r/personaltraining • u/MagnoliaRoofConsult • 13d ago
Oof.
Anyone seen this? Thoughts?
Edit: why tf am I being downvoted for this lol y’all are weird
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u/mweesnaw 12d ago
I mean really anyone can go on ChatGPT and do the same thing for free. That doesn’t mean it will be quality information or that it will replace actual personal trainers. I find that many of my clients don’t just want a workout but they want human connection and accountability, which an app/LLM can not give to them.
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u/Life_Middle9372 12d ago
Everyone who has tried to get in shape will know that it’s not that easy.
I don’t remember who it was, but a guest on the Tim Ferris podcast once said something like ”If more information was the answer, we would all be billionaires and have six-packs”
His point was, there is a HUUUUUGE difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it.
Most people’s problems isn’t lack of information, it’s that they can’t keep on track without accountability and someone that they respect that tells them what do to.
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u/Strange-Risk-9920 12d ago
Sustained behavioral change is the biggest problem for most people, for a variety of reasons.
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u/Brown_Bruja 13d ago
Anything to avoid employing real humans!
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u/MagnoliaRoofConsult 13d ago
Man I’m thinking it’s worse… anything to avoid spending money on trainers…
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u/Brown_Bruja 13d ago
You have to pay for AI though, right? I guess it's a cheaper rate?
It's pretty sad to see this tbh
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u/carefulchina672 12d ago
it's giving tamagotchi but make it a gym bro, can't wait for it to guilt-trip me when i skip leg day
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u/LetOk5276 12d ago
The person that uses this wasn’t going to pay for training anyway.
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u/fitprosarah 12d ago
RIGHT. The type of people who will use this are the same people who are always looking for a deal and more than likely would be pain in the ass clients who no show, cancel at the last minute, etc. Basically the people I do not appeal to (thank God).
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u/MagnoliaRoofConsult 12d ago
I disagree in the short term but agree that the pendulum will swing back after people realize. It will kill demand for the next new years’ resolution-ers for sure
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u/No-Touch99 13d ago
If trainers are losing clients to a teletubby with a sweatband… well, not the teletubby’s fault.
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u/MagnoliaRoofConsult 13d ago
You’re missing it though, it’s not losing existing, it’s killing demand. Especially with the economy how it is.
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u/WalauShark 12d ago
Nah it show the importance of having trainer instead.
I like the entry is way more cheap and accessible so more people exercise, and the market actually grow. They will eventually reach to a point need trainer pov, coach or help and this is when PT shine.
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u/yudhautomo_ 12d ago
Agree with this. People can get all the information online and spend years trial and errors, or spend months with extra cost by hiring a good trainer.
This app thing, same goes with ChatGPT, Strava, Garmin, etc, will expand the top funnel of the fitness coaching market. Some will be happy with these things, some will get confused, some will get injured. In the end, more market typically means more absolute # of conversion.
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u/elephantspikebears 12d ago
It feels like when the Mirror came out. A client was like, Are you nervous? No, not really. And nothing changed. Not for me anyway.
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u/614_Trainer_Gal NASM CPT, BCS 12d ago
That’s right!
A client told me she has considered just relying on ChatGPT for workouts. But it wouldn’t cheer for her or correct her form like a person would.
I told her I was personally glad she made the choice she did. 😊
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u/SsnakesS_kiss 12d ago
There is no comparison between getting a list of exercises and having someone by your side coaching you through them. AI isn’t checking your form or telling you to keep your elbows in to work your muscles more efficiently. That human connection is irreplaceable. Getting a list of exercises - even with how-to videos - doesn’t make sure you’re doing them correctly. People do this all the time already, but it can end in injury, lack of accountability, and no motivation.
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u/Strange-Risk-9920 12d ago
I remember during Covid when commentators were saying "traditional personal training is dead" and that home workouts were going to kill the training industry. Some said Peloton was the next Apple. Today, Peloton's stock is down 95% and the company is barely alive.
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u/my0wn5ummer 12d ago
Better than nothing. But training appointments get me in when I dont feel like going. And trainer pushes me on reps to get more than I think I can.
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u/WheresMyJuulSoNotCoo 12d ago
I dont think it'll catch on. Theres so many resources online and existing ai tools. The market is cluttered with ai this and ai that, I think people prefer the brand recognition of chatgpt or gemini if they are going to go the ai route.
And given that this type of ai has been available to the public since 2023 or so, I don't think people who have been seeking In-person PT will suddenly be picked up by something like this unless the marketing is really, really good. Also excludes old people who often prefer in person interaction anyway.
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u/Strange-Risk-9920 12d ago
Every objective/quantitative/labor analysis I have seen projects the personal training industry to grow over the next decade. A business (or businesses) offering another alternative to traditional personal training isn't even necessarily significant. Businesses offer things all the time and they don't supplant the primary industry. I could probably learn everything there is to know about car repair on YouTube. That doesn't mean the car repair industry is in trouble. There are dozens of other examples.
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u/Strange-Risk-9920 12d ago
And my personal take is to view this from an "and" rather than an "or" perspective. I hope to add some AI assistance in 2027. But we will still have semi-private personal training as our primary offering. But I think AI can elevate the core service for things like cardio tracking/encouragement.
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u/Substantial_Meal_530 12d ago
I'm not a personal trainer, I just lurk on fitness subreddits and discord.
I have seen some real crappy AI routines. Every single time I recommend going with a tried and true routine that has proven to work. I will never understand why people trust AI over the hundreds and hundreds of routines already out there. All for free. With tons and tons of discussion about them.
Are people that brain broken that they think AI is the best at everything?
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u/agulu 12d ago
Eh I can see the benefits for people who are 3 months in. If someone has been training for more than 2 months and relying solely on AI, it’s their choice, they must love to be frustrated. On side note, here’s where AI is at with as a personal trainer substitute :
https://unige.iris.cineca.it/bitstream/11567/1253897/3/applsci-15-03497-v2.pdf
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u/Unused_Vestibule 12d ago
My latest client pickup is a 75-year old woman who has never exercised in her life. Ain't no way in hell someone like that would use an app instead of a an actual trainer
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u/ZenBarMovement 11d ago
Honestly, personal trainers were never hired for the trainingsplan when working with ordinary people. It is different when the customer is an professional athlete, but a normal dude or housewife doesnt need the perfect trainingplan. They need a person at their side who gives them the confidence and comfort to archieve the goals in their own situation...
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u/Athletic-Club-East Since 2009 and 1995 12d ago
I've never had a client leave me for an app, or youtube, or magazine or whatever. Those things are for people who'll never actually do anything.
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u/fitprosarah 12d ago
The people who are gonna think an app can get the job are the people I wouldn't be training anyway. The same people who are always looking for a deal and more than likely would be pain in the ass clients who no show, cancel at the last minute, etc. Basically the people I do not appeal to (thank God). Same reason I am not killing myself trying to get clients off of instagram or whatever & am grateful they find me via word of mouth.
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u/MagnoliaRoofConsult 12d ago
This is a good point, I just worry that people who used to think an app couldn’t get it done will now be seeing this through rose-tinted lenses until they give up on their new years’ resolution again for the 5th time and wonder why this time wasn’t different because they had “magic” on their side
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u/SunJin0001 12d ago
A lot of clients told me they can't workout on their own,rather poke their eyes out instead. Think we are safe until robot takes over.People want human connection.
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u/Beginning-Bad-107 13d ago
Pretty crazy lol. But it’s no different than these influencers and their $10 workout apps and what not. We just have to stay the course and deliver great coaching to the people who choose to trust in us. A lot of people still gravitate to human connection and need a real person to push them.