Y Combinator-backed Smartspot, which is looking to re-imagine gym equipment and personal training, has raised $1.85 million from Khosla Ventures and Signalfire.

Smartspot’s setup involves a Kinect camera connected to a flat-panel screen, to monitor a person’s workout and weight-lifting and make sure all of his/her postures and angles are correct.

While technology can do some of the job, longer-term personal trainers could also be involved but without having to be physically there with a client, which would dramatically reduce the cost of personal training. A trainer would be able to review recorded videos from a Smartspot and give online feedback.

“This is the first time where personal training is not with a person standing next to you,” Moawia Eldeeb, Smartspot’s co-founder said.

Smartspot’s system has already been installed in 10 gyms, and right now the company is working on a personal trainer program. To that end, they’ll use some of the money raised to hire additional developers.

[Via: TechCrunch]