I’m a former personal trainer — and this AI fitness app is surprisingly legit

I've been experimenting with an AI personal training app called Ray for the past month, and I must say, it's quite impressive. This app not only provides audio coaching but also observes your form during exercises. Being a former personal trainer, I can tell you that a well-designed workout requires more than just selecting muscles to target.

Factors like weight, volume, rest, exercise order, and progression all play crucial roles in creating an effective program. Ray has impressed me with its ability to progress weights intelligently, rather than simply making workouts longer or harder. It understands that real progress comes from gradually challenging the body while adjusting for life or recovery factors.

The app caters primarily to strength training but can also incorporate conditioning, cardio, mobility, and stretching as needed. You can use Ray at the gym, at home with dumbbells, or without any equipment at all. It adapts to what equipment you have available and designs workouts accordingly. One of the most impressive aspects of Ray is its hands-free operation.

With just the voice, it tells you what exercise to do next, counts your reps, manages rest periods, and keeps the workout flowing without requiring constant phone checks between sets. This hands-free experience is something I hadn't anticipated but greatly appreciate during workouts. The app's camera feature is another standout, automatically counting repetitions as you perform exercises.

The phone is positioned so your body is visible, and Ray follows your movement to keep count, saving you from having to remember your rep count while focusing on form. The camera feature is not mandatory; you can use the app without enabling it. While Ray's language can sometimes feel repetitive, its ability to adapt workouts based on your feedback and current state is a significant advantage.

It can modify sessions based on factors like soreness, fatigue, or limited time, making it easier to fit strength training into a busy schedule. However, it's important to remember that Ray isn't a replacement for a qualified trainer, doctor, or physical therapist. For serious injuries or complex form issues, professional medical advice is necessary.

Despite a few minor glitches, Ray has proven to be a reliable AI personal trainer that offers a remarkably human-like coaching experience.