Fitness enthusiasts stress that it’s not enough to rely on motivation alone when it comes to exercise and emphasize the importance of discipline. But even with the best intentions, completing a workout can be difficult, and many people end up seeking additional help from a professional. However, advances in technology and artificial intelligence have given gym goers access to personalized fitness plans at a fraction of the cost of hiring a personal trainer.
Newsweek collaborated with Jill Brown, a certified functional fitness and nutrition expert coach based in Los Angeles, to explore whether AI can replace personal trainers. We talk to Anna Maria Kalevik, 53, who experimented with fitness apps for 12 weeks, about the future of fitness. .
(Photo left) Anna Maria Kalevich, 53, shared the pros and cons of the Ai personal trainer app with Mr. Brown of Beverly Hills-based Jill Brown Fitness & Coaching. (Photo left) BrownAnna Maria Kalevich, 53, of Beverly Hills-based Jill Brown Fitness & Coaching, discussed the pros and cons of the Ai personal trainer app.
Karevich, a mother of three, told Newsweek that she hit a wall over the summer and grew tired of her regular gym routine. So she signed up for an AI-generated fitness app that offers a 12-week fitness plan for just over $13 a month. By comparison, personal trainer sessions typically range from $50 to $100 per hour, while Brown, who has 30 years of experience, charges $135 to $200.
Kalevik, who is from the UK, gave the app a positive review, shared her experience with TikTok in an unsponsored post, and encouraged others to give it a try. In a video shared by @annamariakalebic, she was particularly excited on her way home from the gym, describing the app as “amazing” and praising it for giving her the extra boost she needed. I am.
She concludes the clip by saying, “My gym routine has been revitalized.”
Kalebic’s AI experience
Kalevik uses a leg press and holds a weighted barbell. She aims to strength train at least three times a week. Kalevik uses a leg press and holds a weighted barbell. She aims to strength train at least three times a week. Anna Kalevich
“Now that I’m 53, it’s very important for me to stay healthy during menopause,” she told Newsweek magazine. “I’m a big strength trainer, but repetition can get boring, so I tried AI.
“At first we had a male trainer, but then we had him do pull-ups, so we switched to a female bot. It’s really clever, with a virtual person jumping around on the screen. In the video demonstration: I liked the variety of training offered.”
Kalevich, who has previously trained with both online and in-person coaches, praised the app for keeping things fresh, but said she missed the social interaction.
“AI can’t replace the accountability you get from a personal trainer,” she says, adding that a personal trainer can check your form to make sure you’re doing the exercises correctly.
Overall, Kalevik thinks AI apps are best suited for people who already know the ropes and want to make things interesting.
“I don’t want AI to replace humans because it keeps humans motivated,” she said. “I don’t think personal trainers need to worry about losing their jobs to AI. I think personal trainers will always be needed because some people don’t have the energy to work out alone. I need human interaction to get through it, and I feel great afterwards.”
AI is not a threat yet
Brown doing side plan dumbbell raises. She told Newsweek that AI is a bigger threat to young trainers in the industry. Brown doing side plan dumbbell raises. She told Newsweek that AI is a bigger threat to young trainers in the industry. eric lee martin
It certainly doesn’t seem like the fitness coach is going anywhere anytime soon. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of trainers and instructors in the United States will exceed 350,000 by 2023, and this number is expected to grow 14% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. It’s a much faster pace.
Brown is confident his job is not in jeopardy, but admits he has some concerns about the future.
“As AI continues to improve, people will have access to the best training programs available. This is why Lycra scares us,” she told Newsweek. “The cost benefits go without saying.”
A November 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that 52% of Americans are more concerned than excited about AI in their daily lives. Mr Brown said he was “somewhat” concerned about the potential impact on the coaching role.
She told Newsweek magazine: “Fitness should be accessible to everyone. That has always been a key goal of the industry. We want everyone to embrace fitness and exercise.”
“My sense is that the shiny toy syndrome of AI training will eventually fade because there are too many products on the market and people have too many choices. You will realize the importance of having a real person to motivate you and provide expert guidance.”
Fitness is more than just exercise
Brown, who has a wide range of knowledge, explained that her job involves more than just fitness. She also provides clients with a safe place to vent about life.
“You can’t tell an AI trainer about your breakup, work stress, what to wear to a party, politics, etc. This is also a big part of in-person training and nutrition coaching,” he said.
While using AI apps may be more affordable and convenient, Brown cautioned that they can also make it easier to slack off.
“Users have to pick up their device, log on, and start their workout. They might have to drive to the gym first. That’s the problem. “If someone shows up at your door and you decide to start training and you fall asleep, you’re still liable. I don’t think an AI trainer will solve that real-world responsibility,” she told Newsweek. told the magazine.
Brown, who has 30,000 followers on Instagram (@jillbrownfitness), believes young trainers face the biggest challenge.
“They’re marketing to a demographic that’s comfortable with all things technology. AI training is more affordable for Gen Z and Alpha, but you need to carve out a niche here as well. AI Development They probably aren’t targeting a niche market. That would make the subscription less profitable, but I could be wrong.”
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