Working out by yourself can be very effective, but a lot of us need a training buddy to stay motivated. Yet what if you don’t have anyone to help you out? It’s not like you could just conjure up someone. Or can you? Meet Ghost Pacer, the hologram that’s always up for some cardio.
Virtual workout partner
Ghost Pacer is described by its makers as the “next-generation outdoor workout”. It’s basically a virtual running partner only you can see through a set of mixed-reality glasses. So next time you can’t get anyone to go running with you, just pop on the glasses and one will come to life before your very eyes.
Just like a real running partner the 3D avatar is said to maintain a realistic pace. The program takes into account what it’s actually like to run uphill and downhill. If you’re working towards a certain goal, it’s possible to set the pace of the hologram runner and adjust it to what you need. It’s also possible to run against yourself by pulling up old workout data. You can even run against friends (that sneakily go running without you) if they share their runs on Strava. And then when you’re ready for it, why not race against some Olympic athletes?
Live running stats
If you’re big on stats there’s a pacing mode. This will display your live running stats inside the glasses, so you don’t have to check your smartwatch. But a smartwatch isn’t totally useless in combination with the mixed-reality glasses. There’s a Pro version that allows you to connect the glasses with the heart rate sensor in most popular smartwatches.
Ghost Racer is a Kickstarter project and for a pledge of 229 USD the hologram runner can be yours. We do always advise to be careful with crowdfunding campaigns, because you never know… This does sound like something that could be very useful though. And if we might make a small suggestion: maybe customization options for the avatar? So you could really track your progress by running against yourself for example. Or a hologram you find attractive to keep you more motivated. Just some thoughts.
Of course you don’t always feel like going outside to exercise. For those days we found some effective online workouts to tackle in the comfort of your own home.
