It is 10 a.m., and someone is stretching in front of a smooth black screen in his apartment. Just as he is about to do his squats, the mirror calmly says, “Lower your hips... perfect form. “Nobody here to coach him except the Fiture Mini, an AI-powered smart mirror that watches his every move and provides immediate feedback.
Hello and welcome to the next chapter of fitness in Malaysia as dumbbells and yoga mats are soon joined by smart mirrors, motion sensors, and artificial intelligence-powered applications. With the advancement in technology, one of the questions that need to be asked is: Can AI actually substitute personal trainers?
Razien Na’if, 26-year-old app user in Kuala Lumpur said: “The Fiture mirror was so cool-looking: like a sci-fi movie.”
“But I think I would not stay motivated even if I could afford it. At home one can easily lose concentration. In the gym, I need the presence of other people to motivate me.”
The Rise of AI Fitness
AI is making a big impact on fitness worldwide. In 2023, the AI fitness mirror market was valued at more than USD 1.2 billion and is expected to grow by more than 20% every year. The increase is due to people wanting to use smart and tech-based solutions that are flexible, convenient, and based on data.
People in Malaysia are becoming more interested in AI fitness, especially in cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. With people getting back to their usual routines, they are searching for quicker and more adaptable methods to take care of their health.
“Apps have become like they know what you require. I open it, and there is my entire plan ready,” Razien shared.
“It’s fast, it’s personalised , and that’s perfect when you don’t have time to think.”
Razien has Strava and sometimes tries other applications such as Fitbod. Although they keep him on track, he confesses that it is not sufficient at all times.
“At the gym, I’ll push harder. But at home, it’s easy to get distracted. The AI reminds me what to do, but it can’t make me do it.”
The Trainer’s Take
Not all people believe that AI can substitute the human touch.
“AI will assist in form, but it will not understand whether you are in a bad mood or you simply did not sleep well,” said Lau Xing Yu, a certified personal trainer from Setia Alam.
Lau has more than five years of experience in coaching clients. Although he is willing to use apps as supplements, he does not think that they can be used alone.
“There are also times when a client is physically doing everything right but he/she is not really there mentally. That is not something that AI can learn but a trainer can.”
He also highlighted that some people need more than instructions.
“There are times when people do not need only correction. They should be encouraged. A coach may tell a person, one more rep, you can do it, and that moment is more important than the correct form.”
Is Malaysia Prepared for AI Fitness?
The smart fitness market in Malaysia is expanding, although its usage in small towns is still low because of affordability, digital literacy, and lack of awareness. Advanced ICT skills are only possessed by 15 percent of the Malaysians and the cost of the devices is still a hindrance in rural regions.
Fitness apps are gaining demand, particularly among the younger tech-savvy consumers. The entire smart fitness industry is projected to develop at a 12.7 percent CAGR between 2026 and 2033, but fitness apps will expand even quicker at 18.5 percent due to health consciousness and improved digital infrastructure. Instead of replacing them, traditional gyms are evolving and introducing hybrid programs, which include both digital and in-real-life coaching.
The Future
AI is not coming to replace gyms yet. It is transforming the way we approach workouts, making them quicker, smarter and more flexible.
“It’s a great tool, but it can’t replace a real person’s presence,” Lau reflected.
“In the end, people still want to be seen, heard, and understood.”
As Malaysia enters the era of fitness, it is not entirely clear that the future will be digital, but it will certainly be hybrid.
Ian Low (junianlow6@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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