ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Virtual Real.
Sec. Augmented Reality
Volume 6 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/frvir.2025.1613717
An Augmented Outdoor Workout System for Jogging and Calisthenics Support
Provisionally accepted
Vincenzo Armandi1
Lorenzo Stacchio2
Pasquale Cascarano1*
Shirin Hajahmadi3Lorenzo Donatiello3
Gustavo Marfia1- 1Department of Arts, University of Bologna, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
- 2University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy
- 3University of Bologna, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
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In this paper we introduce M-AGEW (Magic AuGmentEd Workout), an Augmented Reality (AR) application that assists users during outdoor, high-dynamic workouts such as jogging and calisthenics. It is a client-server-based system with a proprietary data structure (WKAN) that dynamically defines sequences of workouts as finite state machines. M-AGEW adapts workout intensity dynamically based on real-time sensor data and overlays contextual AR feedback and guidance, including biometric readings and a virtual coaching avatar. The technology was created through a user-centric design process, supported by an initial user study and industrial partnership. We validate M-AGEW through a technology acceptance evaluation with professional athletes, reporting promising results in usability, enjoyment, and perceived usefulness. Our findings suggest that AR headsets can effectively enhance and supplement outdoor physical activity, offering a motivating alternative to standard fitness monitoring.
Keywords: augmented reality, Outdoor Workouts, human-computer interaction, Adaptive training, Wearable interfaces, AR Fitness Systems
Received: 17 Apr 2025; Accepted: 21 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Armandi, Stacchio, Cascarano, Hajahmadi, Donatiello and Marfia. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Pasquale Cascarano, Department of Arts, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40123, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
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