Virtually Hike Through the Swiss Alps While Exercising With This App

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By Luisa Rollenhagen2013-08-20 10:41:50 UTC

Working out can be incredibly monotonous, especially if you're aimlessly pounding away on your gym's treadmill or elliptical.

Exercise app BitGym aims to liven up workout routines by allowing users to stream exercise programs that feature realistic trails and interactive fitness activities on their tablets and smartphones.

See also: 8 Fantastic Fitness Apps to Keep You Motivated

BitGym, which aims to raise $30,000 on Kickstarter, will run on both iOS and Android platforms.

The app allows users to select a variety of interactive road and trail tours in which they can hike, run, and bike through the Swiss Alps, along the California coastline or down the streets of France. According to its Kickstarter page, more tours will be added in the future.

Image: BitGym

BitGym also takes the concept of a workout buddy to a new level. Through an online multiplayer platform, users can run or bike on trails together, as well as communicate via voice chat. For optimal performance, however, a good Wi-Fi connection is necessary to experience the multiplayer function.

What's more, users can download the immersive tours on their tablets or phones, and use them offline at the gym, later on.

"People have been building interactive cardio for decades, going back as far as the Puffer bike from

Companies such as Peleton have previously tried to make gym-confined exercise more fun and group-oriented, but Gourley explains that BitGym is unique in its use of incredibly detailed outdoor environments and wide array of tours and trails, which are all packaged together with the app's interactive features.

For Gourley and his team, the breakthrough moment was seeing the iPad 2 and its front-facing camera. Because of its accessibility, Gourley says, "We had this crazy idea we could use just that with no hardware at all."

At the time of writing, BitGym has raised $8,400 on Kickstarter, with 33 days left in its campaign.

Do you think the app would improve your workouts? Let us know in the comments, below.

Image: BitGym

Topics: Apps and Software, fitness, Health & Fitness, kickstarter, Startups, Tech