Moov Tracker Could Introduce New Era of Digital Integration in Fitness Training [Video]

A new digital training device called "Moov" is being touted as a revolutionary step in fitness reinforcement.

Moov is being crowd-funded with pre-orders available for a limited time at $59.95, and is being introduced to prospective buyers as "your new coach."

The project is the result of three founders; Meng Li, Nikola Hu and Tony Yuan. They represent a base of experience grounded in Apple engineering and Microsoft sensor research.

Worn on the wrist like a watch, in much the same fashion as many exercise trackers already on the market, Moov promises to do much more than has been possible in past fitness products. More than one Moov "core" can be worn to support enhanced features, such as wearing one on each wrist for the boxing application.

With guidelines for sports and exercise activities pre-loaded into Moov's memory, and with the help of headphones, the device gives its wearer real-time tips on the activity being performed and ways to improve.

Moov fitness trainer gives you coaching as you progress through your workout with tips such as, "Shorten your stride and land softer" during a running workout, according to an informational video from the makers. It comes with five different sports already loaded into the memory and can be upgraded with future releases that are still in development.

The secret behind the device is its capability to carry out complex 3-D mapping.

"It is akin to a Leap Motion because it uses a combination of those sensors to map an object in 3D space," Li told CNet in an interview.

The product requires connection to a mobile device and is currently compatible with iPhone 4s and above. The company states on its FAQ that it is currently developing an android application that will hopefully be available at the time of the official product launch, which is slated for summer 2014.

The claims being made by the company's promotional materials represent a definite next step in the evolution of integrating technology with physical fitness, and trial runs by critics appear to be promising.

"If it does everything it says it will, and performs as well as it did for my test-drive, the Moov will be the first wearable gadget I've seen so far that really teaches you how to exercise correctly, and be the closest connected device yet to resemble an actual digital personal trainer," wrote Jennifer Jolly of USA Today after reviewing the product.