The fitness industry is undergoing a technological revolution, with artificial intelligence (AI) at the forefront of innovation. From personalized nutrition plans to real-time motion tracking, AI is transforming the fitness experience for users and creating new opportunities for companies in the space.
In fact, the impact of AI on the fitness industry can be compared to the shift from Google to Bing. Just as Bing’s AI-powered search engine made Google’s basic search features seem a bit outdated, fitness apps that don’t use AI risk becoming irrelevant. Users always demand better experiences, more engaging workouts, better tracking, and more personalized nutrition plans. So the easiest way to give them what they want and stand out from the crowd is innovation. In this article, we’ll explore how AI is revolutionizing the fitness space and why companies that don’t embrace AI risk being left behind.
How AI is being used in fitness
Digital fitness is an umbrella term that refers to the use of technology to improve or monitor one’s physical fitness. This can encompass anything from using wearable devices to track steps taken or heart rate to more immersive experiences like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) workouts. And while many people still think of digital fitness as a fairly new phenomenon, it’s actually been around for quite some time — with early examples dating back to the 1970s (remember Jane Fonda?)
However, it’s only in recent years that digital fitness has started to really take off, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). AI plays an increasingly important role in digital fitness, helping to personalize and customize workouts, provide real-time feedback, and even create new types of experiences. Here are just a few ways AI is being used in fitness:
1. Ultra personalization: Almost all fitness apps have some kind of fitness level assessment quiz that pops up after the user signs up. This might have looked fascinating a few years ago, but is it now? Users are getting used to quizzes, personalized recommendations, and personalized nutrition plans. Just segmenting your users into those that want to lose weight, build muscle, or get a fitter body is not enough anymore. Using technology like AI motion tracking allows you to segment your users based on their actual progress, not just the boxes they check.
2. Real-Time Feedback: Another way AI is used in fitness is to provide real-time feedback during workouts. Computer-based AI actually sees how you move and draws a model of your body, and evaluates if you’re exercising accurately. This can be anything from telling you how many calories you’ve burned so far or offering encouragement and motivation to keep up with the pace; to actual corrective guidance that makes users feel like they’re training at the gym and actually achieving such results!
3. Gamified Fitness: AI is also being used to create immersive and engaging gamified fitness experiences for users. By using motion sensing technology and facial recognition, users can now play video games that reward them for physical activity, such as running or jumping jacks. This type of gamification increases motivation by providing an incentive to exercise rather than just focusing on the end result of a “fit body” or “better health.”
4. Smart Device Connectivity: Finally, AI is also being used to connect all kinds of smart devices. This includes things like fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, and even gym equipment. By connecting these devices, users can get a more comprehensive view of their fitness progress over time and be able to set goals for themselves or track their progress in real-time. Plus, this connectivity allows for easy analysis and data mining, which can help developers create new features and functions to improve the overall user experience.
Overall, there are just plenty of use cases for AI. These are just some that are already known to us. Imagine what the possibilities will be in a few years. Maybe we’ll even have the virtual Olympics in Meta? Well, that’s probably a bit too soon to talk about that, but we can surely dive a bit more into the future and what it could look like.
Future of AI powered fitness
The potential uses of AI in the fitness industry are virtually endless, and we’re only beginning to scratch the surface of what’s possible. One exciting development area is using virtual reality (VR) to create immersive workout experiences. With VR, users can feel like they’re running through a forest or climbing a mountain, even if they’re just on a treadmill or stationary bike. Another area of development is real-time feedback during workouts, which allows users to adjust their form and technique on the fly. , AI could even be used to predict potential injuries based on user data and provide preventative measures to avoid them. All of that information could be accessible to the users without even having to leave their homes. Cool, huh?
It’s crucial for fitness companies to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to AI because of the potential benefits for their customers and the competitive advantage it can provide. In an industry where users constantly seek out the latest and greatest in fitness technology, companies offering AI-powered features will be more likely to attract and retain customers. Moreover, as the use of AI in fitness becomes more widespread, companies that fail to adopt AI may struggle to keep up with their competitors and risk losing market share. Do you still remember the brand Nokia, that said touchscreens were not a thing? Neither do I.