I’ll just come out and say it: I don’t like ChatGPT very much.
When it comes to programming, I tend to find that there is rarely any overlap between the tasks which it is actually capable of doing competently, and the things which I actually would like an AI to help me with. However, I have finally found a non-programming use case which has genuinely been life-changing for me: generating workout routines.
I am very out of shape. I have been for quite a long time, but lately it has started to feel like a real problem which I can’t keep ignoring; I’m only 28 but my joints are starting to ache and physical exertion often feels much harder than it should. I have a nice set of weights, but every time I feel motivated to work out, I have always ended up running into a wall: I have no idea what to do.
If we’re being honest with ourselves, the proper answer to this problem should probably be to join classes or find a personal trainer, but this presents some additional problems for me: these options cost a non-trivial amount of money, require traveling to another location, can’t be flexibly slotted into my day where I have time, and of course I’ve already spent a good chunk of change on my own equipment at home so I would like to justify that purchase if I can.
This is where ChatGPT comes in! I have crafted a prompt which allows me to use ChatGPT as a virtual fitness trainer. Now, I can just pop into that chat, type “Give me an upper-body workout”, and it will generate a routine for me on demand!
Now, it’s not perfect: despite really hammering on the fact that I don’t want it to include exercises which require equipment that I don’t have access to, it still suggests exercises requiring an exercise bench with annoying frequency. Of course, I am not a great prompt engineer, so I’m sure my prompt could be tightened up a lot as well. Despite these imperfections, it always gives me a starting point, and it has generally done a pretty good job at suggesting a fairly complete workout routine. If I can’t do something it suggests, I just ask it to provide an alternative and it usually does better the second time around.
This has made a huge difference in allowing me to overcome my analysis paralysis and just start working out; my past attempts at getting fit usually sputter out within a couple weeks, but I am now well into my 3rd week of regularly exercising and I am feeling great about it.
If you can relate to my struggles of wanting to work out more but not knowing how to go about it, I can’t recommend this approach highly enough. Give it a try!