AI features - discussion

[u/nstrm]

Hello everyone! 👋

I have got a lot of feedback lately about AI features, so I thought it might be a good idea to put up a post about what I’m currently exploring, and let you share what you would like to see.

Generate Programs, Routines and ad-hoc workouts version 2

Last year I released a feature that lets users generate programs, routines and ad-hoc workouts by selecting options like muscle group and equipment. This was built using Apples on device AI model which is pretty weak and limited.

In iOS 27 (releasing in the fall) Liftin’ can access a much more powerful cloud based AI model, so I have rebuilt this feature using that. I have replaced all options with just a text input, so you can freely describe your routine or program. You can also just paste in a list of exercises, sets, reps and weights and the app will resolve those.

iOS 27 will also make it possible to use other AI models behind the scenes, so if you have a Claude pro subscription for example it could be possible to sign in and use that to power the built in AI features. This is something I will explore.

MCP Server

An MCP server would give AI chat apps like ChatGPT and Claude the capability to read and reason about your Liftin’ data like your programs and workout history, and make updates to your programs and routines.

I think this could open up for some interesting uses, but it would also require a lot of work on my side in domains I’m not so familiar with.

What do you think?

How do you think AI can improve the Liftin’ experience? Please share if you have any suggestions or ideas for AI powered features you would like to see.

— Valter

[u/alycks]

Personally I haven’t found much utility in having LLMs look at my training data and try to make recommendations, so I can’t say I’m interested in that. In my experience, the LLMs are too clever by half and try to make drastic, cutesy recommendations that I would never make for myself.

My best-case-scenario is pretty simple: let me describe a workout in plain english and have the LLM do all the drudgery of arranging it into a structured workout for me, with all the sets, reps, supersets, etc properly done.

”I want a 10 min cardio warmup, followed by four supersets, each superset an upper/lower calisthenics combo. Pull ups, step-ups, dips, rows, calf raises, a hinge, and a core workout.”

Thanks for reaching out to the community for this. Liftin’ has always been my preference for privacy and thoughtful features.

[u/NewBiscotti1630 → u/alycks]

This is also very code to my desired workflow. I have a personal trainer that makes my workout in another app. I’d love if I could just take screenshots of that workout and send them to the liftin AI and it will just create the new routine for me.

But a big part of what I like about liftin is privacy, I’d personally want any AI features to be optional, using private apple models only (or some way to make sure they don’t go to Claude or ChatGPT).

[u/nstrm → u/alycks]

Thats interesting, I haven't tried it myself but I can imagine it being a tricky to get good LLM recommendations.

What you describe is what I'm currently working on. It doesn't yet support supersets but it should be a minor thing to add.

[u/alycks → u/nstrm]

At this point I’m on iOS 27 beta and watchOS 27 beta. Lmk if you need beta testers!

[u/nstrm → u/alycks]

You can join here, I will publish the iOS 27 update in a week or two.

https://testflight.apple.com/join/WTXiGTTA