Overview

A client engaged Shadowcast to develop an Augmented Reality (AR) Fitness coaching application designed to deliver interactive training guidance directly within a user’s physical environment. The goal was to create an immersive workout experience where users could follow 3D coaching animations, monitor performance, and switch seamlessly between AR and VR viewing modes.
The application combined modern AR/VR capabilities—including precise 3D model placement, immersive stereo viewing, and performance tracking—to deliver a highly adaptive and personalized coaching experience.

Challenge

The core challenge was to merge advanced 3D animation with mobile AR and VR technologies in a way that felt natural, responsive, and intuitive.
The client required a mobile platform capable of:

• Rendering complex 3D movement animations.

• Anchoring a virtual coach accurately in the user’s real-world space.

• Supporting both AR and VR headset modes.

• Delivering consistent performance across varied devices and environments.

Traditional fitness apps lacked the spatial intelligence and immersive quality needed for this type of experience, demanding a tightly engineered, cross-platform architecture.

Solution

Shadowcast delivered a proof-of-concept AR coaching application built on a unified mobile architecture, integrating real-time rendering, AR placement, VR support, and performance tracking.
Development Process

• 3D Asset Creation: Character models and motion animations were created in Blender to ensure realism and fluidity.

• Engine Development: Unity served as the core engine for assembling assets, managing interactions, and rendering AR/VR experiences.

• AR Integration: AR Core enabled surface detection and precise “Scan & Tap” placement of the virtual coach inside the user’s environment.

• VR Support: Cardboard integration allowed the application to split the display into an immersive stereo mode suitable for lightweight VR headsets.

Application Workflow

• Catalogue Access: Users browse curated workout categories such as “Selected for You,” “Recently Added,” and “Your Favorites.”

• Workout Selection: Viewers choose a routine—such as TRX training—along with preferred intensity levels (Low, Medium, High).

• Environment Setup: The app prompts users to “Scan & Tap” to place the 3D virtual coach into their physical space.

• Viewing Mode Options: Users may continue in standard Mono mode or switch into Stereo/Cardboard mode for a deeper VR experience.

• Stats & Review: After the session, the application displays visual performance indicators within the “Your Stats” dashboard.

Impact

The AR Fitness coaching application delivered an immersive, interactive training platform that shifted the fitness experience from passive video viewing to dynamic, spatial instruction.
By blending AR placement, VR immersion, and real-time 3D coaching, the app allowed viewers to follow workouts as if guided by a live digital trainer standing in their own space. This personalized, environment-aware experience demonstrated the potential of AR-based instruction across fitness, training, and performance-driven learning.
The platform also acts as a digital overlay system, projecting complex motions and guidance directly into real space—making abstract instructions tangible, precise, and accessible through standard mobile devices.