Getting into bodybuilding is never easy, since it is rare for a beginner to correctly assess his physical abilities (and the corresponding weights). The LG Labs Hover Gym project aims to put an end to this problem thanks to instruments that adapt in real time to the physical capacity of their user.
Passing on the LG stand at CES in Las Vegas, the presence of connected dumbbells piqued our curiosity. At first, we didn’t believe it at all. At the show where brands connect everything and anything, how can you take a company that wants to connect pieces of metal seriously? After briefly trying the product, our opinion changed.
bodybuilding for dummies
Today, the LG Hover Gym is a concept product. The brand plans to market it in the course of 2024, but nothing is certain for the moment. The product’s mission is to help beginners build muscle by exempting them from all the thinking phase normally obligatory when starting out. Which weight to choose? What exercises to do? Should the load be increased or decreased? Are we standing properly? LG’s machine takes care of everything.
The Hover Gym somewhat resembles the Wii Balance Board. When you get on it, the device analyzes the weight of the user and his state of health. Thanks to a screen located in front of the scale, we then choose a physical activity. Two instruments are offered: an asymmetric bar and rubber bands. In both cases, they must be connected to the scale.
The magic of the product is that the user does not have to pre-select weights. The machine will automatically suggest the best choice and automatically adjust it based on ease or difficulty of use. On the screen you can see the simulated weight. 6 kilos per arm, 8… As soon as you get tired, the robot can reduce the load to motivate its user to finish the exercise.
At the end of each session, the Hover Gym screen gives a score out of 100, along with advice. Should I stand straighter? Was it necessary to make more flexible movements? Numerama was able to quickly try the product and find the concept brilliant, especially since it could allow a lot of people to get into bodybuilding without having to buy several dumbbells (or change weights between two exercises). At a time of the emergence of services like Apple Fitness+ or even Netflix, in partnership with Nike, such an instrument could have real potential.
Only limit, the Hover Gym may be expensive. A price of around 1,500 dollars was whistled at the stand.