Can an AI-powered Fitness App Replace a Human Trainer?
Fitness enthusiasts have long relied on personal trainers to keep them motivated and help them reach their fitness goals. But with the advent of AI-powered fitness apps, the role of the traditional personal trainer is being questioned.
One such app is FitnessAI, an iPhone-only app that produces personalized workout routines using machine learning algorithms. Users enter their personal information, including height, weight, gender, and available equipment, and the app generates a workout plan tailored to their needs.
While the app offers a slick interface, it has limitations that come with relying solely on technology. Unlike a human trainer, FitnessAI can’t understand and synthesize an individual’s specific needs or nuances, and it can take a few weeks for the app to start varying workouts in more unique ways as it collects data and recognizes patterns.
At $15 per month, the app might be considered pricey compared to other fitness apps on the market. However, it has the potential to lower the chance of injury by gradually easing users into new routines and logging their activity. It’s important to note that the app doesn’t recommend a different workout style unless users specifically indicate as such in the settings, which requires some background research on the user’s part.
FitnessAI has confirmed that it will integrate a chatbot into the app later this year using deep learning AI. It aims to shape user preferences, provide feedback on workouts, and answer questions on everything from nutrition to form.
While AI in the health and wellness space is still in its early days, companies are integrating more AI into their operations. A Google search of “Fitness AI apps” yields at least 20, including Fitbod, Freeletics, and AI Gym. With the global digital fitness industry expected to reach $26.5 billion by 2026, it’s clear that the AI-ification of fitness is already underway.
While apps like FitnessAI can help log workouts and show how to do exercises, they can’t replace the motivation and real-time feedback of a human trainer. This was evident when comparing FitnessAI to the app Future, which connects users with a personal trainer virtually. The Future app offers fully curated workouts with real-time feedback and adjustments from a personal trainer. Users can also discuss supplements, diet, and macro goals with their trainer.
At $199 per month, Future is much pricier than FitnessAI but still cheaper than most gym memberships. Personal training sessions at gyms can vary between $50 to $150 or more each, making a month of fully curated workouts via Future a good deal.
In conclusion, while AI-powered fitness apps have their place in the industry, they cannot replace the human touch of a personal trainer. Fitness enthusiasts will likely continue to seek out the motivation and real-time feedback that only a human trainer can provide. However, for those on a tighter budget who have gym experience and want to log their workouts, FitnessAI might be worth a try.
