Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used more and more in the fitness industry to help people reach their fitness goals. One example is Magic AI, a company that has created an AI-powered personal trainer called the Magic Mirror. This mirror has a touch screen and plays videos of an AI trainer who creates a workout program just for you based on your body’s information. The AI trainer gives you feedback and suggestions during your workout, and as you get better, it creates new workouts for you. The use of AI in fitness is growing quickly, and experts predict that the market will be worth $7.8 billion in 2022 and $35.6 billion by 2030.

Some people like using AI trainers because it’s convenient and comfortable, but others think that having a human trainer is important for motivation and success in fitness. A Pilates teacher named Esther Fox believes that humans respond better to human trainers because there’s an emotional connection that AI can’t replicate. But a British sprinter named Desiree Henry, who is one of the AI trainers on the Magic AI mirrors, thinks that even during a home workout, having an AI trainer can make you feel supported and motivated.

AI fitness apps aren’t meant to replace traditional gyms, but to give people more options. However, there are now gyms that combine AI trainers with group classes. Lumin Fitness in Dallas, Texas, for example, uses LED screens and sensors to guide up to 14 people through personalized workouts. The AI trainers give feedback and watch your form, but there’s still a human trainer there to create a sense of community and make the experience better.

It’s important to remember that while AI can help you improve your workouts, it might not always be accurate. It’s still a good idea to talk to a human expert to make sure you’re not overdoing it or getting hurt. But as AI keeps learning and getting better, the fitness industry thinks that AI fitness apps will become even more amazing in the future.

Original news source: Can artificial intelligence help you get fit? (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask them to summarize the main points of the article in their own words. Encourage them to include key information such as the use of AI in the fitness industry, the benefits and drawbacks of AI trainers, and the future of AI fitness apps. After they have finished, have each group share their summary with the rest of the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Have the class stand up and divide the room into two sides. Designate one side as “Pro AI Trainers” and the other side as “Against AI Trainers”. Ask a series of statements related to the article, such as “AI trainers are more convenient than human trainers” or “AI trainers lack the emotional connection of human trainers”. After each statement, give the students a few seconds to move to the side of the room that represents their opinion. Once everyone has chosen a side, encourage students to discuss their reasons for their opinion with the people on their side.

– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word “AI” on the board. Ask the students to brainstorm words or phrases that they associate with AI trainers and the fitness industry. Encourage them to think creatively and come up with both positive and negative associations. Once they have generated a list of words, ask students to share their associations and explain their reasoning. This activity can help students expand their vocabulary and practice expressing their opinions.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Ask one student in each pair to describe the Magic Mirror and AI trainers to their partner while the other student sketches what they hear. After a few minutes, have the pairs switch roles. Once both students have had a chance to describe and sketch, ask them to compare their drawings and discuss any differences or similarities. This activity encourages listening comprehension and communication skills.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine what AI fitness apps will be like in the future. Will they be even more advanced and personalized? Will they completely replace human trainers? Will there be any drawbacks or concerns? Have students write down their predictions individually, and then discuss their ideas in small groups. Encourage them to support their predictions with evidence from the article or their own experiences. After the group discussions, ask a few students to share their most interesting or surprising predictions with the class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the Magic Mirror and how does it work?
2. Why do some people prefer human trainers over AI trainers?
3. How does Desiree Henry feel about having an AI trainer during a home workout?
4. How are AI trainers being used in gyms like Lumin Fitness?
5. What is the benefit of having a human trainer in addition to an AI trainer in group classes?
6. Why is it important to consult with a human expert even when using AI fitness apps?
7. What does the fitness industry predict about the future of AI fitness apps?
8. How much is the fitness industry predicted to be worth in 2030?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used more and more in the (1)______ industry to help people reach their fitness goals. One (2)______ is Magic AI, a company that has created an AI-powered personal trainer called the Magic Mirror. This mirror has a touch screen and plays videos of an AI trainer who creates a workout program just for you based on your body’s information. The AI trainer (3)______ you feedback and suggestions during your workout, and as you get better, it creates new (4)______ for you. The use of AI in fitness is (5)______ quickly, and experts predict that the (6)______ will be worth $7.8 billion in 2022 and $35.6 billion by 2030.

Some (7)______ like using AI trainers because it’s convenient and comfortable, but others think that having a human trainer is important for motivation and success in fitness. A Pilates teacher named Esther Fox believes that humans respond better to human trainers because there’s an emotional (8)______ that AI can’t replicate. But a British sprinter named (9)______ Henry, who is one of the AI (10)______ on the (11)______ AI mirrors, thinks that even during a home workout, having an AI trainer can make you feel supported and motivated.

AI fitness apps aren’t meant to replace traditional gyms, but to give people more options. However, there are now gyms that combine AI trainers with group classes. Lumin Fitness in (12)______, Texas, for example, uses LED screens and sensors to guide up to 14 people through personalized workouts. The AI trainers give feedback and (13)______ your form, but there’s still a human trainer there to create a sense of community and make the experience better.

It’s important to remember that while AI can help you improve your workouts, it might not always be accurate. It’s still a good idea to talk to a human expert to make sure you’re not overdoing it or getting hurt. But as AI (14)______ learning and getting better, the fitness (15)______ thinks that AI fitness apps will become even more (16)______ in the future.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is an AI-powered personal trainer?
2. How would you feel if you had an AI trainer giving you feedback during your workout?
3. Do you think having a human trainer is important for motivation in fitness? Why or why not?
4. Why do some people prefer using AI trainers instead of human trainers?
5. Do you think AI trainers can make you feel supported and motivated during a home workout? Why or why not?
6. What are some advantages of using AI trainers in fitness?
7. How do AI fitness apps give people more options?
8. What are some disadvantages of relying solely on AI trainers for fitness?
9. How can AI trainers and human trainers work together to create a better fitness experience?
10. Do you think AI trainers will become even more amazing in the future? Why or why not?
11. How can AI help improve your workouts?
12. What are some potential risks of relying solely on AI trainers for fitness guidance?
13. Have you ever used an AI fitness app? If so, what was your experience like?
14. Do you prefer working out alone or in a group? Why?
15. How do you think AI trainers can be improved in the future?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. artificial
2. feedback
3. replicate
4. convenient
5. motivation
6. emotional
7. supported
8. personalized
9. sensors
10. community
11. accurate
12. overdoing
13. expert
14. industry
15. amazing

Meanings:
(A) Someone who has a lot of knowledge about a particular subject
(B) Devices that detect changes in the environment and send information to other electronic equipment
(C) To make an exact copy of something
(D) Made by humans, not natural
(E) The collection of businesses and activities involved in making a particular product or providing a particular service
(F) A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common
(G) Information given to you about how well you are doing something
(H) Made to fit the special needs or requirements of a person
(I) Really impressive or wonderful
(J) Related to feelings
(K) Doing something too much or to an extreme
(L) Easy to use and saving you time or effort
(M) Feeling like someone is there to help you
(N) The reason or reasons you have for acting or behaving in a particular way
(O) Correct or precise
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the AI-powered personal trainer created by Magic AI?
(a) Fitness Guru
(b) Magic Mirror
(c) AI Trainer Pro
(d) Workout Wizard

2. According to experts, how much will the AI fitness market be worth in 2022?
(a) $3.5 billion
(b) $22.4 billion
(c) $7.8 billion
(d) $10.2 billion

3. Why do some people prefer human trainers over AI trainers?
(a) They think AI trainers are too expensive.
(b) They find AI trainers to be more motivating.
(c) They believe AI trainers are more accurate.
(d) They believe there is an emotional connection that AI can’t replicate.

4. Which British sprinter is one of the AI trainers on the Magic AI mirrors?
(a) Esther Fox
(b) Magic Mirror
(c) Desiree Henry
(d) Lumin Fitness

5. How do gyms like Lumin Fitness in Dallas, Texas combine AI trainers with group classes?
(a) They have AI trainers lead the group classes.
(b) They have human trainers watch your form and give feedback.
(c) They offer both AI trainers and human trainers separately.
(d) They use LED screens and sensors to guide people through personalized workouts.

6. What is the main purpose of AI fitness apps?
(a) To replace traditional gyms.
(b) To give people more options for their workouts.
(c) To make workouts more expensive.
(d) To make workouts less effective.

7. What is one important thing to remember when using AI to improve your workouts?
(a) It’s still a good idea to talk to a human expert to ensure accuracy and safety.
(b) AI trainers are always accurate and safe.
(c) AI trainers can replace human trainers completely.
(d) AI trainers are more effective than human trainers.

8. What does the fitness industry think about the future of AI fitness apps?
(a) They believe AI fitness apps will become even more amazing as AI technology improves.
(b) They believe AI fitness apps will become less popular in the future.
(c) They believe AI fitness apps will replace traditional gyms completely.
(d) They believe AI fitness apps are already perfect and don’t need any improvements.

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The AI trainer does not give feedback and suggestions during your workout and creates no new workouts as you improve.
2. Some gyms combine AI trainers with group classes, using traditional screens and sensors to guide personalized workouts.
3. While AI can help improve workouts, it’s still important to consult with a human expert to ensure accuracy and avoid injury.
4. The Magic Mirror is a touch screen mirror that plays videos of an AI trainer who creates personalized workout programs.
5. Some people prefer human trainers because they believe there is no emotional connection that AI can replicate.
6. Magic AI has created an AI-powered personal trainer called the Magic Mirror.
7. The use of AI in fitness is not growing quickly, and experts predict that the market will be worth $7.8 billion in 2022 and $35.6 billion by 2030.
8. Desiree Henry, a British sprinter, believes that having an AI trainer can make you feel supported and motivated even during a home workout.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is Magic AI and what product have they created?
2. How does the Magic Mirror work as a personal trainer?
3. What are some advantages of using AI trainers in the fitness industry?
4. How are some gyms combining AI trainers with group classes?
5. Why is it still important to consult with a human expert when using AI fitness apps?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the Magic Mirror and how does it work?
The Magic Mirror is an AI-powered personal trainer. It has a touch screen and plays videos of an AI trainer who creates a workout program based on your body’s information.

2. Why do some people prefer human trainers over AI trainers?
Some people prefer human trainers because they believe there’s an emotional connection that AI can’t replicate.

3. How does Desiree Henry feel about having an AI trainer during a home workout?
Desiree Henry, who is one of the AI trainers on the Magic AI mirrors, thinks that having an AI trainer can make you feel supported and motivated during a home workout.

4. How are AI trainers being used in gyms like Lumin Fitness?
In gyms like Lumin Fitness, AI trainers are used with LED screens and sensors to guide people through personalized workouts. They give feedback and watch your form, but there’s still a human trainer present to create a sense of community.

5. What is the benefit of having a human trainer in addition to an AI trainer in group classes?
Having a human trainer in addition to an AI trainer in group classes can create a sense of community and make the workout experience better.

6. Why is it important to consult with a human expert even when using AI fitness apps?
It is important to consult with a human expert even when using AI fitness apps because AI might not always be accurate. A human expert can ensure that you’re not overdoing it or getting hurt.

7. What does the fitness industry predict about the future of AI fitness apps?
The fitness industry predicts that AI fitness apps will become even more amazing in the future as AI keeps learning and improving.

8. How much is the fitness industry predicted to be worth in 2030?
The fitness industry is predicted to be worth $35.6 billion by 2030.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) fitness
(2) example
(3) gives
(4) workouts
(5) growing
(6) market
(7) people
(8) connection
(9) Desiree
(10) trainers
(11) Magic
(12) Dallas
(13) watch
(14) keeps
(15) industry
(16) amazing
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. artificial
Answer: (D) Made by humans, not natural

2. feedback
Answer: (G) Information given to you about how well you are doing something

3. replicate
Answer: (C) To make an exact copy of something

4. convenient
Answer: (L) Easy to use and saving you time or effort

5. motivation
Answer: (N) The reason or reasons you have for acting or behaving in a particular way

6. emotional
Answer: (J) Related to feelings

7. supported
Answer: (M) Feeling like someone is there to help you

8. personalized
Answer: (H) Made to fit the special needs or requirements of a person

9. sensors
Answer: (B) Devices that detect changes in the environment and send information to other electronic equipment

10. community
Answer: (F) A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common

11. accurate
Answer: (O) Correct or precise

12. overdoing
Answer: (K) Doing something too much or to an extreme

13. expert
Answer: (A) Someone who has a lot of knowledge about a particular subject

14. industry
Answer: (E) The collection of businesses and activities involved in making a particular product or providing a particular service

15. amazing
Answer: (I) Really impressive or wonderful
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the AI-powered personal trainer created by Magic AI?
Answer: (b) Magic Mirror

2. According to experts, how much will the AI fitness market be worth in 2022?
Answer: (c) $7.8 billion

3. Why do some people prefer human trainers over AI trainers?
Answer: (d) They believe there is an emotional connection that AI can’t replicate.

4. Which British sprinter is one of the AI trainers on the Magic AI mirrors?
Answer: (c) Desiree Henry

5. How do gyms like Lumin Fitness in Dallas, Texas combine AI trainers with group classes?
Answer: (d) They use LED screens and sensors to guide people through personalized workouts.

6. What is the main purpose of AI fitness apps?
Answer: (b) To give people more options for their workouts.

7. What is one important thing to remember when using AI to improve your workouts?
Answer: (a) It’s still a good idea to talk to a human expert to ensure accuracy and safety.

8. What does the fitness industry think about the future of AI fitness apps?
Answer: (a) They believe AI fitness apps will become even more amazing as AI technology improves.
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The AI trainer does not give feedback and suggestions during your workout and creates no new workouts as you improve. (Answer: False)
2. Some gyms combine AI trainers with group classes, using traditional screens and sensors to guide personalized workouts. (Answer: False)
3. While AI can help improve workouts, it’s still important to consult with a human expert to ensure accuracy and avoid injury. (Answer: True)
4. The Magic Mirror is a touch screen mirror that plays videos of an AI trainer who creates personalized workout programs. (Answer: True)
5. Some people prefer human trainers because they believe there is no emotional connection that AI can replicate. (Answer: False)
6. Magic AI has created an AI-powered personal trainer called the Magic Mirror. (Answer: True)
7. The use of AI in fitness is not growing quickly, and experts predict that the market will be worth $7.8 billion in 2022 and $35.6 billion by 2030. (Answer: False)
8. Desiree Henry, a British sprinter, believes that having an AI trainer can make you feel supported and motivated even during a home workout. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧