Best Webcams for Fitness Classes (& Logitech Brio Review)

After the massive shift we’ve seen in the fitness industry from in-person to online, the need for a good setup of digital equipment has increased, even for individual Fitness Instructors. And one of the most important pieces of digital equipment is the web camera / webcam that you use. 

Personally, I’ve always been a fan of home workouts and have loved taking my fitness classes online. I agree, it isn’t quite the same experience as in-person classes but it comes with a host of benefits which can make fitting exercise in, a lot easier for many.

And do you know why you need a good web camera? Overall, along with music and lighting, it will create a quality experience for your clients. Sure, there are many built-in cameras included in your phone, TV, laptops, pads, and tablets, but nothing beats the quality of a good web camera that is solely designed to capture the images and the videos well.

I’ll be honest though, I made do with the built in camera on my laptop for a long time which I did my research to find out which were the best webcams for my fitness classes. My goal was to keep my setup as minimal as possible and to improve quality.

There was even a webcam that got sent back, even though so many people raved about it (I suspect it depends on the quality of the camera you already have to begin with, which determines if it’s an improvement or not) most likely because it’s pretty cheap.

On that note, let’s look at one of the best web cameras that I’ve come across (and is available on Amazon). It’s none other than Logitech Brio 4k webcam. 

Logitech Brio Review

First of all, it’s worth noting that there do seem to be two versions of the Logitech Brio webcam available – the Logitech Brio Stream and the Logitech Brio 4k . I’ve got the Logitech brio 4k version but the only real difference we could find, was the way they are marketed. One is marketed towards business users for conference calls etc and one is marketed towards gamers, for streaming online.

There always seems to be a price difference too of about £20, so whichever one you can find cheaper, just get that one.

As we’re coming to the point in time where in-person classes are returning, and everyone will soon transition back to working from their offices, I’m planning ahead for my online fitness offering. I’m keen to create an on-demand membership with a higher quality of videos, hence why I’ve chosen to get the Brio now.

The Brio was the webcam that came up in discussions the most in the Facebook group for fitness instructors looking to go online. It’s got a brilliant resolution that goes up to 4K, that goes hand in hand with HDR, which is why it captures the best pictures and videos.

First Impressions of the Logitech Brio 4k

The Logitech Brio comes with a decent length USB cable, a clamp to attach to a laptop and a clip on cover for the camera lens. It literally is a case of plug in and off you go. It works perfectly with a mac – I’m using it on an older ~2012 model and a 2018 model which needs the adaptor.

Although the Brio on-board mic does capture voice well, and naturally, it’s best to use an external mic and mixer to nail the sound for your online classes. I’ve got this mixer, which I can highly recommend. You can get some more info and tips for your Zoom set up here, and read more about my set-up too.

Logitech Brio Software

Initially I used the camera via Zoom by selecting it however there are two pieces of software you can download to enable more control over the settings of the webcam – Logitune and Logitech Capture.

Highly recommend you download Logitech Capture, where you can change things like field of view, add text overlay, flip the picture and more.

When I used the camera without the software, the picture quality was brilliant however I found the autofocus to be a bit slow on occasion – mostly when I was moving from my mat right up to the camera on the laptop.

See The Logitech Brio Webcam in Action:

Huge shout out to Jonathan for recording and sharing this video for the post. If you’re looking for tips on how to use the Logitech Brio then watch and listen.

Tips For Using Your Logitech Brio Webcam:

• download Logitech Capture for more controllability
• looking for a better way to mount your Logitech Brio? Get a flexible stand to mount your Brio
• general image quality is great, even in low light
• you can switch between cameras during sessions
• in Zoom, ensure you select Logitech Capture as your video source, rather than the Brio. This means all your setting
• select 720P or Full HD at 30fps for Zoom. Zoom can’t actually handle more than this so best to keep it at this
• record in Logitech Capture (at 60fps, or 4K) for higher quality videos for your on-demand

Alternative Webcams To Suit Your Budget

Anker C300 – if £200 is is a little outside your budget and you don’t need 4K then I’d highly recommend the new Anker C300. The 115 degree Field Of View and low lights performance is second to none. If you’re working with a small space too, it’s great for that.

Logitech C920S also offers good features and value for money. Dual mic and quality that extends up to 1080p should be good for live streaming fitness classes and recording.

Razer Kiyo is another excellent alternative. Though Razer Kiyo cannot handle 4K image quality, it offers 1080p at 30fps and 720p at 30fps, making it a decent option typically below £100.

Although the Logitech Brio webcam seems to be an expensive choice, it’s definitely a great investment for your business. And as it is a purchase for your business you can expense it when you do your tax return.

If you’ve found a webcam that works well for your online classes and on-demand recordings, then please do leave a comment below to let us know all about it!

Elle