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Forget Going to the Gym, Now You Can Strength Train at Home With This New AI-Powered Device
These 11 Brands Are Donating Proceeds to California Wildfire Relief Efforts If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Let's be honest with each other: going to the gym is a lot of work. There's the travel time (and if you live somewhere like NYC, there's the added task of schlepping your heavy fitness bag from avenue to avenue), expensive membership fees, and the possibility of your favorite machine being hogged by some wannabe bodybuilder. Overall, it just isn't a fun time. And we get it; your options are limited. Sure, there are virtual classes you can take online, stationary bikes you can buy, and even all-in-one smart machines that promise a full-body workout. But, more often than not, we find that with virtual classes comes a lack of motivation, with stationary bikes comes a need for more space, and with all-in-one smart machines, focusing on a targeted area can seem like an impossible challenge. So, just what are you supposed to do? That's where amp comes in. Launching in early 2025, amp is a smart, AI-powered exercise device that allows you to work out every muscle group in your body through hundreds of possible rotations. Sleek, easy to navigate, and designed to bolt into your wall with the use of screws and brackets (although the brand does recommend you have at least 6 x 7 feet of floor space for ample movement), it's the strength training device of the future. Through the use of a small dial, amp allows you to control the power of every movement. With a maximum weight capacity of 100 pounds and a minimum of 5 pounds, you can choose between different resistance modes (Fixed, Band, and Eccentric) and alter the intensity of each workout. Sound simple enough? One of this device's biggest standouts is the connected digital app that gives you access to your own personal trainer (they have an extensive movement library, with the likes of Terry Crews, Rachel Joy, and Larry Wheels leading the way), allows you to track your progress, and helps you develop a plan to reach your goals. Amp's AI capabilities can also sense when you need a little R&R (and will drop the weight strength accordingly) and determine when you need to be challenged (and will jack up the weight strength accordingly). This helps create a custom workout experience that is tailored specifically to you. Besides amp's specific capabilities, there are also numerous benefits to adding strength training to your daily routine. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Strength training may enhance your quality of life and improve your ability to do activities. Strength training can also protect your joints from injury and help build muscle to better your balance." Right now, you can reserve amp for only $99.00, and this will confirm your spot in the pre-order queue. Once it's officially released in early 2025, your remaining balance for this powerful device will be less than $2,000 -- it's basically a steal. With your purchase, you not only get the Ankle Straps, Dual Handle, Single Handle, Rope, and T-Bar, but you also get unlimited access to world-class workouts curated by top trainers, goal tracking, and innovative AI technology that will adjust the intensity of your workouts based on your performance. Plus, for $23 per month, you get the amp app (that comes with five seats to train and compete with your entire household), which tracks, logs, and remembers everything -- it's like having a personal trainer in your pocket that never takes the day off. Oh yeah, and then there's the free cost of delivery, white glove installation services, and a 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren't satisfied with your order. Since the average American spends $5,321 on wellness per year, according to Global Wellness Institute's 2024 Report, that's one hell of a deal. From its thoughtful, compact design to its total-body experience, here are a few of our favorite parts about amp. You know it, I know it, we all know it -- at-home exercise equipment is an over-saturated market. There are hundreds of devices out there, all claiming to be the best, so how do you decide which ones are actually worth the investment? Well, we're here to say that amp is deserving of every penny. Not only is this compact device one of the smoothest and most stylish options out there, but through the use of smart insights, it gives you a fully customized workout and continuously adapts to your needs. Amp is a one-of-a-kind experience that combines the best aspects of your normal gym routine (upper body, core, and lower body workouts) with state-of-the-art technology and premium engineering. It lets you connect to a community, compete with your friends, and ultimately work towards and achieve your goals.
Rolling Stone
Wed, 15 Jan, 8:12 PM UTC
How AI Is Reshaping Home Workouts in India, Portl CEO Explains
For most of human history, working out has been a community activity, either outdoors or in designated spaces such as gyms and sports centres. However, with the rise of the Internet and other connected technologies, businesses have figured out ways to turn it into an "at-home" experience. This has its advantages as well. For instance, the average office-goer who spends a good chunk of his weekdays commuting and at work might find exercising at home more convenient than going to the gym after a long day. Another group of people who benefit from this are the elderly who might not enjoy travelling for exercise due to mobility issues. This is what led to the arrival of various home workout programmes, video tutorials, and online classes. While it did address the problem of accessibility to some extent, one area that was still largely unaddressed was personalisation. But not for long. The artificial intelligence (AI) discipline might thank the wave of generative AI that started in late 2022 for mainstream attention, but its impact on the lives of people was felt much before that. From smartphones to search engines and from Microsoft's Clippy to Amazon's website, AI technologies such as predictive analysis, rule-based AI, and machine learning (ML) have always been part of popular software. AI also made its way to the home workout space slowly. Products such as Fitbit and Apple Watch with health and fitness sensors gave people insightful data about their daily activity level. These devices also allowed users to make adjustments to get more out of their workouts opening the path for personalisation. While the pieces were being put together, the home workout space was missing one key ingredient -- expert advice on type of workouts, posture, and an option to build a personalised routine. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the majority of the population was stuck indoors for months, businesses cracked the code. Carol Bike 2.0, OxeFit's XP1, and Vitruvian Trainer+ were some of the home gym equipment that sought to bring AI personalisation to people. But they were largely catering to the Western countries and India was missing out. Sensing an opportunity to address this gap, Portl, a Hyderabad-based startup entered the space with its smart mirror-based AI home workout system dubbed Portl Studio. Gadgets 360 spoke with Indraneel Gupta, Founder and CEO of Portl to understand the tech behind Portl Studio and how the startup is leveraging AI to offer users a personalised experience. Founded in 2021, Portl aimed to solve the same personalisation problem for those who prefer working out at home. Gupta said, "One common issue that persists even today is that gyms and fitness centres tend to follow a very cookie-cutter approach to fitness that doesn't apply to everyone." The company focused on the demographics of people aged 35 and above and found that fitness was as much a convenience issue as it was an engagement issue for them. Their solution? A device with a large smart mirror that can be spotted from a distance -- which also doubles up as a display that shows personalised workout routines and follow-along guides to help them get the right motivation. But, how does it all work together? Portl Studio is a 32kg device with dimensions of 5.8 x 2 x 0.1 feet. It is a fairly large and heavy device that requires experts to properly install it to either a free wall inside a house or on a stand. While this would make it a piece of unfeasible equipment for some, it would also be an ideal setup for those whose main struggle is to get out of the house and go to the gym after a long day. For those people, the device tries to fit in all the requirements that could eliminate the need for a social space. The Portl Studio's mirror features several sensors that track the user's posture in real-time. It also comes equipped with biosensors, similar to a smartwatch or a fitness band, that can scan health vitals. The device also implements several cameras to properly assess all of these parameters. There are two components that enable the data processing as well as allow the user to interact with the system. The first is the system-on-chip. For that, Portl uses Snapdragon chipsets to power the device. It handles all the computational power that the device would need. The second part is the touch screen, which is a multi-point touch display. The company said that the display is coated with a nano protection layer that adds durability and protects against breakages and damage. The device also connects with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to let the user either connect their earphones or stream their playlist from Spotify. "So the idea has always been, how do we create a scenario where the program constantly adapts to the user's minimum level of performance? We designed a system that looks at variable data, the sleep routine, recovery rate, and more. All of these factors go into the next workout routine that they follow," Gupta explained. Portl's solution was an intelligent machine that prioritises real-time data to process what the user needs in terms of workout intensity. Interestingly, this heavy lifting was done by the company's AI processes. Gupta explained that the entire data collection and AI processing occurs on-device and none of the personal user data ever leaves the system. To handle such complex tasks in real-time, the company included several AI-based processes. Notably, no generative AI tools were used for the system. Instead, the company uses classical rule-based algorithms to both analyse and predict user behaviour. Gupta explained that the decision to opt for a rule-based algorithm instead of something more dynamic was because fitness science, kinesiology, and body mechanics are not constantly changing and are well-defined. However, just like generative AI models, these AI systems are grounded at a first principles level to ensure that the system can gauge a base level of user performance. On top of that, the information provided by the user creates an extra layer of personalisation. To explain how it works, Gupta gave an example, "During the onboarding, a user tells the system about their current lifestyle, injuries, health conditions, and more. All of these factors determine the kind of exercises and movements that will be used to create the workout plan. Then, once a user starts the plan, a 45-second health scan measures the core vitals of the user. This includes metrics such as blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac stress, etc." As per the Portl CEO, the scan then creates a baseline for the individual. Further, the cameras also collect data on the user's functional movement screen, which includes balance, range of motion, and mobility. All of the data is used to understand the user's starting point. From there, the user gets a workout plan that both pushes them and notes their limitations. The Portl Studio offers 15 different workout formats, with calisthenics as its core principle. This means this device does not support weight-based workouts and only focuses on cardio and bodyweight exercises. It also comes with various yoga and meditation courses. Additionally, there are skill-based exercises such as Muay Thai and Kickboxing. At present, all 15 workout formats and guiding videos from experts are part of the device's native offerings. This means the user does not need to pay subscription or add-on fees to access any of the content. As a result of all these offerings, the company claims it has more than 1,000 monthly active users despite a steep price of Rs. 1,25,000. While Portl Studio offers a lot in terms of personalisation, ease of access, and choice of workout, the lack of strength-based workouts does create a significant gap. Gupta realises this, and that's why the company recently launched a product that caters to this segment -- the Ultragym. Ultragym is a smart fitness device that takes up 2.4 sqft of space and weighs 12kgs. It features a board, cables, accessories, and a bench. The company claims that users can perform 150 different workouts using this device. The cables do not use weight plates and instead use a motor to increase the resistance. Each cable can be pushed to a maximum of 35kgs for a total of 70kgs of weight for a workout that requires both hands. The device also comes with a companion app that monitors and analyses workouts and creates personalised routines for users. Portl's Ultragym is priced at Rs. 59,990. On ensuring safety while users performed workouts with heavy weights, Gupta explained that the device has inbuilt safety features. If a user struggles with the weight or loses balance, the sensors can automatically reduce the weight to allow them to get out of that position safely. Smart home workout technology has come a long way. However, there are still several gaps to be filled. First, personalised routines and fitness tracking have enabled users to make progress without leaving the comforts of home, however, existing devices are not portable enough to be carried everywhere. People who travel frequently will not find such gadgets very useful. Second, these technologies are focused on basic fitness and do not have solutions for those who have competitive and advanced fitness goals. Further, most of these technologies do not emphasise the motivation element enough, which is a key factor in whether or not a user exercises consistently. As companies experiment with innovation, these gaps are likely to be filled in the coming years. Till then, whether working out can become an at-home experience or if a social institution such as a gym or fitness centre is necessary, debate is up the air.
NDTV Gadgets 360
Mon, 3 Feb, 12:32 PM UTC
MyFitnessPal Integrates AI for Personalized Meal Planning Following Startup Acquisition
MyFitnessPal, the popular food-tracking app, has acquired AI startup Intent and plans to launch AI-powered personalized meal planning features in its new Premium Plus subscription tier.
5 Sources
Thu, 13 Feb, 12:09 AM UTC
I'm a personal trainer -- ChatGPT built me a 15-minute mobility routine for looser hips, and I'm surprised by the results
As a trainer who has been watching ChatGPT and AI become more and more prominent within the fitness industry, I wanted to put it to the test. It's not the first time -- I asked Chat GPT to build a 4-week workout program a while back, and I had mixed emotions about the results. More than two years later, and even further down the line of AI development, I decided to put it to the test again. This time, I asked for a 15-minute hip mobility routine that I could do from home using just one of the best yoga mats as equipment. I explained that I consider myself toward the advanced end of the mobility scale, and let it do its thing. Spoiler alert, it didn't reinvent the wheel or astound me in any way. I believe personal trainers still have the edge with creative flair and personal approach, but given that I fed the bot basic commands, I was pleasantly surprised by the routine. Here's what ChatGPT designed, my verdict and how you can try the routine yourself. I'm quite old school with my training beliefs, so I won't pretend I didn't want ChatGPT to fail -- just a little. I believe there will always be the personal element of a "personal" trainer that AI won't be able to replicate. Factors like spotting, injury management and on-the-spot adaptations require a human touch. However, I know I need to embrace technology because, yes, it can be helpful for those who might not have access to personal trainers or need a little extra support or inspiration. And ChatGPT didn't fail me with this hip mobility routine. It's basic, but so were my commands: "Please put together a 15-minute hip mobility routine I can do using a yoga mat at home for a female with no current injuries who weightlifts." ChatGPT said: "Here's a 15-minute hip mobility routine designed for a female weightlifter. It will target hip flexibility, mobility and stability to improve your performance and prevent injury. Perform each movement with control, focusing on deep stretches and active mobility. You can do this on your yoga mat." After 5-6 rounds, move into a deep hip stretch by bringing one knee forward between your hands, with the back leg extended behind you (low lunge). Hold the stretch for 30 seconds on each side, then return to cat-cow for a few more rounds. Lean forward slightly to intensify the stretch, feeling the hips open. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch sides. Repeat 3 times. Hold the twist for a few seconds, then bring your hand back to the floor. Straighten your legs and push your hips back to feel a hamstring stretch. Switch sides after 90 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times. Focus on full-range motion and deep engagement of the hip flexors and glutes. Move from side to side, holding each squat for a second before switching. Do 8-10 reps per side. Hold the stretch for 1 minute on each side, focusing on breathing and relaxing into the stretch. Hold each side for 1 minute, gently pushing your hips forward with each exhale. According to ChatGPT, this routine improves active and passive hip mobility, which is "essential for an advanced weightlifter." ChatGPT also tells me this is great for my range of motion and for reducing tightness caused by heavy lifting. As I already mentioned, yes, the routine is basic. But so are the step-by-step instructions, which are disappointing. That said, my commands were too, so I'm still impressed that it built me a program not a million miles off what I'd program myself. As we're learning, the more specific you get with your instructions, the more specific the results. If I didn't know each of these moves already, I'd need to look into them further rather than rely on the instructions above. For that reason, I've included videos and images so you can follow along in your own time. I like that the routine considers the importance of flexibility and stretching, which aren't the same thing and can be overlooked. Typically, you'd save deep, static stretches for post-workout and cool-downs for best results; active stretching and mobility are better for pre-workout to prepare the joints and muscles for motion. Mobility refers to the range of motion performed around a joint or set of joints, like the hip circles and Cossack squats above, whereas stretches like pigeon pose and 90-90 allow muscles to lengthen and relax, improving muscular flexibility and contributing toward range of motion. Both are beneficial, improving the quality of your movements during exercise and regular daily life. While these are the types of exercises I'd program myself, I'd perform the hip circles from the tabletop position to improve overall range of motion and activate the wrists and forearms. You've got guidelines for how long to spend on each exercise and repetitions, although you've also got freedom to spend as long as you like on each movement. There's a problem I still have with ChatGPT. Trainers build a complete picture of their clients and tailor their programs accordingly, adapting them every few weeks or on the spot if necessary. If you're not an advanced exerciser and choose to use a program like ChatGPT for workout programming, you'll need to take on full accountability, knowing what to ask and what information is relevant, then adapt as you go. You'll also need to consider how often you adapt as you get fitter and stronger. That requires existing knowledge from the person asking the questions -- more likely coaches in the first instance, depending on your experience with exercise. After all, a bot isn't able to watch you work out (yet). ChatGPT can't yet deliver the uniquely in-depth and individualized service that a fitness trainer or coach could, but it doesn't do a bad job at all. I still think teaching requires intricacy, adaptation and progression led by the trainer-client relationship. But if you need to whip up a quick mobility program you can perform from home, this certainly does the job. I'm under no illusion that ChatGPT has taken over the coach role. Here's the question -- could it?
Tom's Guide
Wed, 16 Apr, 10:03 AM UTC
5 fitness apps powered by AI that you can download right now
Does AI actually improve a fitness app experience? We looked at favorites like Runna and PUSH to find out. With AI, the best fitness apps are now able to provide personalized and adaptive workout plans that aim to achieve your goals and provide insights based on your activities and health data. How do you know which exercises are best for your body? Or how to translate your health data into a fitness routine? So many fitness apps are turning to artificial intelligence to answer these questions. AI programs can study your data and translate it into easy-to-understand information; some use that information to create fitness plans that change on a day-to-day basis depending on how well your workout went the day before, or even your activity over the last few years. We've gathered five fitness apps who use AI in a variety of ways to improve the app and experience for users. Read on to see how these apps track and use your data and whether they're worth the cost. Want to run a marathon? Improve your running times? Or simply run longer distances? Consider Runna, the running app that offers personalized running plans to achieve your goals. In addition to running plans, Runna offers nutritional tips, running form advice, and even strength and mobility exercises. Others seek out the app for community elements, like running events, a team of running coaches you can message, and a host of discounts and offers. How it implements AI: Runna uses AI to generate your run plan. By monitoring your intervals, tempo, and time, Runna determines your pace status after each workout. Over time, the AI program can see trends in your running results, such as whether or not you're hitting your pace status and if you need a new pace target or workout plan to achieve your goals. Premium plan subscribers also have access to the beta version of a new Runna AI program called Workout Insights. After you complete your workout and rate it, Workout Insights pops up with thorough feedback produced via generative AI on what you did well, where you can improve, how your workout fits with your overall fitness goals, and some motivation and encouragement. Verdict: 4.5 stars. Read our full Runna review Build muscles quickly and efficiently with PUSH Workout & Gym Tracker. This app provides tailored strength-based workout plans for gym-goers and tracks your fitness over time, letting users know when to increase their reps or weight and providing new exercises once targets have been achieved. How it implements AI: After filling out a questionnaire about your workout routine, access to equipment, sleep and stress levels, and which muscles you want to focus on, PUSH's AI creates a personalized strength training routine. The workout plan is detailed in terms of reps and weights, even providing a rep timer. The app's AI tracks your progress over time, providing you with new suggestions for weights and reps to maximize muscle growth once it sees that you can handle certain workouts. If you can't complete a set with a certain weight, the AI might even create a plateau breaker exercise - such as an exercise with lighter weights or fewer reps - to help you stay on track. Verdict: Our best fitness app for strength training. Read our full PUSH review. Track your running and cycling stats with the Strava app. It doubles as a social network, letting users share their workouts and routes or even join community-based running or cycling groups. It's a great resource to find trails - be they on or off the road - in your area. How it implements AI: Athlete Intelligence is the name of Strava's generative AI program. It's designed to provide users with easier-to-understand insights based on their activity data. Upon uploading an activity like a run or a hike to Strava, the AI program offers feedback on your activity using encouraging language, as well as some thoughts on your overall exercise and fitness journey. By examining your speed, endurance, heart rate, pace, and elevation from the past 30 days of activities, Athlete Intelligence may suggest your next activity, celebrate milestones, or note overall fitness trends. Verdict: We rated Strava highly in our full Strava review, although it was written before the AI features were introduced. Athlete Intelligence offers nice contextual information, but after using it for a week, we said: "for now, though, there's not a lot that the AI can tell me that my fitness tracker isn't [telling me] already." AllTrails is a phenomenal resource to find trails to hike, walk, and cycle. With a subscription, users can create maps, plan trips, navigate and track their activities, and access stats. Within the community space on the app, you can suggest edits to trails, connect with others, and share trail lists. How it implements AI: AllTrails uses AI in numerous ways. First, there's TrailsGPT - an AI program that examines trip reports, comments, and images, and makes necessary edits to incorrect information. For instance, if a user accidentally wrote the wrong trail name, TrailsGPT would clean that up. The app also uses AI to search through photos submitted by users and pins those photos at the correct points on the trail map, so other hikers can see where certain photos were taken on the trail. Lastly, an OpenAI program creates a review summary at the top of each trail page, so you can get an overview of the feedback for each trail rather than have to read through all the reviews to get the latest updates on trail conditions or changes. Bonus: If you're a ChatGPT Plus Subscriber, you can access AllTrails' chatboat called AllTrails GPT. This AI chatbot examines AllTrails' database and answers questions users might have about trail conditions, what gear to bring for a specific trail, and more. Verdict: Rated 4.5 stars in our AllTrails review, and the review summaries/photo pins are genuinely very useful. Users can track their fitness activities and receive Garmin Coach training plans through Garmin's Connect+ app. In addition to building out courses for a ride or run using the best Garmin watches, you can take advantage of animated exercises, and receive insights and suggestions based on your health stats. Friends, family, or fans can track your starting and stopping points during an activity with LiveTrack, via text alerts rather than the usual single link. How it implements AI: Active Intelligence is the AI program that Connect+ uses to offer individualized fitness insights and suggestions throughout your day based on your health and overall activity data. These suggestions appear as small snippet-like paragraphs, created by generative AI, and even some graphs and charts. Some users have noted that Active Intelligence doesn't really differ from the insights that Garmin watches already provide and many have criticized the occasionally-redundant platitudes it offers, but perhaps this will change over time. Garmin Coach also utilizes AI to create workout plans for users and adapt those plans when necessary.
TechRadar
Sun, 20 Apr, 6:05 PM UTC
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