7A:Testing the Hypothesis Part 1

Opportunity: Cardio machines make working out monotonous and feel like a chore because they only expose users to a minimal range of motion and lack stimulation.

Who: Anyone who owns a cardio machine (Gym or Individual)

What: Typical cardio machines only expose the user to a limited range of motion and they lack stimulation.  

Why: The limited range of motion doesn’t give users a well-rounded workout and workouts can be boring.

Testing Who: This who applies to anyone that uses cardio machines. This who is especially strong during the winter months up north, when running outside may not be appealing or possible. This need however does not apply to those who like cardio machines.

Testing the What: Cardio machines are designed to only expose the user to a limited range of motion. This is true of all cardio machines. Additionally, some have built in TV’s which give some stimulation.

Testing Why: Some users are creative with their workouts and adjust the way they use cardio machines to work out other muscle groups so they may not perceive this as a need.  

Interview 1:

·      I interviewed a 25-year-old female who is a regular gym goer. She lives in New York and regularly takes fitness classes, especially during the winter months, because she feels that cardio machines and weights can get boring. She agrees with me that the cardio machine hasn’t been changed in a very long time and needs to be updated.

Interview 2:

·      I interviewed a 23-year-old female who is a regular gym goer. She lives in Miami and says she recently quit her gym membership because she no longer was having fun with her workouts. She opted for CrossFit instead. She was mainly drawn to CrossFit because it gave her a community that kept her accountable to her fitness goals. She agrees that the cardio machine can make working out boring.

Interview 3:

·      I interviewed a 57-year-old male who is a regular gym goer. He lives in Miami, Florida. He agrees that cardio machines can be boring. Because of this, he finds himself running to and from the gym to work on his cardio, ultimately avoiding the cardio machine. Because he lives in Miami, he is able to do this year-round

Interview 4

·      I interviewed a 21-year-old male college student. He is a regular gym goer who spends most of his time in the weight room. When I asked whether he was satisfied with today’s cardio machines, he said that he finds them uninteresting and avoids them all together.

Interview 5:

·      I interviewed a 22-year-old female college student. She is a regular gym goer who uses cardio machines weekly for her gym workouts. She uses them because she likes how cardio makes her feel but she doesn’t enjoy using them. She agrees that there is room on the market for a more exciting cardio machine.

Summary:

After interviewing a variety of gym goers, I found that an opportunity for a revised cardio machine exists. All five of my interviewees where unsatisfied with the current selection of cardio machines. Some of my interviewees ditched the cardio machine all together while others still used it but weren’t excited about it. After these interviews, I found that an opportunity definitely exists.