The AI Revolution in Fitness

AI has already transformed industries from healthcare to entertainment, but did you know it’s also revolutionizing the way we approach fitness?

Ever since its mass release to the public, artificial intelligence has taken the world by storm and deeply affected how we interact with several aspects of our lives, and fitness is no exception.

Nowadays, one can find personalized workout plans powered by machine learning, diets catered to specific needs through recommendation systems, and real-time feedback on form for exercises like the deadlift, squat, and bench press utilizing advanced computer vision — all accessible with a simple touch on a screen and intuitively delivered by a large language model.

In this article, we’ll investigate the way AI has been reshaping how humans interact and think about fitness. We’ll take a closer look into the recent trends that are already making their way into local gyms and what we can expect from the future when it comes to AI-powered fitness apps.

How AI is Transforming Fitness Today

AI has seen several different types of applications in the fitness industry. As a matter of fact, ever since Chat GPT fell into the grace of the average user, people started to wonder how effectively it can be used to create fitness plans. Here are some of the main ways AI has been operating in the fitness app industry:

1. Personalized Fitness with Machine Learning

Long gone are the days of manually logging and guesswork when it comes to working out. With machine learning algorithms, today’s AI-powered apps make tracking progress seamless and efficient, and with all that data, they are able to recognize patterns, and make predictions based on them — essentially creating personalized fitness plans catered to a user’s specific workout needs on the fly.

Some AI planners can even create modified fitness plans catered to people who are recovering from injuries. They make sure the user is exercising the right muscles and avoid movements that could make things worse.

Here’s a brief overview of how machine learning algorithms work :

Data Collection
The app collects input data from the user:

• Personal details (age, weight, height, gender etc);
• Fitness goals like weight loss, improved endurance, or even a new PR on the deadlift;
• Activity data such as workout history;
• Biometric data if available.

Data Processing
Here, the algorithm makes sure the data is consistent and disregards any outliers or entries that look incomplete.

So after gathering all the data it needs, the next step is to compare the user’s data with said datasets. Then, through advanced levels of pattern recognition, it creates a new tailored fitness plan based on the user’s current fitness level and what goals they want to achieve.

The most interesting part about it is that machine learning algorithms are constantly evolving using real-time feedback loops. Meaning that as the user progresses, it will instantly update the plan.

So whether you’re a beginner learning how to squat or a seasoned lifter perfecting your bench press, AI tools can provide a precise roadmap to achieve your goals.

1. AI-Powered Form Feedback: The Role of Computer Vision

One of the most exciting developments in the AI field is computer vision, or the capability of machines to interpret visual data (i.e. videos and images) to extract information. You have probably seen it applied in recent new technologies such as the Apple Vision Pro or the new smart glasses showcased by Meta in a partnership with Ray-Ban.

Much like machine learning, computer vision takes the visual input it is given, compares it to an immense database of pre-existing videos and images, and makes conclusions based on pattern recognition. It is a very specific form of machine learning.

But how can computer vision be applied to fitness?

To answer that question we can take a look at what Flex AI is doing. The company has already been using machine learning to create workout routines for its app users and now has an AI form feedback feature that is currently in beta.

This feature is capable of analyzing the execution of exercises such as the deadlift, bench press, and squats and provides tips on how to improve the user’s form. This has the potential to maximize the user’s strength gain and reduce the risk of injury. Another exciting idea is the
possibility of this feature giving real-time tips during the execution. For example, if during a set the app notices a decline in form, it can suggest a weight reduction or bigger rest times between sets.

Flex AI’s form feedback is still in development, but it holds great promise for innovating the way people approach strength training, especially for those who work out at home and consequently do not have a personal trainer with them all the time to give them tips.

Exciting right? But while these advancements are already changing the way we approach fitness, the horizon promises even more revolutionary developments.

What’s Next for AI and Fitness?

As you can see, both machine learning and computer vision have already done wonders to take fitness training into the future with what’s essentially a personal trainer in your smartphone. But it does not stop there. At the rate AI is evolving we can expect much more from the technology in the near future.

Recent articles suggest interesting new developments in AI fitness training such as immersive environments with biofeedback integration. Imagine working out from home in a virtual world where you cannot only interact with others but be rewarded for reaching your fitness goals. Or perhaps workout music playlists that adapt to the type and intensity of the exercise, increasing the BPMs when it’s time to lift heavy or playing a chill tune during rest times.

And it’s not only about fun, it is also possible that AI can help us shift from a reactive to a predictive approach to health. Nowadays fitness gadgets and apps are constantly gathering data about people’s bodies, lifestyles, and general health. All that data can be used for predicting the development of certain conditions and help people prevent them from ever happening.

What we’re seeing here is more than just flashy graphics, AI can help create a more personalized and enjoyable experience which incentivizes users to develop a more healthy and lasting relationship with moving their bodies which is what fitness is all about.

Finding Harmony Between AI and Community in Fitness

While AI has been making great progress in the world of fitness, it’s impossible not to acknowledge the fear many feel when talking about integrating AI into their fitness routines: the diminished sense of community that technology might inadvertently cultivate.

That makes total sense, fitness has always been a communal experience, with communities like gyms, sports teams, and run groups being important social hubs for people not only to reach their goals but also to socialize and make new friends.

However, AI doesn’t need to be an impediment to human interaction. Much on the contrary, the key lies in harnessing AI to enhance community connections rather than detract from them. It should not be about one or the other but rather finding that sweet spot where AI technology and human interaction can work together to create a more holistic and fulfilling fitness experience.

The Future of Fitness: AI’s Impact and Promise

Every day it gets clearer that AI in fitness is here to stay. As this type of technology becomes more accessible, we can expect personalized workout routines and real-time advice from “robots” to become the norm.

Although there’s a need to balance it with real human interaction, the ultimate goal for AI in fitness is to cultivate a more personal, dynamic, and sustainable relationship with fitness, encouraging a lifelong commitment to health and well-being.

Finally, what’s even more exciting is the fact that this technology seems to be in its early stages. It’s hard to predict what the future holds for AI since it evolves so quickly. But we can be assured that it will be nothing short of groundbreaking.