Unter Wenn sich AI-Coaching im Fitnessbereich wie zu viel Gerede und zu wenig Schweiß anfühlt
AI in Fitness: A Misstep Towards Digital Dominance?
We’ve all been caught in the friction between motivation and oncoming burnout at some point, mindlessly scrolling through yet another verbose, AI-crafted summary of our workout endeavours. Doesn’t it often seem like these AI-powered fitness tools, such as Runna, Peloton and Fitbit, tend to hide a simple “keep up the good work” inside a labyrinth of words and intricate metrics? The innovation brought about by these platforms promised to completely revamp our exercise routine. Yet, we seemed to have lost the touch of a human connection in the deluge of linguistic encouragement and excessive analysis.
Take my example, around a year back, I was at the pinnacle of my fitness levels. With a rigorous routine, I managed to shed 16 minutes off my four-mile run and a good 10 pounds off my weight, feeling exhilarated and inspired. However, then reality happened. Professional stresses, personal commitments, and the ubiquitous shadow of burnout crept in, making me go from working out every day to a complete workout hiatus in a span of weeks. The unused running shoes and the ascending scale numbers stood witness to the unfortunate reversal.
The Walled Garden of AI Jargon
Upon reopening the Runna app, after a while, a deluge of text welcomed me. This was the AI’s attempt to be supportive, laying out an analysis of my previous performance and a fresh plan. But the overload of information and the lack of empathy in the tone were unbearably off-putting. It felt like a well-intentioned yet techo-jargon filled encouragement from a robot who had sifted through thousands of motivational books but never really faced the ups and downs of an authentic fitness journey.
At its heart, the concept of fitness is straightforward: stay active, maintain a healthy diet, ensure adequate rest, and repeat. While AI-driven tools perform remarkably well in analyzing data trends and patterns, often, they overlook the unpredictability of real life, which is far from any perfect data model. Sometimes, all we need is a heartfelt reassurance that a brief lapse is okay and that we can always begin again.
Navigating Fitness in the Age of AI
AI embedded fitness tools, under the right conditions, can make a substantial impact. However, they should be an aid to our fitness journey, not monopolize it. If you’ve been feeling disconnected with your fitness app, remember you’re not alone. Perhaps it’s time to sideline the numbers, reconnect with your inner self, and truly discern what you need: less AI chatter, more intuitive movements, and a bit of benevolent understanding.
