The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is making technology more integrated into everyday life. And now, AI just might be on its way to replacing personal trainers at the gym.
Fitness AI, developed by APPEX, is one application seeking to provide fitness lovers of all kinds with a structured, personalized workout through AI. Still, personal trainers have more to offer those seeking to revamp their fitness world.
A 2022 Federal Institute for Sports Science study said that trainers cannot be replaced. Professor Dr. Alexander Asteroth, one of the study's authors, said that AI can be a tool for trainers, but real trainers bring something "to the table," and that's expertise.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only one in four adults in the United States meets the standard for physical activity guidelines. Apps like Fitness AI seek to help those looking for day-to-day plans to stay active.
Users who download the app are welcomed by an opening questionnaire with a selection of possible goals, which includes different items like improving fitness, burning fat, building muscle, weight loss, and more. After knowing these goals, the app secures info like exercise motivation, focus areas, fitness level, activity level, and body height and weight to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). The app also personalizes plans based on available equipment.
Head of Business Development at APPEX, Kerri Walsh, says the app is made to take any brain power out of crafting workouts.
“It takes the thinking out of the gym experience, and you know what you are doing because of the AI. And the way the product was built, it is giving you a program for you based on your tools and equipment available to you, and also based on past activity and capability,” she tells Healthnews.
Michael Coley is an independent trainer from San Antonio, Texas, who works with individuals from 10 years old to senior citizens over 75. He believes AI and fitness apps can be beneficial to those who are seeking a plan in the weight room.
I’m a big supporter of AI, I think it is something that is going to be integrated into our life more and more. I think as far as incorporating AI into fitness, it is good for someone who has their health in check, no previous injuries, and just trying to build some muscle – it can be helpful.
Coley
He stresses the importance of proper form for those spreading their wings in the gym. Through one-on-one training, he can monitor movements closely and check for forms. Incorrect form is one of the most common causes of gym-related injuries. Can AI physically be in the gym with folks, ensuring they won't injure or harm themselves? In some ways, yes, it can be.
“We have these avatars that show you what the bench press is, it shows you the right form for RDLs, it shows you exactly what you should be doing,” Walsh explains.
Fitness AI is only a strength program; it does not offer the structure for incorporating cardio into workouts — something that could come in the future. Personal trainers like Coley cannot only plan out cardio and strength plans, but he's also able to give dieting advice. The CDC says only one in 10 adults and children eat their required serving of vegetables daily.
Gold’s Gym lists tiredness, not having enough time, and watching the kids as the top three excuses for why people avoid the gym. As a personal trainer, Coley can help his clients effectively achieve their fitness goals.
“A big issue I run into with training and working one-on-one is fitting their workouts and meals into their schedule,” Coley says. “A lot of people have busy lives, have two or three kids, working two jobs, and a lot of time is hard for them to figure out when to workout and but also make their meals and stay on top of their diet.”
Another big benefit of a personal trainer is motivation. Coley believes working out in the weight room with a highly motivating partner is different optics compared to AI. However, Walsh says the APPEX team is working to improve its connection with the user.
“That is one thing we are starting to think about. How can we evolve the product to feel that same type of connection you would a person,” Walsh says. “We are working in the background at APPEX on a lot of different technologies leveraging AI, being personas, voice, and motivational language.”
Also, Walsh says Fitness AI will soon have a “body scan” feature to mimic a DEXA scan. DEXA (dual x-ray absorptiometry) scans measure that measure bone density. These scans also can provide information on fat tissue and lean muscle.
“A DEXA scan can be anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on where you live. This will be — we haven't quite launched it yet — but maybe around $25 one time,” Walsh says.
A big benefit of Fitness AI is its price tag, which ranges from $19.99 per month to $89.99 per year — which is cheaper than a personal trainer. Those seeking a personal trainer can expect a price from anywhere between $35 per hour on the low end to $150 on the high end, which often depends on location. Personal trainers in Los Angeles are more expensive than trainers in a smaller market.
For those who are unable to make the financial stretch for a personal trainer, Coley encourages apps to provide structure for progress. With over 97,000 fitness and health apps to choose from, fitness junkies won't be lacking any options for their daily pump. By 2032, it's predicted that the market will be worth 7.55 billion.
“People that can’t afford personal training, AI would offer some assistance,” Coley says. “If you can’t afford personal training, doing AI and having it assist you is better than nothing at all.”
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