Can AI tools help with your fitness goals? More importantly, can free AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity help replace the gym as the trusty source of fitness and health guidance? One woman decided to find out by trying it for real.
Despite hefty gym memberships, personal training fees and a seemingly endless stream of expensive workout gear, Ella Plevin, who, despite spending over $100 monthly on various fitness pursuits, found herself struggling to achieve her health goals. Immersed in “gymfluencer” and self-improvement culture, she felt her ability to stay healthy was linked to spending, a costly cycle that yielded little in terms of actual results.
However, Ella decided to adopt a radical shift in her approach, trading human instructors for an AI sidekick. The result has not only transformed her physique but also her financial outlook. In just over two months, she has become stronger and leaner, saving hundreds of dollars in the process. While the initial intention wasn’t to replace human guidance, the undeniable benefits of AI-powered self-discipline have given her back ownership of her time, money, and most importantly, her motivation, says Ella in a personal account shared on Business Insider.
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“I lucked out that one of the instructors running classes at my local gym was brilliant and had a knack for pushing me just beyond my natural limits. I trained with him for about a year, but when he moved on, my motivation tanked,” writes Ella.
Despite staying at the gym, the lack of consistent guidance from other instructors saw her attendance wane, with excuses and procrastination becoming the norm. Even attempts to bribe herself with new gym wear or post-workout treats proved unsustainable, leading to financial drain rather than physical gain.
“I used ChatGPT as a master app, entering my goals and progress each week and requesting new or updated workout routines. I also used it to explore issues around willpower and discipline. Where once I might have taken a few days to read and sift out strategies and motivation from books, now I could find solutions in real time and dig into the reasons I might be holding myself back,” says Ella.
ChatGPT even became her go-to for discovering other free AI-powered fitness apps. Among these recommendations, Cronometer, a nutrition and calorie-counting app, proved invaluable. Using its free version daily, she meticulously tracked her water intake, macronutrients (carbs, proteins, and fats), fiber, iron, and vitamin levels. This newfound data sparked further curiosity, leading her back to ChatGPT to deepen her understanding of nutrition. She asked specific questions, such as the importance of protein for muscle growth and recovery, optimal intake levels, and best sources. ChatGPT responded with simple meal plans designed to boost her protein intake and complement her workouts effectively.
The results have been transformative. In a relatively short period, Ella says that she has seen significant improvements in strength, stamina, body composition and mood. Her muscle definition has improved, and she’s doubled the weight she’s lifting in a matter of weeks. The financial benefits are equally significant: the urge for expensive personal training has vanished, and she’s cancelled her gym membership, opting instead for her local free outdoor gym.