Will the Best Personal Trainer Apps Cancel Personal Trainers?
Approximately one year ago, as the COVID-19 global pandemic flared, local fitness studios began shutting their doors and moving their classes to the online space. Zoom, YouTube and Facebook LIVE allowed boutique fitness studios to continue serving their members, and kept instructors receiving regular paychecks. But now, personal trainer apps and other virtual fitness options have created overwhelming competition in the home fitness space.
The shut-down of brick and mortar studios propelled online fitness services such as Peloton, Mirror, and Hydrow to even greater success as technology giants rushed to join the rapidly growing market of daily fitness apps.
Where there was once a need for several yoga teachers to serve their local population, the wide reach of the best personal trainer apps means one teacher can now lead thousands of viewers in a single class. Sometimes, there’s no need for a teacher at all, as AI learns to coach us in our Downward Facing Dog.
Here at FitAtom, we’re all about accessible fitness. It’s hard to argue against affordable, daily workout apps that keep so many bodies moving. But at what cost do these virtual fitness systems operate, and are they turning their backs on the very instructors that inspired their following in the first place?
FitAtom’s Human Commitment
In an effort to support both instructors and their students, FitAtom intentionally partners technology with humanity. We are committed to supporting the entirety of the community in which we operate through the following three principles:
1. AI is Not a Replacement for Live Instructors
FitAtom’s proprietary AI ensures your alignment is safe. Real-time instruction and cueing reduces risk of injury for those participating in at-home fitness and learning new things.
Our AI has learned from real yoga and fitness instructors. Rather than putting local teachers out of business, we’ve partnered with them.
We encourage users to engage with both the FitAtom AI and our live instructors, either via in-app programs or at their local fitness and yoga studios.
2. FitAtom’s Technology is Partnered with Humanity
Our multifaceted daily workout app offers both AI-informed coaching and live group classes. The two modalities complement one another.
Perfect your technique at your own pace during a one on one session with the app, then apply what you’ve learned in a group setting where you’ll pick up the pace.
FitAtom learns from you too. Receive personalized training and nutrition programs based on your goals, not a one-size-fits-all formula.
3. FitAtom Encourages Community
The global pandemic has ushered in a stay-at-home era in which it’s become all too easy to isolate. Meals, entertainment, and fitness can be delivered to your home, and we’re missing human contact.
FitAtom encourages relationship and connection as a means of self-improvement but also general wellness. The bonds we form with others are as nourishing as our workouts.
Live group classes, prompts to share fitness and success stories with others, and the option to join motivational groups based on your age, location, or goals are all incorporated into the app.
True Wellness is Inclusive
It’s important to us at FitAtom that AI technology not put real-life instructors out of business. Your local teachers have informed our technology, and you’ll find them on our platform teaching real-time classes alongside our AI-powered coaching.
Online fitness is rapidly changing, but what it means to be a healthy human isn’t. True wellness in 2021 and beyond will be an inclusive endeavor. The best personal trainer apps will involve technology, but with a human touch.
