From “It helped me stick to a routine” to “I despise it”: How people are using AI for their fitness

PPeople have mixed feelings about AI. Although many people use it regularly – 62% in the US and 69% in the UK – trust in the technology is low. In the US, only 26% of people have a positive view of AI, according to an NBC poll, and in the UK, 78% say they are worried about negative consequences of AI.

So perhaps it’s not surprising that readers’ reactions to our AI and fitness note were mixed. Some said they rely on AI to shape their workouts and diet, while others said they refuse to use it at all due to its impact on the economy and the environment. And many were somewhere in between – they thought it was a useful tool, but weren’t exactly thrilled about the impact of the technology overall.

“Developing a fitness program requires more than a cookbook approach obtained through AI,” says Dr. Carol Garber, professor of exercise science and education at Columbia University. Garber recommends working with a (human) certified training professional if possible,…