It’s no secret that COVID-19 hit the fitness world hard. Gyms closed, personal trainers lost their jobs, and exercisers were left without access to their favorite classes and routines.
But there’s a giant silver lining here that needs to be noticed: more people are working out and focusing on their fitness now more than ever before.
In a recent study of 2,000 Americans, 72% said that they are finding it easier to maintain their fitness routines now that they are at home. Talk about a plot twist! So while the use of AI (artificial intelligence) has been rapidly increasing in the fitness industry over the last few years, the pandemic has only served to speed up its popularity.
What about the pandemic spurred this change? People are discovering the wealth of fitness apps and smart home gym equipment to workout from the comfort of their own homes.
Does this mean that AI training will soon make traditional personal training obsolete? Will gym memberships be a thing of the past?
Let’s talk about the differences between having a personal trainer and AI training as well as discuss predictions for the future of the fitness industry.
How does AI fit into Fitness?
Before we can define what artificial intelligence in fitness is, let’s first define what AI is. AI is a branch of computer science that’s concerned with building smart machines that are capable of performing tasks that historically have been performed only by using human intelligence.
Essentially, AI is a computer-based software that replaces the need for human intervention. At its most basic level, A.I. is a highly advanced algorithm.
When it comes to AI in fitness, the phenomenon isn’t new, however, it has steadily gained popularity and has infiltrated many different sectors of our daily lives — fitness among them.
AI in fitness is based on data collection that can then tell you hard you’re working, what workouts to perform, provide you with form correction, count your reps, and more. AI takes all the guesswork out of fitness and training.
By eliminating the need for humans to think too much, more are willing to stick with and adhere to a fitness regime because it’s all laid out for us.
There’s no more guessing what workout to perform each day or if you’re performing a movement correctly. A.I. uses your personal data to customize a plan for you that allows for safe, effective workouts that include plenty of recovery and movement towards your unique goals. It helps you to work smarter, harder, and more efficiently, which leads to the results you desire.
Why Choose AI Training Over Personal Training?
If you want to get in the best shape of your life and train most efficiently, AI may be the best way to do that. . The benefits are enormous.
Top reasons to choose smart fitness technology over hiring a personal trainer
Let's take a look at the main reasons why you may want to consider ditching your personal trainer and going with technology-backed fitness.
#1: You can get in shape from the comfort of your own home
While the days of going to a fitness class or the gym may be gone for now, even in more normal times, they presented challenges. Whether it was money, lack of motivation or confidence, or the commute, working out somewhere other than your home comes with its own innate challenges. I have personally been working out from home for 5+ years and I have no desire to head back to a gym. There’s no need! Thanks to smart home gym equipment and dedicated fitness apps, we can feel confident in our fitness routines and adhere to them on our own schedules.
No more working your schedule around that midday spin class you want to attend or rushing to hit the gym before it closes — you get to workout when you want and in your own home..
#2: You can feel more confident in your training
Have you ever wanted to get into strength training but let your fear of looking like an amateur stop you from ever heading to the weights section at the gym? Me too. In fact, in that same study that I mentioned earlier, of the 2,000 participants, 65% of men and 55% of women admitted to feeling intimidated when working out at the gym.
With fitness equipment and programming like the Tempo Studio home gym that uses artificial intelligence to program your workouts, count your reps, and correct your form, you can start as an absolute beginner and build up your confidence as you train.
There’s no second-guessing if you’re performing movements correctly or if you’re doing too much/too little. You don’t even have to try to figure out what body parts to work each day and in what progression, it’s all laid out for you.
#3: You’ll save money
The average cost to hire a personal trainer ranges anywhere from $50 to $500 per hour. Multiply that by the number of days per week that you’d ideally like to workout and you’re looking at an expense that’s more than your mortgage per month.
So while hiring a personal trainer may be beneficial, it’s important to know that you can get the same level (even more so!) of customization and personalized attention that you’d get from hiring a trainer for a lot less by investing in a smart home gym or fitness app.
#4: Your workouts will be more customized
Yes, a good personal trainer will create unique programming for you based on your goals, abilities, and workout preferences, but they don’t always have access to other important data that can prove to be crucial in your success.
Many smart home gyms today have sensors on them that track your movement, giving it the unique ability to provide you with real-time feedback that’s highly personalized and specific to the way you’re moving your body.
Additionally, wearable devices like smartwatches and trackers are providing invaluable information regarding your body. AI is making smart devices even smarter by doing more than just collecting data, they’re now able to detect things like irregular heartbeats that can be warning signs of a stroke or diabetes.
Should You Hire A Personal Trainer From Home?
If you're not in the market for a smart home gym, and you still want to get on a personal level with your fitness coach, then hiring a personal trainer may be the perfect solution for you.
One of the best personal training apps is Future Fitness (read about the app here), as it allows you to work with a personal fitness coach from anywhere you want. It's simple, effective and helps you not have to go to the gym.
The Bottom Line: Is AI replacing the need for human trainers?
In many ways, an AI-driven fitness program can be better than a human trainer. AI allows for access to more data, more exercises, more personalization, and better progression tracking. It’s also significantly cheaper.
However, that’s not to say that it’s the right fit for everyone. Some people are more motivated by physically being present and held accountable by another human. Additionally, the communication piece is crucial for some people who crave human interaction and connection.
Ultimately, the top goal is to get results. And the fact that more people than ever are sticking to their fitness routines now that they are at home tells us that AI-powered fitness is most certainly the wave of the future and one that’s going to radically change the industry as we know it.
My Recommendation
If you’re looking to get the best of both worlds: personal training and AI technology, then the Tempo Studio is where you’ll find it. This is a first-of-its-kind home gym system that features Olympic grade weights and instant form feedback from certified coaches that are there to help you reach your fitness goals.
Tempo uses AI-powered 3D sensors to track your motion, count your reps, and even recommend weights, which allows for a safer, more effective workout for everyone from beginners to advanced athletes.
Exceptional Experience
One of the best things about the Tempo studio and its programming is that it’s not just weights or just cardio-based training like many other options on the market. Tempo combines a variety of cross-training workouts to give you a well-rounded training experience that’s guaranteed to help you push to new limits and reach your goals.
Extensive Library of Workouts
You can choose from hundreds of live and on-demand classes, choosing between strength, cardio, mobility, HIIT, and recovery. You can work every muscle in your body and do so with confidence knowing that the technology that’s built into the system is working hard to help you progress safely and efficiently.
Giant HD Screen That Fits Into Your Home Seamlessly
When you think of a home gym, your first thought is likely where you’re going to have the space to put it. When it comes to Tempo, this sleek, beautiful piece of equipment is designed to fit seamlessly into any room of your home.
Equipped with a large 42-inch touchscreen and self-storage for the included equipment, Tempo really only takes about as much space as a chair.
Experience the Future of Fitness
By now, you’re no doubt convinced that A.I. is transforming the fitness industry as we once knew it. If you want to experience this groundbreaking technology and achieve your goals faster, more comfortably, and for a lot less money over time, then the Tempo Studio is a great place to start.