I am Eric Chuang and I am the founder of Wonder Core and Wondercise. My father had been working in the fitness industry, therefore it was an easy decision for me to follow his steps after I completed the military service. I started off in research and development for the first 6 years, during which time I not only developed a profound interest in the fitness field, but I was also able to build a solid foundation in fitness equipment development and marketing. When IoT started to pick up in 2014, I decided to evolve the traditional settings of the field to stay on top of the trend, thus smart fitness was born.

What inspired you to launch your business and what is the end goal?

Technology is ever-changing which creates a lot of potential. I believe the possibilities for the fitness industry integrated with the latest technology are endless. Wondercise was founded 6 years ago based on my belief, as well as my expertise and love for the industry.

Asides from making Wondercise an industry leader, we want fitness to be universal, accessible, and affordable to all. Users should be able to just turn on a screen, turn on the application and workout in real-time with a professional trainer. On top of that, they should be able to track their motions and compare it with the on-screen trainer at all times. All the statistics derived from big data and AI analytics will give users all the information they need. Ultimately, we want to give what the users want, but most importantly, we also want to give them what they really need.

What’s the single most important decision that you made, that contributed to your business?

In 2015, I had a prediction that online workout videos and training content will be in demand in the future market. At the time, workout DVDs were a huge infomercial success. The idea of learning by doing made fitness really easy and because of this, I decided to create our own, exclusive fitness content and material. 

This was a pivotal decision. I wanted to create the Netflix of the fitness industry and for Wondercise to be the first and only in the world to integrate real-time motion matching technology with fitness courses. In order to provide the best user experience and content quality, we acquired the largest cyclorama studio in the States, Robot STUDIOS. The space and cutting-edge technology allow us to collect the athletes’ and trainers’ movement data, which allow for both analyses and filming to happen simultaneously.

Not only can our users stream the exclusive videos online, but with Wondercise’s high-quality content and high-tech work, the idea of live motion matching became possible. What I had envisioned for at-home workouts from 5 years ago started to take shape step by step.

How did you fund the launch of your business and what creative strategies did you use to execute a minimal cash flow?

I believe I did what most entrepreneurs would do at the beginning: by asking around friends and family so that enough capital was gathered. I was able to borrow NTD $2 million dollars (roughly around 60K USD at the time) and used it to develop my very first product, AB Dance. It was fairly well received and I took the gains and created a new brand, Wonder Core. The fitness equipment under this label achieved great numbers and it had a lot of positive feedback from the market. It was then that we were able to obtain the resources needed to start Wondercise.

How do you set yourself apart from other businesses in your industry?

There have been many big tech names coming up with new at-home fitness ideas and solutions but most were too pricey. There were also a lot of other limitations: time and space. To bring that into a typical family and living space is a challenge. I mean, what can we do about this? 

I saw a rising trend between the integration of software and hardware and I believe it was a sure sign that we had to take a different approach. In response to the rapid changes in the digital world, we integrated smart tech development with wearables, invested heavily in creating diverse training courses, and even developed our LIVE MOTION MATCHING technique. We were able to accurately tune and refine our motion matching technique without the need to spend money on expensive equipment or new setups, it was the perfect solution.

How did you conquer those moments of doubt that so often affect entrepreneurs or stop many with great ideas – what pushes you through?

It was hard to get the concept of Wondercise across at first. The times were very different back then and those around me could not comprehend my ideas and visions. I started with a team of fewer than 10 people and we were responsible for everything from development to marketing. I definitely faced a lot of challenges and downfalls, including the eventual disbanding of the team. Even so, I have always held on to my vision of smart fitness in the future. I searched endlessly for data, calculations, played out different scenarios, and I also thought about how to come up with new technology to stay on top of the game, being way ahead of anyone and everyone so that I will always be the first one there. I believe a good idea does not always come from a moment of spontaneity, but from getting repeatedly proven results.

What are your thoughts on failure?

I do not believe in failures, but that it is all about perspectives. Every time I come face to face with a problem, I see it as a stepping stone for growth. As long as you do not define them as failures, these challenges will pave the path to your success. Do not let a moment of weakness slow you down. It is only failure when you have decided to let this moment of weakness take over.

What’s the most important question entrepreneurs should be asking themselves?

The question changes at different stages for me, but the most primal question should be ‘what will be the next question that I need answers to?’ Entrepreneurs should always look for the next big questions, be prepared and be brave. For instance, during the early stages, I focused on finding ways to make sure my company survives and stays in the market. When things picked up, the question then shifted to finding the best route and approach for growth, and now, I am focused on how to recruit more talent and expand the team.

Where do you get your inspirations from?

I have knowledge in a vast range of different fields; from development, design to even writing infomercial scripts. In addition, my personal upbringing and background all helped to contribute to the source of my inspirations. I often enjoy studying and learning about other startup companies and the latest marketing trends. By broadening my horizons, I am able to execute my ideas more precisely.

What plans do you have for Wonder Core and Wondercise over the next two years?

We are currently exploring business opportunities and partnerships with other companies, and several talks are being carried out. I am also hoping for Wondercise to go public and make our products universal, reaching out to those with fitness needs and to provide people with better exercising experiences. 

In the more foreseeable future, we are focused on making the Wondercise application to be supported on different types of wearables so that users can utilize and benefit from our services whether at home or at the gym.

How do you believe the evolution of tech will affect your industry over the next 10 years?

We live in a digital-driven time and the integration of fitness equipment and technology is essential for survival, as well as to stay in the competition. We need data analyses and AI technology to come together and assist in making things more dimensional. For example, weight training can be achieved with better results by the aid of technology and displaying progress, and what adjustments should be done for better efficiency. The traditional brick-and-mortar gyms should also work on creating O2O business models, allowing members to take classes at home.

Over the next decade, when the idea of fitness is globalized, one should be able to obtain access to all types of training classes from across the world through exclusive applications and this will help bring exercising and sports to a whole new level. User experiences will become more dynamic and professional. Furthermore, this technology and the development of active sensors on wearables can be used in healthcare industries and other relevant fields. Individuals will be notified of any irregularities in their bodies as it happens, even when they think they feel fine. I want to be on the side of technology and pave a new path to a new world of fitness.

What are your top tips for entrepreneurs wanting to get their business out there?

My tip would be to focus on what you are good at and go from there. Use your craftsmanship and spirit to accomplish something at your maximum potential. You should also strive to become irreplaceable and only then, will you be able to stand out and own a place in the industry.

If you could be in a room with 4 entrepreneurs, who would they be and why?

First of all, I would definitely like to meet Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. I admire their courage to be different. I would also like to meet Jack Ma of Alibaba, his leadership in shaping corporate culture and the agility of an organization is remarkable. Lastly, Warren Buffett, for his investment values. These entrepreneurs all have had a tremendous impact on me.