The Groove

A home gym that blends into your living space

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Industrial Design, School of Design, Pratt Institute, July 2020

 
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Contents

I. The Story of American Fitness Culture

“If we stand idly by, if we seek merely swollen, slothful ease and ignoble peace, if we shrink from the hard contests where men must win at hazard of their lives and at the risk of all they hold dear, then the bolder and stronger peoples will pass us by, and will win for themselves the domination of the world.”

-Theodore Roosevelt, 1903

How It All Began

“President Roosevelt chopping, Sagamore Hill, President’s country home” from the Library of Congress

“President Roosevelt chopping, Sagamore Hill, President’s country home” from the Library of Congress

The fitness movement didn’t gain traction in the United States until the 1960s, but Theodore Roosevelt’s 1899 Strenuous Life speech helped spawn the subculture from which it was born. While he was the Governor of New York, Roosevelt made an impassioned speech about the virtue of hard work and tenacious effort in one’s career, politics and physical routine [1].

However, the virtues Roosevelt preached differed from the fitness revolution that emerged in the decades that followed. Roosevelt’s fitness regimen of physical labor, nature walks, and recreational boxing transformed into fitness gurus in lycra tights, chirping out inspirational bromides over pulsing music. The masculine toil over an iron axe and logs evolved into oiled up bodybuilding and dance-based calisthenics. Perhaps this is not the lifestyle Roosevelt envisioned, but his influence most certainly planted the seed of physical vitality as a quintessential American virtue.

About thirty years after Roosevelt’s famous speech, Jack LaLanne launched the first successful modern fitness campaign, producing and starring in home television fitness shows and later opening a brick-and-mortar gym franchise [2,3]. LaLanne’s empire was the inspiration for thousands of spinoffs. Now 62.5 million Americans are members of the almost 40,000 gyms across the country [4].

But how did this fitness revolution happen? There is no single explanation, but a combination of factors changed the way Americans understood personal health.

The 1940s and 50s saw major breakthroughs in medical treatments like antibiotics. The introduction of penicillin spawned antibiotics that could treat and cure previously deadly diseases [5]. In the late 1940s, fluoride was introduced to the water supply, improving dental health by reducing tooth decay.

In the midst of medical successes, a rush to put new medications into the market led to some disastrous mistakes - like the thalidomide scandal. Doctors prescribed thalidomide to treat various issues like anxiety, insomnia, and nausea. The drug had not been thoroughly tested, and after having been prescribed to pregnant patients, resulted in the disfiguration and death of thousands of infants [6,7,8].

In the 1950s, medical insurance was afforded to a much larger segment of the US population, offering a mixture of private health insurance for the wealthy and welfare for the poor. The price of medical care doubled, leaving many unable to afford insurance and healthcare. On top of this, hospitals were struggling with a shortage of doctors [8]. The nation’s confidence in the medical system plummeted from 73% in 1966 to 34% by 1980 [6].

Alexander Fleming, the man who discovered penicillin in 1928. Photo courtesy of the Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum via the New York Times.

Alexander Fleming, the man who discovered penicillin in 1928. Photo courtesy of the Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum via the New York Times.

From dissatisfaction and skepticism grew a sense of ownership over one’s own health. Suddenly the nation realized that despite medical advances, there was no, and would never be a medical panacea for aging and disease. Life expectancy lengthened, and fears shifted to the degrading body and mind. Americans were now preoccupied with preserving their youth [6].

This new outlook was accompanied by changing threats to Americans’ lives. While the new antibiotics rendered bacterial infections minor treatable conditions, a different disease took its place as the number one killer of Americans: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) [6,10]. Besides cures for other diseases paving the way for a new name on the leader board, the 1960s saw a distinct spike in CHD. The cause of this is unclear-- perhaps it was lurking behind other, now curable diseases that would otherwise take the blame for lost lives. It could also have been the changing lifestyle of Americans-- more of whom were leading sedentary lives behind desks [6,10,11].

Whatever the reason, evidence emerged that lifestyle choices like alcohol, tobacco, diet and exercise could directly affect the likelihood of contracting CHD [6]. Efforts were made to educate Americans on making healthy lifestyle choices [10]. The concept of conscious living being the best preventative medicine emerged, spawning the modern wellness revolution.

 

The Early Days of Wellness

Photo courtesy of jacklalanne.com

Photo courtesy of jacklalanne.com

About a decade before the CHD spike, televisions became a staple in the American household. Nearly two-thirds of Americans had purchased a television set by 1955 [12]. While this piece of technology could be blamed for encouraging unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles, it can also be credited for shaking them out of it.

Jack LaLanne began his career by making home fitness videos in 1951. They first aired in his home city of San Francisco, but by 1959 appeared on television stations across America. They were so popular, one could even consider the television to be the most widespread piece of personally owned fitness equipment in history.

LaLanne’s videos were followed by household names like Jacki Sorenson in 1969 [11], Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda. All of whom skyrocketed to fame. In 1968, Dr. Kenneth H Cooper published his wildly successful book, “Aerobics.” Cooper gave aerobic fitness research-based legitimization and fueled the industry’s growth. His medical “thumbs-up” energized workout warriors in living rooms across the country.

Dr. Cooper’s awareness campaign for aerobic exercise didn’t just bring body-sculpt cardio dance into the forefront of popular culture. His work was the impetus for an entire movement of running, which flourished throughout the 1960s and 70s [6,13]. Jim Fixx’s 1977 best-seller The Complete Book of Running also helped popularize regular jogging and demonstrate its health and psychological benefits. In 1970, only 126 people entered the New York City Marathon, but by the mid-1980s, the marathon’s organizers had to cap entries at 20,000. An entire culture of running permeated the fitness industry. Enthusiasts subscribed to runner magazines, ate special runner diets, joined runner cubs and bought special equipment and attire for running [6].

Cooper’s book gave health conscious Americans exactly what they were looking for-- a guide to prolonged youth. Fitness enthusiasts were not shy about preaching the benefits of their lifestyle. Similar to Theodore Roosevelt’s claims decades earlier, they insisted it gave them an edge over less athletic colleagues. Daily workouts made people feel more energized, allowing them to work harder and faster. Endorphins born of lifting weights and morning jogs kept them feeling happy, calm and alert. Once large corporations began to recognize the benefits of a physically fit workforce they started investing in company health centers. Money started flooding the fitness market, and club gyms became a fixture of the American landscape.

 

The Rise of The Club Gym

Vic Tanny in his Westwood, California Gym. Photo courtesy of Life Magazine Archive

Vic Tanny in his Westwood, California Gym. Photo courtesy of Life Magazine Archive

Jack LaLanne’s career of normalizing fitness in the American household did not begin and end with his iconic exercise videos. He also opened a chain of fitness studios in 1936 called LaLanne European Health Spa, which he later licensed to Bally’s. LaLanne also invented the first pulley-based weight machines like calf, leg extensions and squat machines, which he never patented [2,14].

The model of the modern fitness center was largely influenced by LaLanne’s club gyms and the weight machines he populated them with. When employers caught wind of the exercise-as-preventative-medicine concept, they began investing in on-site LaLanne-style corporate gyms. Businesses were hoping a healthier workforce would curb their annual $3 billion loss caused by illness. On top of that, medical insurance premiums were rising, prompting Fortune 500 companies like Kimberly-Clark to write $2.5 million dollar checks for their own fitness centers, a staggering investment at the time [15].

Club gyms also started to proliferate, serving the rest of Americans whose employers didn’t provide a corporate fitness center. Vic Tanney’s gyms were popular as early as the 1950s and 60s, but after an aggressive expansion bankrupted the business, the path was paved for the fitness giants that are still around today. Joe Gold founded Gold’s Gym in Venice, California in 1965, which grew into the World Gym Chain in 1977 [16]. 24 Hour fitness was founded in 1983 and was eventually acquired for $1.6 billion [17]. LA Fitness was founded in 1984, and LaLanne opened up over 200 club locations before licensing to Bally Company [16].

In 1989, 13,047 gyms were open in the United States, selling a collective total of 19.5 million gym memberships [4]. Health clubs became the modern agora of the physically fit. To some, the locker room was an extension of the board room [15]. To others, the gym floor was an emporium of like minded people ready to be chatted up [18]. People went to the gym out of a sense of virtue and self-improvement, but stayed for the social atmosphere. The group aspect of group fitness kept people coming back.

 

The Rise Of The Home Gym

Photo courtesy of Bowflex

Photo courtesy of Bowflex

Home gym equipment began appearing on the market around the same time as club gyms. Arthur Jones invented The Blue Monster in the late 1960s, which he later sold to Nautilus in 1986 [19]. Jerry Wilson improved upon the traditional Nautilus weight machine by replacing heavy plates with rubber straps in 1978. He named it the Soloflex, and its lightweight appeal in the home gym market sold 30,000 units in 1984. Bowflex also dominated the market with a similar design that used a system of polymer rods, or “power rods” to provide resistance [20]. Tom Campanaro designed The Total Gym in 1974, and launched a company around it in 1976 [21]. William Staub brought the home exercise treadmill to market in the 1970s, and was able to move 2,000 units per year by the mid-1980s [22].

As the 20th century came to a close, the fitness equipment industry grew steadily. Equipment manufacturers shipped $771 million in home fitness equipment in 1988, which grew to $3.5 billion over the next 18 years. Modern equipment like the elliptical hit the market, and commodities like the stair climber fell out of fashion. Stationary bike sales plummeted from 3.1 million units sold to 900,000 between the late 80s and late 90s, while treadmill sales climbed from 800,000 units sold to 3.1 million in the same decade [20].

Similar patterns continued throughout the early aughts, but as a whole, the fitness equipment industry was growing larger and stronger every year. In 2006, the industry was valued at $4.7 billion, but not because large gyms were buying equipment in bulk. Only 24% went to club gyms-- the remaining 76% was personal home gym sales [20].

 

The Battle Between The Home And The Club

Photo courtesy of The Horizons Tracker

Photo courtesy of The Horizons Tracker

One would think there would be competition between home fitness and group fitness, but the relationship between the two fitness categories is far more complex and symbiotic. The home fitness industry and club fitness industry seem to exist and grow in harmony together. It may be one of the few industries where there is truly enough room for both competitors to thrive. This may be because these two products serve very distinct markets and needs.

At first glance, it seems that club gyms and home gym manufacturers are both selling fitness, health, wellness, hope and even sex. But that’s not really what they’re selling. Club gyms are selling community. Home gyms are selling privacy and convenience.

Club gyms offer a physical space where, upon entering, your mindset realigns to the task at hand: your fitness goals. People who feel the need to go to a gym to exercise are similar to people who try not to watch TV in bed, or eat meals outside the dining room. They are sanctuary seekers. They prefer to transition from task to task both mentally and physically. They thrive on social pressure for accountability. Their workouts are fueled by inspiration from the like minded people around them and a sense of obligation to execute on what they came to the gym to do.

Home gyms offer privacy and complete autonomy. There are countless reasons why people like to exercise alone. Maybe they’re embarrassed to work out in front of people they perceive as more experienced or judgmental. Maybe they don’t want to have to commute, and would prefer to jump on their personal equipment at any time of day. Home gym buyers are not looking for accountability. They’re not looking to broadcast the ugly, sweaty side of physical fitness. They want to make their physical transformation like a caterpillar in metamorphosis.

Yes, both club and home gyms are health and wellness focused. And their marketing campaigns appear very similar at the surface. But they are occupying very different markets, and appeal to very different demographics. For club gyms to survive, they need to keep their customer base engaged and committed to renewing their memberships. Home gym manufacturers do not have the same burden. They only need to make the sale once. Then it is up to the consumer to decide if they’ll follow through. Many times, people buy a home gym, but can’t maintain an effective fitness regimen on their own, so they wind up joining a gym anyway.

 

The Unique Demographics Of Home And Group Fitness

Advertisement courtesy of Spy Magazine

Advertisement courtesy of Spy Magazine

Photo courtesy of The Doctor Weighs In

Photo courtesy of The Doctor Weighs In

For years people have been looking for the secret behind fitness motivation. Why are some people able to rise from their beds every morning and push their bodies to physical extremes while some people can’t help but hit the snooze button? Exercise is unpleasant for everybody. There are certainly some who enjoy it more than others, but when the entire point is physical strain, even the most dedicated fitness junkies will admit that the best part is finishing.

So what have we found out about the psychology behind working out? Some studies suggest the most explicit determinant of how and why a person chooses to exercise is their age. As we age, our priorities shift. The Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST) suggests that older individuals are motivated by the present, while younger individuals are motivated by future-oriented goals. Older demographics seek to deepen existing relationships and make meaningful connections with people in their lives. Younger demographics tend to be more motivated by self-improvement-- whatever will contribute to their vision of personal success-- whether it be education, social and professional connections, physical beauty etc [23].

After analyzing patterns in the preferences of senior adults, one study found they are motivated by meaningful social interactions. They were twice as likely to partake in physical activity if it meant socializing with friends and family. Many seniors prioritize companionship and opportunities to cultivate their relationships, and when asked about what would entice them to exercise, they overwhelmingly responded with this request.

The same study found younger adults to also be motivated by social connections, but only as a means to achieve their personal goals. The social interaction that motivates younger demographics seems to be related to networking or encouragement. For example, a sense of competition will physically motivate a younger person to exercise more than a deep conversation [24].

 

Advancements In Home Gym Technology May Overtake The Club Gym

Photo courtesy of Best Health

Photo courtesy of Best Health

While home and club gym fitness markets have existed in harmony for the past 50 years, advancements in technology and design are beginning to close the gap in target audience. The community that club gyms offer is a major asset. Studies show that (no matter what demographic you fit into) exercising with other people is better for your emotional well-being. Exercising with others has shown to have significantly better mental health impact than exercising alone [25]. Group fitness can also stimulate a sense of competitiveness, which can contribute to motivation, and a more effective workout.

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Advancements in fitness wearables and digital class platforms offer the psychic and engagement benefits of the group fitness experience, with all the convenience of home gyms. Livestream exercise classes with high production value provide an effective group experience. Instead of a trainer pacing through their class, urging participants to work harder, coaches can monitor their participant’s efforts and milestones remotely. All while encouraging them through the screen. They can even give digital high fives and callouts. Live leader boards stimulate a sense of competition, and results can be distilled down to shareable infographics. Suddenly, a class of 1,200 doesn’t feel so big.

Peloton has led the charge to overtake the club gym. Since debuting their stationary bike in 2012, they’ve added a treadmill, weights and digital app to their product family. After doubling the number of subscribers from 2017, Peloton boasted a 4 percent lead over their club gym competitor, SoulCycle, in unique customers [26].

Other home gyms have produced something similar to Peloton. NordicTrack has implemented iFit into its family of fitness equipment. Not only does it offer live streamed classes, it offers pre-recorded classes with instructors leading picturesque outdoor activities. While you’re running on your treadmill, your instructor is running up a mountainous dirt path. The settings on your treadmill can even reflect the terrain you’re viewing. While this may not directly encroach on the community aspect of club gyms, it certainly demonstrates the potential to blow club gyms out of the water. Once VR headsets shrink down to a comfortable size, NordicTrack’s content could provide a convincing running, rowing, and biking buddy.

 

Money, COVID-19, And The Future Of Fitness

Photo courtesy of WWMT News

Photo courtesy of WWMT News

The COVID Pandemic is fundamentally disrupting the equilibrium between the club and home gym markets, forcing fitness enthusiasts to make substantial investments in fitness equipment in order to bridge a one year or more hiatus in access. A substantial number of these former gym members will never return, as they seek to amortize their sunk costs through long-term usage.

This trend is exacerbated by equipment manufacturers bundling services like live and pre-recorded classes along with a physical product, further blurring the distinction between the home and club gym experience. People are willing to pay enormous amounts of money upfront for their home gym, and even more for the subscriptions and benefits that can be added on. While large home gym equipment has always been expensive, it has never equaled that of an entire year’s gym membership.

The most basic NordicTrack treadmill will cost you $1,398 upfront, or $117 per month for a year. That is almost as much as you’ll be paying for an annual membership to Crunch Fitness. The most basic Peloton bike package will burn a $2,245 hole in your wallet (plus tax and delivery). That costs upwards of $187 per month for twelve months. The most basic Equinox package-- a notoriously expensive club gym-- costs only seven dollars less than that. Some budget club gyms like Planet Fitness only charge $10 per month for a basic membership. A basic Peloton package could buy you twenty years at Planet Fitness. After investing upwards of $2,200 on a Peloton bike, giving up and joining a gym is not an option for most people.

Screen shot courtesy of NBC4 News

Screen shot courtesy of NBC4 News

Now, in the era of COVID-19, club gyms have been forced to close. Many gyms have been offering live Zoom workout classes or live streaming classes online. But the longer the shutdown persists, the more people are turning to home fitness equipment to keep them moving. Gym memberships are being canceled and replaced with personal equipment and subscription services.

Many cities planned to reopen in June 2020, only three months after shutting down in March. However, as of the date of this writing, the country is in the midst of a second wave of infections across the country, further delaying the re-opening of gyms. Massive protests spurred by the murder of George Floyd further encourage people to stay close-to-home. A vaccine is still far off. Even when cities do reopen, people will be wary of high-risk environments. Gyms are enclosed spaces, teeming with bodily fluids and chances for infection. There is no amount of Lysol wipes, face masks and social distancing parameters that will enable a return to normalcy in the foreseeable future.

The longer the lockdown persists, the more the home gym market will supplant the club gym. There is little doubt that the post-pandemic “new normal ” for the club gym industry will be far smaller than its pre-pandemic scale.

 

The Gap In The Market

Photo courtesy of The Artful Roost

Photo courtesy of The Artful Roost

Home gym equipment was already having a powerful moment before COVID-19 shut the world down. Now it is dominating the fitness industry. But even with all the innovation that has landed these products on the cutting edge of design, they still come up short in their aesthetic quality.

Peloton bikes, NordicTrack rowers, Bowflex ellipticals all look out of place in the domestic environment. While their design is clearly well-executed, and they look great in a club gym setting, their shape and material finish is inconsistent with every living room and bedroom they wind up in.

Photo courtesy of Level Up House

Photo courtesy of Level Up House

People who have large houses with extra bedrooms, or space in their basement or garage can hide their equipment. But many Americans don’t have this luxury, or exercising in their unfinished basement is so unappealing that they’d rather leave their equipment in the middle of their living space. But when juxtaposed with an upholstered sofa or a bedside table, these black and silver objects look cold and alien.

Some manufacturers have attempted to solve this problem with collapsible equipment. These objects are meant to be easy to store under a bed or in a closet. Unfortunately, most of these products are not easy to maneuver. Every telescoping pole or hinge is an opportunity for instability. Nobody wants to exercise on shaky equipment. And after a rigorous workout, nobody wants to struggle with pins and levers to break down their device.

But there is another solution that doesn’t involve sacrificing your interior decorating sensibilities. Fitness equipment could be designed to look like furniture. Between furniture-like form factors and material choices, it wouldn’t be difficult to change the face of home gyms. They could simply be hidden in plain sight.

The “coffee table test” is a term used by designers to describe an object that somebody would consider beautiful enough to display on their coffee table. If a product does not pass the coffee table test, it requires a redesign. I submit that all fitness equipment fails the coffee table test. Despite this failure, people are forced to display these objects on their “coffee tables,” for lack of a better option. There is a gap in the market for fitness equipment that fulfills the aesthetic needs of home exercisers.

For my graduate thesis project I set out to combine material choices and form inspired by household furniture with exercise equipment.

 
 

II. Research

 

Play

I began by studying playgrounds as a case study. Playgrounds, and play in general, prompts people to move their bodies. I wanted my exercise equipment to possess similar qualities. Ones that might make exercise less of a chore. Where some movements might resemble play more than a monotonous grind.

Photo courtesy of Global Mobile Family

Photo courtesy of Global Mobile Family

I explored the psychology behind play in both children and adults, and tried to understand what prompts the kind of uninhibited excitement and drive that accompanies active play activities. Richard Dattner explained in his book, Design for Play in 1974, that play is an expression of human freedom. Play is freedom. It is the opposite of work and must be completely voluntary. If the goal of play is anything other than playing itself, it does not qualify as play. That’s not to say there aren’t productive outcomes of this activity. For example, the functional play theory hypothesizes play is practice for adult tasks, improves fine motor skills, and rehearses social interactions.27 It became apparent that it is impossible to trick people into exercising through play. As soon as play becomes goal-oriented, it becomes training. Ambulation during play must be completely voluntary and spontaneous. Therefore play can sometimes be exercise, but intentional exercise cannot be play.

It became apparent that encouraging spontaneous play is less of an industrial design problem and more of a physiological task. But that didn’t mean exercise couldn’t be playful, so I spoke at length with playground designer, Jay Beckwith, about various types of playgrounds and the apparatus that are on them. This laid the framework for the ideation phase that would follow.

 

Physical Health

Photo courtesy of the University of St. Augustine

Photo courtesy of the University of St. Augustine

Much of my early research focused on obesity and cardiovascular disease, and the most efficient ways to combat the sedentary lifestyles that caused them. It became apparent that, like play, influencing people to participate in a specific activity is not an industrial design problem. Manipulating a person’s desire to exercise is a deeply psychological issue. One that cannot be solved by redesigning a physical object. So I turned my attention to designing exercise equipment for people who would like to exercise, and researched how to make that experience more effective and enjoyable.

While researching exercise methods for novice exercisers, I spoke to Doctor Grayson Wickham, PT, DPT, CSCS. In our interview, Dr. Wickham explained the similarities between sedentary individuals and athletes who participate in only one type of exercise movement. Both types of people generally don’t move very well. Neglecting bodily movement diminishes mobility and flexibility, and neglecting all but a few muscle groups has the same consequence.

Mobility is the most important foundation for physical fitness. When Dr. Wickham is training inexperienced clients, he begins by improving their mobility before adding demands like weight, increased intensity, and decreased rest between each set. A good movement foundation means every joint in the body is moving appropriately, specific muscles can be activated around each joint, and each joint has an adequate range of motion.

We spoke about the ideal exercise machine and the limitations of current products. External support like padded seats and backrests on weight machines limit body movement. They are too restrictive and isolate muscles in a fixed range of motion. The best exercises give people the freedom to move their body, or isolate muscles by tightening and controlling their own body without an external support or frame. Dr. Wickham’s favorite weight machine is the plate loaded cable machine, which has two sets of independent cables on both sides. The user sets the height of the cable and pulls against the weight. The cable is flexible, and forces the user to tighten their muscles to control their form. The resistance can also be achieved with elastic resistance bands instead of lead plates.

When asked about his preference for cardio exercise machines versus resistance strength training machines, Dr. Wickham preferred strength training. Both types of exercise are essential for physical health, but strength training is far less accessible than cardio.

Image courtesy of the Panatta Worldwide Fitness Company

Image courtesy of the Panatta Worldwide Fitness Company

The major takeaway from this interview was the need for a strength training machine that enables the body to move freely while pushing and pulling against an adjustable level of resistance.

Dr. Kieth Diaz, assistant professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University, has a different perspective on what’s most important in physical fitness. He doesn’t view mobility as the key building block to physical health. He views physical health from the perspective of cardiovascular health-- studying what happens to this critical organ when a person exercises in different ways. While he agrees that mobility is incredibly important, he believes the most important thing is to simply get up and move the body. Diaz has observed a tendency in the fitness world to make exercise unnecessarily complex. Physical activity at any intensity will have health benefits, and the field of exercise physiology is starting to endorse a light-intensity high-frequency regimen. He believes the key to fitness is just getting started. People who maintain an exercise routine tend to enjoy it more than those who frequently quit and restart.

Diaz takes the emphasis off reinventing and over complicating fitness. For a piece of equipment to be successful, it simply needs to get people moving. Nothing fancy. An apparatus that guides simple but effective exercises could make fitness less daunting. Adding resistance is a bonus, and will keep users engaged as they progress.

 

Experiential Research

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Experiential research required me to physically participate in various types of exercise. Before beginning this project, I had six years of cross training and weightlifting under my belt. I also had twelve years of competitive gymnastics to draw from. However, I needed to remain engaged in the fitness community and maintain my connections with experts. I continued to attend CrossFit classes daily. I enrolled in Pilates classes to familiarize myself with the Pilates Reformer. This machine does an excellent job at facilitating a full-body workout. Workouts on the Reformer utilize both resistance and body weight exercises. The mechanism is relatively simple, and learning about Pilates body movements opened up a new variety of exercises I could target with my concept.

In addition to in-person instructor-led classes, I followed yoga and stretching videos from YouTube. Some videos instructed me to use common household objects like chairs to perform exercises and stretches. This experience introduced me to the four pillars of fitness: strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If my device was going to incorporate all four pillars, it was important for me to develop and maintain a personal expertise in each one.

 
 

III. The Design Process

 

Primary Problem

Make It Beautiful

Home exercise equipment doesn’t look right in the home environment. Gym equipment is large and qualifies as household furniture. However, it is not designed with its non-exercise furniture counterparts in mind. Until now, designers have not considered how this equipment looks in living rooms. They have not utilized forms, materials and finishes that blend with common household furnishings.

 

Secondary Consideration 1

Full-Body Workout

Home gym equipment has gotten very expensive, and most people are only interested in purchasing one piece of equipment. However, equipment like stationary bikes, treadmills, ellipticals and rowers offer a very limited range of motion and exercises. This could lead to the overuse of certain muscles and joints, resulting in injury. The most effective equipment will provide opportunities for a variety of exercises-- a full-body workout.

Secondary Consideration 2

Muscle Isolation

Traditional weight machines function by isolating the effort into a single muscle group. By supporting the majority of the body that is not moving, only the muscles engaging weight are exercised. While this isn’t always harmful, it is less effective than free-weight lifting and resistance exercises. These exercises force the entire body to engage, even when only one muscle group is doing most of the work. Developing a machine that will not excessively isolate muscle groups during strengthening exercises is preferable.

 

Ideation

I began designing by experimenting with traditional household furnishings and modifying them to afford various exercise behaviors. Once I discovered the most effective exercise mechanism-- one that can mimic the form of household furniture, provide a full-body workout, and function without over-isolating muscle groups-- I focused on modifying its aesthetics to compliment contemporary living rooms.

 

Tension Pole

Similar to the mechanism used with portable dance poles, the tension pole idea would provide stable, climbable equipment for the home. The tension pole does not need to be screwed into the floor or ceiling, and can support a person’s body weight and rigorous use.

I considered modifying the shape of the pole’s body to enable climbing, swinging and hanging movements. However, limitations in installation forced me to abandon the idea. Ceiling height (less than nine feet) and access to a beam, joist or girder severely limits installation location. Also, a ladder-like shape could allow for someone’s center of gravity to be placed too far away from the middle, where the mechanism is strongest. It would be almost impossible to ensure the safety of equipment like this without adding a large flange at the base and top. Additions like that would defeat the entire point of blending in.

To ensure people don’t pull the mechanism out of placement, two tension rods would be required. This led to the idea of the climbing bookshelf.

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Trampoline Chair

My cousin had a baby a few months ago, and she absolutely loves to be bounced. Not just a slight bend at the knee bounce, but a full squat bounce. She loves to be held in your arms as you drop your rear end to the ground-- a full 30 degree angle at the knees-- and then spring back up. I was at my peak of physical fitness back then (before COVID-19 spun me into a prolonged “cheat day” that has lasted several months). I bounced with her on-and-off for about an hour, and my legs felt like jello. It inspired a trampoline chair concept. Something that could support your body while squatting, or get your blood pumping for a cardiovascular workout.

The idea was abandoned because it didn’t pose enough exercise diversity. Yes, it could be used for squats, a fun bounding workout. You can even turn around, kneel on the seat and use the handlebars for dips. But it just didn’t seem like enough.

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The Post

A Verner Panton-inspired post concept came to mind in the wake of the tension rod and climbing bookshelf abandonment. The post was a free-standing, organic shape with a narrow rod-like center and platforms extruding out of it. While I still love the idea, and frankly love the object as a statement piece, it does not accomplish the primary goal of the thesis: blending in. It’s big, chunky and weird. Some have likened it to a butt-plug. But I think there’s something there. Plenty of exercises can be accomplished with this form-- especially if I took the time to develop it. But it would never blend into a standard living room, so I will keep this in mind for the future.

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Sliding Track Chair

I feel obligated to design exercises that won’t cause injuries. The sliding chair track concept was quickly abandoned when further research exposed the dangers of the movement it was based on. Twisting your spine against resistance can cause back injuries. Privacy is a major advantage of home fitness, but it is also a danger. Exercising alone means there is nobody looking out for you, making sure you are using your equipment correctly. It also means there may not be somebody around to help if you do hurt yourself. Home exercise equipment needs to be even safer than club gym equipment.

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Climbing Bookshelf

The original idea for the climbing bookshelf was meant to look like a heavy-duty Vistoe X-Post shelving system. A series of heavy-duty tension rods would line a wall with shelves for books connected stretched across them. Discretely hidden among books and knick knacks would be horizontal bars for climbing, chin-ups, leg lifts etc. However, the limitations of physics and ceiling joists killed the idea.

Not ready to completely abandon the concept, I designed a pyramid-like shelf that could be climbed. The wide base would theoretically stabilize the structure. I still think this idea could work, but absolutely nobody agreed with me, so I moved on.

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Rocking Chair

In an attempt to include a wide variety of age demographics in my exercise equipment, I experimented with a weighted rocking chair concept. I considered adding weight to a regular rocking chair and modifying the rockers to sway 360 degrees. Weight could be implemented with a plastic container inside the chair and filled with water. Liquid can be added or removed to adjust resistance. This concept was abandoned due to the limited variety of movements afforded by the rocking chair.

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Hyperextension Chair

The hyperextension chair seemed like a promising concept, but it was later abandoned for safety concerns and lack of diversity in the movements it offered. This chair would function as a comfortable seat, but provide a post for anchoring your feet. The user leans back to stretch or perform deficit crunches and sit-ups. You can flip over to target back muscles as well. It would also be possible to use the chair for box jumps and dips, but I could easily afford all these movements into a more advanced mechanism. There were also issues with safety regarding form. If the user breaks form, it’s possible to perform these exercises incorrectly, resulting in injury.

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Leg Press Ottoman

The leg press ottoman was a favorite concept among potential users. I could have either designed an ottoman and chair set, just an ottoman with a universal resistance mechanism, or just the resistance mechanism and sliders for existing ottomans. Any of these would have been possible, but there is a long list of issues each solution raises. For example, depending on the amount of stuffing in a lounge chair (causing the user to sink in and break form), the mechanism could be impossible to use. Also, most ottomans are made to go with a specific chair, matching their seat height. A universal ottoman will never actually be universal. It’s also possible the resistance mechanism could damage chair legs. Ottomans and chairs weren’t meant to be pulled outward. The only practical way to move forward would be to design a chair and ottoman set with the resistance mechanism built-in. I could even combine the concept with a safer version of the hyperextension chair. I would have moved forward with this concept if I didn’t think the next concept would be more successful...

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Expanding Bench

The expanding bench concept was inspired by cross training, pilates reformers and resistance band training. The everyday bench has a familiar form that is already commonly used for multiple purposes. Its lack of structure and explicit affordances leaves room for a wide variety of creative exercise. It doesn’t over-isolate muscles for any exercise movements, and I could see opportunities for add-ons and accessories.

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Prototyping

 

Phase 1

The first expanding bench prototype was made of OSB plywood. There was no padding on the top or sides. The middle of each unit housed a board with several rows of screw eyes. This allowed me to experiment with the height and location of the resistance bands.

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Discoveries

1. The arched top was great for indicating correct hand placement and allowing the user to push laterally without their hands slipping. However, I would like to experiment with decreasing the radius of the arc for a more subtle look.

2. The mechanism was most stable when the resistance bands were placed at the highest possible point.

3. The units need to be lower to the ground and wider than they are tall for maximum stability. This version felt very unstable, and unsafe to use.

4. There should be upholstery around the edges as well as the top of the units to prevent crushed fingers.

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5. The resistance bands need to be far stretchier than the ones I am currently using. Bungees that are wrapped in fabric are limited by the fabric stretch, and will not extend far enough.

5. The resistance bands need to be far stretchier than the ones I am currently using. Bungees that are wrapped in fabric are limited by the fabric stretch, and will not extend far enough.

6. The resistance bands cannot be so tight that it is difficult to expand the units to unhook the bands.7. The hooks need to be closer to the opening of the units so it is easier to handle them. It is too difficult to reach all the way inside.

6. The resistance bands cannot be so tight that it is difficult to expand the units to unhook the bands.

7. The hooks need to be closer to the opening of the units so it is easier to handle them. It is too difficult to reach all the way inside.

8. The units are difficult to keep aligned. The casters used on this prototype swivel on bearings. The wheels on the next prototype must be rigid. Perhaps larger wheels will help keep the units from turning.

8. The units are difficult to keep aligned. The casters used on this prototype swivel on bearings. The wheels on the next prototype must be rigid. Perhaps larger wheels will help keep the units from turning.

 

Phase 2

I chose to address some of the discoveries I made from the first prototype in my second, and set aside certain issues that would take more time to resolve. The second prototype included padding on the top and around two edges of the units. I experimented with special extra-stretch rubber extension “springs” from McMaster, which came in a variety of strengths. This allowed me to test different degrees of resistance. I later ordered metal extension springs with a variety of strengths. The metal springs had the capacity to stretch much farther than the rubber springs. I would continue to experiment with both options while developing a better hook mechanism for connecting the resistance bands/ springs.

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Discoveries

1. The units feel far more stable when they are wider than they are tall.2. The metal springs stretch far more than the rubber springs or bungees. I still need to develop a good connection mechanism.

1. The units feel far more stable when they are wider than they are tall.

2. The metal springs stretch far more than the rubber springs or bungees. I still need to develop a good connection mechanism.

3. The object looks heavy and clunky since there is very little clearance underneath it. The vertical edges also add to the severity. Perhaps tapered edges would help. The lack of space on the underside of the units was an effort to hide the wheels.…

3. The object looks heavy and clunky since there is very little clearance underneath it. The vertical edges also add to the severity. Perhaps tapered edges would help. The lack of space on the underside of the units was an effort to hide the wheels. No matter what you do, wheels on furniture do not look “homey.” They need to be disguised somehow to make the object seem convincingly furniture-like.

4. Perhaps some kind of internal track or telescoping structure will keep the units aligned. I will try this if larger wheels don’t make enough of a difference.

5. Even with rigid casters, the units are difficult to keep aligned. The wheels need to be larger to help keep the units moving laterally. Larger wheels will also roll across imperfect or soft surfaces. 6. If there is no internal frame or track syst…

5. Even with rigid casters, the units are difficult to keep aligned. The wheels need to be larger to help keep the units moving laterally. Larger wheels will also roll across imperfect or soft surfaces.

6. If there is no internal frame or track system keeping the units aligned, the resistance mechanism must run symmetrically between the units. Pilates reformers are mounted on rigid frames, so their resistance mechanism can be laterally distributed and asymmetrical while still evenly distributing the resistance. Two resistance bands on the top right and left corner between the boxes helps stabilize the units. To add more resistance, bungees will need to be connected down the center.

 

User Testing

Since the second prototype was far safer I was able to take it to experts and potential users for testing. Following is a list of the most useful feedback and discoveries I gathered during testing sessions.

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Discoveries

1. Need some sort of handle or overhang on the sides of the units to grab onto.

2. Would like the option of removable and adjustable back and arm rests.

a. When doing certain exercises, people felt they were missing a rigid structure for their backs to press against.

b. When doing leg presses and partner leg presses, people fell backwards. Some individuals felt they would be safer if there was a backrest or armrest to fall back on.

c. Adjustable armrests could be used to wedge feet underneath for sit-ups, or hold onto for lying leg raises.

d. Some people felt back and armrests might help make the bench look more furniture-like.

3. Some people thought the misalignment of the units was a positive feature. It could function as analogue feedback on body alignment.

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4. When users were exercising on the expanding bench, it would travel across the floor. This could be solved by making the middle unit rigid, so only the end units roll on wheels. However, some people felt the rolling could be used for exercises lik…

4. When users were exercising on the expanding bench, it would travel across the floor. This could be solved by making the middle unit rigid, so only the end units roll on wheels. However, some people felt the rolling could be used for exercises like pushing and pulling the units across the floor.

5. If the units were able to lock in place, they could be used for box jumps.

5. If the units were able to lock in place, they could be used for box jumps.

6. Resistance bands could be looped around the underside of the units for exercises like the bench press (with a rod between the loops to function as a barbell) or rows.

6. Resistance bands could be looped around the underside of the units for exercises like the bench press (with a rod between the loops to function as a barbell) or rows.

7. The washability of the upholstery was a major concern. People would be happy with removable slipcovers that are machine washable, but would also be content with a fabric that can be wiped clean.

7. The washability of the upholstery was a major concern. People would be happy with removable slipcovers that are machine washable, but would also be content with a fabric that can be wiped clean.

8. There was concern that a wipe-clean fabric (like the vinyl that is commonly used on fitness equipment) would look unattractive.

8. There was concern that a wipe-clean fabric (like the vinyl that is commonly used on fitness equipment) would look unattractive.

 

Phase 3

I experimented with a more organic shape for the third expanding bench prototype. The curves conceal the wheels, visually lighten the bench, and provide an overhang that can be gripped for security while exercising.

Concealing the wheels is important since exposed wheels are incongruous with a furniture-like aesthetic. Wheels immediately make the bench look like office furniture or a utility cart. The space the curves create allows the form to breathe-- visually lifting it off the ground so it appears lighter. The channel also provides a convenient overhang that people can hook their fingers around for extra security. It also makes it easier to loop resistance bands underneath.

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An attempt to simplify the bench by eliminating the middle unit. I also experimented with hiding the middle wheels with a three-wheel system. This concept failed because of the dangerous gap between the two units when pushed apart. The existence of …

An attempt to simplify the bench by eliminating the middle unit. I also experimented with hiding the middle wheels with a three-wheel system. This concept failed because of the dangerous gap between the two units when pushed apart. The existence of a middle unit filled the gap and could be grabbed when loosing balance. The middle wheel left an unstable overhang. Four wheels are necessary for the mechanism to function.

Experiments in form and wheel infrastructure. Attempted to integrate wheels in mid century-modern inspired clothespin legs.

Experiments in form and wheel infrastructure. Attempted to integrate wheels in mid century-modern inspired clothespin legs.

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Printed form experiments. I selected the fourth experiment to move forward with.

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I chose to make the third prototype out of steel rods to achieve this organic shape. The plan was to make a literal wireframe. Then I could cover it with cardboard or other quick prototype material to further modify the form. I could make cosmetic alterations while the steel frame maintained the prototype’s ability to bear weight and undergo testing. Steel seemed like a good material to experiment with the form in full scale because it could easily be cut, bent and re-welded into new shapes. However, as soon as I finished cutting and shaping all the parts, I realized I had made a huge mistake.

Considering my eight years of welding and metalworking experience, I am still bewildered that I didn’t foresee the issues I would have with this plan. MIG welding with quarter-inch steel rod is far from precise. The first issue is bending. It is very difficult to achieve identical curves in multiple rods on a manual bender. I tried tacking rods together and bending them as a group. This helped, but there were too many rods to do it all in one go, so I had to bend two separate groups. The rods were not identical, and their variable spring-back added to their inconsistency.

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The second issue is the warping that results from the heat of welding. If you want to construct a precise shape, you need to construct a jig-- or a structure that you can clamp your material to so it doesn’t warp as it cools from the weld. The organic shapes in the expanding bench made this nearly impossible under my time constraints. I clamped as many points as I could to the welding table and heavy blocks, but there was still plenty of warping.

As these issues dawned on me, the country was becoming more aware of the impending threat of COVID-19. The deadline for our third work-in-progress thesis presentation was also approaching. I had no choice but to make it work. I finished the prototype, but there were so many issues with it (beyond the imprecise construction) that I didn’t bother covering it with cardboard and experimenting with cosmetic changes. Below is a list of discoveries gathered while making and testing the prototype.

 

Discoveries

1. While it would be perfectly fine to make the bench a slightly organic shape, the mechanism must be precise. It only makes sense to prototype further using CNC techniques. The axles, wheels and resistance mechanism must be perfectly aligned.

2. Metal is too loud. Since this object is meant for use in a household environment, and it’s already at risk of being too noisy, all materials chosen for its construction must dampen sound. Metal does not do this.

3. Metal springs are out of the question. They are too loud and need to be covered because they can pinch skin. Springs look more menacing than rubber or latex resistance bands. There is a perception that if a spring broke or snapped out of its connector, it could do far more physical damage than a stretchy band.

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4. The tapered edge of the bench creates an overhang on each end of the bench. The overhang is dangerous and causes the end units to tip over. They would completely tip if it wasn’t for the bungees connecting them to the middle unit. The sides of the bench cannot extend too far beyond the wheels.

5. The larger rubber wheels did not do much to prevent the units from becoming misaligned.

6. I made the middle unit static (no wheels), and cut out four hubs for the end unit wheels to tuck into. I think this was a good aesthetic decision, especially because I can add a pop of color to the wheels that is only visible when the mechanism is in use. However, this makes aligning the units imperative. If the wheels don’t successfully return to their pockets, the units lurch and tilt, which is an unsatisfying experience. I will experiment with wider wheels (long rubber rollers) or build an internal telescoping frame to keep the units aligned.

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7. The middle unit needs to be heavier so it stays in place. Perhaps I can add a bladder to add water weight.

8. I ran out of time, so I wasn’t able to shape the “cushions” (which were made of hard pink foam for the sake of a cheap and quick prototype) to have rounded tops. It didn’t seem worth it to go back and add shape, since the prototype was a failure anyway. It did reinforce my assumption that the cushions needed to have an arched shape to improve grip. It was very difficult to push the units apart on a flat surface.

9. The bottom curve was the most successful element of this prototype iteration. I like the look and function of the wave-shaped base. This form gave the expanding bench its name, The Groove.

10. The springs were connected to the units on hooks, but while I was building the third prototype, I was also designing a better connection mechanism for the springs or resistance bands.

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a. The first concept was to have resistance bands (or springs) extending from both end units and both sides of the middle unit. The bands would connect to one another. I experimented with connection types, which resulted in these (unfortunate looking) spiral and peg connectors.

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b. I later realized I only needed a resistance band extending from the end units and hooking onto the middle unit. I developed the connection inspired by ball chain connectors. The concept evolved into the ball and keyhole mechanism that I refined during phase 4.

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Phase 4

I felt the COVID-19 lockdown approaching even though there was an enormous amount of uncertainty within the school. I was working non-stop to finish everything before the metal and wood shops closed down. I knew I was in an impossible race against a pandemic, so I made a plan to finish the last prototype in my tiny Brooklyn apartment.

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After learning how important precision is for this prototype, I turned to the CNC router. I designed the entire assembly on Rhino to make sure every element was perfectly aligned. I realized this would be my last chance to build an effective prototype. The wood and metal shops would soon close, leaving me nowhere to go to fix construction mistakes. There was very little room for error.

By the grace of god, I got the last CNC slot before the entire school shut down. My 3D printer (which was back ordered from when I ordered it a month earlier) arrived within days of the lockdown.

I took all the parts home and assembled The Groove in my living room. My 3D printer was running 24/7. My parents were pleading for me to abandon the prototype and fly home. But I stayed. I covered my apartment in plastic sheets. I shaped the foam cushions with a cheese grater. I ignored everything happening in the outside world and just built this thing.

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Discoveries

1. The first modification I made was the sizing. The third prototype was enormous. The extra seat space would be logical if back and armrests were added, since they would hover over the edges. However, I made the decision not to add any back and armrests for this thesis project. Executing an elegant attachment mechanism would be impossible with my time constraints. Without the back and armrests, the expanding bench became a true bench, and I adjusted the size to reflect that.

2. I eliminated the overhang from the end units. The overhang caused dangerous tipping. Without it, the user can put weight on any part of the bench unit, including the edges.

3. The wave shape was continued from the previous version. The shape continued to be successful in hiding the wheels, elevating the form, and providing a grip point for the user. However, I wish I had increased the height of the arc so it was easier to reach. The overhang is about an inch too low (or the seat an inch too high) to comfortably grab.

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4. I carried the wheel pocket concept over from the previous prototype. The pockets look great, but when the units become misaligned during use, the wheels get caught on the edge of the pocket. This causes everything to tilt and jam. The experience is extremely unpleasant.

I considered designing the wheels as long cylindrical rollers in an attempt to fix the alignment issue, but I didn’t want to change too many variables at once. Using a CNC to build this prototype meant everything would be perfectly aligned. The resistance bands would be centered, and the counter-resistance bands would be placed at the ideal location for increased stability. If this was enough to keep the units from rolling out of alignment while in use, I didn’t want to over-engineer the wheel solution.

While I believe this logic is sound, it was a mistake to assume the units wouldn’t continue to break alignment. The human pushing against the resistance bands will never be precise. Varying body alignment and allocation of force will always skew the bench out of alignment. If the counter-resistance bands were able to keep the units aligned, they would have to be stronger than the user.

I still want to test long rollers, but my gut tells me they wouldn’t solve the problem. They may not perform well on uneven floors-- wobbling and pivoting over bumps. Long flat bases do not generally perform well for balancing furniture.

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5. I solved the alignment problem by clamping two flat metal rods to the sides of the wheel pockets on the middle unit. The rods were hardly rigid-- having been secured with only one clamp each. But they guided the wheels back to the pockets perfectly every time. This proved that the internal frame will not have to be particularly rigid or complex. The wheels merely need gentle guidance back into their pockets. I believe a simple telescoping aluminum tube would do the trick-- one connecting each end unit to the middle unit.

6. I made the seats removable so the interior mechanism was easily accessible. This also enabled opportunities for storage. I did not have time to design special storage compartments for accessories, but I was able to demonstrate the concept in presentations.

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7. I wanted to get the cushions professionally upholstered so I could add a zipper. This was no longer possible with the COVID lockdown. Not only were businesses closed, the chaos and confusion caused exhaustion and delays. It did not make sense to attempt the upholstery myself, so I opted to keep the foam exposed.

In retrospect, I am glad I didn’t get the cushions professionally made. I no longer think the covers need to be removable. I originally thought a softer, non synthetic fabric was critical to achieving a furniture-like feel. But I took a deeper look at athletic equipment like the pommel horse and bicycle seats. I compared them to vinyl upholstery in cars and household furniture. I realized it is possible to make vinyl upholstery look and feel like leather. There is no need to remove a slipcover when you can simply wipe down the cushion.

8. I improved on the ball joint connections from Phase 3. The receiver was redesigned as a keyhole. I also reshaped the ball joint for aesthetic appeal. The ball joint can be pulled apart to replace the resistance band for a different strength.

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9. The resistance bands are attached to the end units. The connections evolved from a hook and loop to a ball joint. This way all connection forms follow the same language. These ball joints also pull apart for swapping out bands.

10. While the ball joint connection functions well and looks great, I would like to redesign the connection in future iterations. The resistance bands can be used independently of the bench for dozens of strength and stretching exercises. I can redesign the connectors to function as both a handle for exercising and a latch.

This concept will be especially useful when integrating the interchangeable nature of the ball joint. If the handle also comes apart, the resistance band can be swapped out for a different strength or replaced when it gets damaged.

11. The basins house the ball joints. The ball joints require a handle so they can be comfortably held. These handles must return to their correct slot in the basin every time the units close together. The basins are too shallow, so if the ball joint handle does not make it through its slot, the units will not close all the way. The effect is similar to when the wheels get stuck on the edges of their pockets. The unit jerks and tilts as the parts get jammed. It is very unpleasant. There are many ways to fix this, but it doesn’t make sense to dive deeper into them because I want to change the ball joint to a handle/ connector anyway.

 

IV. The Groove

 
 

How It Works

The Groove has three levels of resistance. You can engage one band for the least amount of tension, or two or three bands for a more difficult workout.

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Removable seats reveal the inner mechanism for storage and easy access to your resistance bands.

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Parts And Accessories

Resistance bands can be swapped for different strengths. This enables additional tension customization and easy replacement of damaged bands.

Resistance bands can be swapped for different strengths. This enables additional tension customization and easy replacement of damaged bands.

The end units are on rubber wheels, so they quietly glide across any type of flooring.

The end units are on rubber wheels, so they quietly glide across any type of flooring.

Handheld resistance bands are integrated into the bench. They can be used for bicep curls, seated and standing rows, tricep extensions and more.

Handheld resistance bands are integrated into the bench. They can be used for bicep curls, seated and standing rows, tricep extensions and more.

The barbell attachment functions as a telescoping tube that snaps into the resistance band handles. Its telescoping feature allows for easy storage. Since the resistance is provided by bands and not weights, it is lightweight and hassle-free.

The barbell attachment functions as a telescoping tube that snaps into the resistance band handles. Its telescoping feature allows for easy storage. Since the resistance is provided by bands and not weights, it is lightweight and hassle-free.

Resistance Band Training

Resistance band training is incredibly diverse, and incorporates the four pillars of fitness: aerobic, strengthening, stretching, and balance. All are important in maintaining physical health.

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When you buy a home gym, you are only investing in the exercises that machine can provide. Unlike treadmills and stationary bikes, the Groove enables a dynamic full-body workout.

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We all know how important it is to find a fitness regimen that compliments our unique lifestyles. We should be realistic about what physical health means to each individual, and how we choose to manage our lives and our living spaces. Taking care of ourselves goes beyond caring for our bodies, but our surroundings as well. We shouldn’t have to sacrifice one for the other. The Groove fits into your daily schedule and your living room.

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V. The Future

 

While I am very happy with how the expanding bench turned out, it is far from finished. As you have read in Phase 4, there are many elements I would like to improve upon. I believe The Groove has enormous potential, and the concept of fitness furniture fills a gap in the market that is just beginning to be addressed.

Since I began working on The Groove the “hidden in plain sight” gym market has exploded. Mirror, Tonal, Forme, and Tempo are all addressing the design problems I set out to solve. However, they are striving to hide an entire gym behind a single television screen. Their approach and execution is excellent. But choosing to tackle this problem through objects that fall out of fashion at a notoriously fast rate seems flawed.

Technology will play an increasingly significant role in fitness, but every advancement in its form has been an effort to make it less noticeable. The Samsung Frame TV was made to look like wall art. The Google Nest was inspired by ceramic objects to match home decor. If everybody is trying to design technology to look like non-technological objects, what’s the point in designing non-technological objects to look like technology?

Earlier in my thesis I critique fitness equipment for evolving very little throughout its existence. I stand by this as a basis for its redesign. However, the lack of evolution in fitness equipment is not necessarily a negative thing. It’s a sign that the objects functioned well from their inception. This is the same for furniture. The chair may have taken on different forms over the years, but its general shape and function has remained the same. Fitness equipment and furniture are lasting objects. Ones we can live with for long periods of time despite technology changing at blinding speeds. I think it is wise to disconnect fitness equipment from its technological counterpart. They should be separate entities. One entity is an analogue object that is used for many years. The other can enhance the experience, but is transient. The relationship between analogue fitness equipment and technology can be re-imagined as technology evolves.

Image courtesy of Samsung

Image courtesy of Samsung

Image courtesy of Google Store

Image courtesy of Google Store

The Forme, Photo by Peter Belanger/Courtesy of Architectural Digest

The Forme, Photo by Peter Belanger/Courtesy of Architectural Digest

The Mirror. Image courtesy of Wirecutter

The Mirror. Image courtesy of Wirecutter

Image courtesy of Tonal

Image courtesy of Tonal

Image courtesy of Tempo

Image courtesy of Tempo

 
 

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