As the mat is not syncronised to the user’s body, the mat can determine the balance, posture, pressure and few other quantities and announce alterations and feedback.

You can choose various fitness options and change settings in the App to meet your needs. Curated lessons can be downloaded and these lessons are used to guide the fitness regime of the user. There are three modes of usage of this SmartMat, namely Home use, Class Assist and Zen Mode. Home Use is the priliminary version and Class Assist is more organized.

In both these modes interactive and real-time feedback is voiced out by the App during the workout. In Zen mode, the App works by recording the entire workout and announces the feedback at a later time, hence allowing users who want an undisturbed workout just what they need.

This product is currently seeking funding and is available at half price for a limited period.