From ‘it helped me stick to a routine’ to ‘I despise it’: how people are using AI for fitness

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While some are using AI to tailor programs better suited to their needs, others warn ‘it can be wrong, confidently so’

People have mixed feelings about AI. While many people regularly use it – 62% in the US and 69% in the UK – trust in the technology is low. In the US, only 26% of people have a positive view of AI, according to one NBC poll, and in the UK, 78% say they worry about negative outcomes from AI.

So it is perhaps no surprise that readers’ responses to our callout about AI and fitness were varied. Some said they rely on AI to shape their workouts and diets while others said they refuse to use it at all because of its impact on the economy and the environment. And many were somewhere in between – they found it a useful tool, but were less than thrilled about the technology’s impact overall.

“Developing a fitness program requires more than a cookbook approach, which is what you will get from AI,” says Dr Carol Garber, professor of movement science and education at Columbia University. Garber recommends working with a (human) certified exercise professional if at all possible, whether virtually or in person. “AI samples from available information on the internet, and frankly, it often gets things wrong,” she says. These mistakes could result in serious injuries.

If one does use AI for fitness guidance, Garber says it’s important to always double check the information you get with credible sources.

Below, readers share how they are using AI for fitness. These are personal examples, not suggestions or advice.

Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

‘It helped me stick to a routine’

I decided to use AI after failing to keep a steady routine. I told it my fitness desires, how I usually fail to stay engaged, my health data (like a knee problem) and my former fitness routines when I was a high school swimmer. AI planned a weekly workout schedule that includes three days of weight lifting at home – including exercises, loads and reps – and three days of swimming.

Two months in, I’m sticking to a routine for the first time in years.
– Jose, 60, Netherlands

‘We were better off without them’

After retiring from motorcycle racing, I needed a fitness target. I asked AI to devise a program to increase my bench press by approximately 20% over 12 months – from 120kg to 140kg. I had never embarked on a purely strength training regime before. The AI program incorporated some exercises I was familiar with and some that I was not.

I use AI at work. But in general, along with social media, the world wide web, and most tech innovations since 1985, I feel that we were better off without them.
– Patrick McCann, 62, New Zealand

‘It can be wrong, and confidently so’

I started taking Mounjaro in August 2024, and committed to a whole new lifestyle, including strength training three times a week. I wanted to progress my workouts, but I didn’t have the time or finances to work with a trainer. Last year, I used ChatGPT to analyse my progress so far and guide me going forward. I continue to use it to develop my programs, check my form, and help me work around any injuries. I also do my own research rather than rely solely on what the AI tells me.

AI can be an excellent tool if used intelligently. It can be wrong, and confidently so. It sometimes feels like working with an over-enthusiastic, knowledgable, but inexperienced intern.
– Debbie McGowan, 56, West Lancashire

‘Information delivered at the speed of light’

I’m a retired wine pro with a slovenly past. Wine and gastronomy every day led to weight gain, but thanks to my AI trainer, I’ve shed it all. I use an indoor bike for spinning workouts. AI set the program, the schedule and the daily regime. It also gave me dietary advice, delivered feedback, answered questions, corrected workout mistakes, tweaked things and encouraged me.

The AI had access to all the information needed online, and delivered it at the speed of light. I didn’t waste time chasing information or reading endless weight loss programs. Trial and error was eliminated. AI is available 24/7 and is free.
– Dave, 62, France

‘A good first step’

I’m not a huge fan [of AI]. I think it’s generally overrated in its current form. I have asked questions about my area of professional knowledge and found it lacking. I do think it’s a useful tool for fairly straightforward things and for the first step on a research journey.

In online wellness spaces, I’ve seen so much about the importance of strength training, but I didn’t know where to start. I watched videos on YouTube to learn about form and get ideas. After a few months, I used ChatGPT to talk about my diet. It also gave me suggestions for workout plans. It was good at coming up with things tailored to my lifestyle, age and available time.
– Drew Long, 46, Edinburgh

‘Now I can swim 2,800m’

I only learned to get my head under water a year ago. Now, I swim at least three times weekly, and download MySwimPro workouts on to my Apple Watch. The workouts are customized for my ability and goals. AI sends a coaching text after each workout that is delivered in a relentlessly upbeat tone, giving me advice and celebrating every achievement.

I also swim with a Masters club, and the coaches there, who see my technique, have given me helpful feedback that the app cannot. But I enjoy my individual workouts with the app. I think the two methods are complementary.

Today, I swam 2,800m. Not bad for an old gal who only learned to swim properly a year ago!
– Gerarda Cronin, 68, British Columbia

‘I use it as a personal trainer/assistant/doctor’

I use AI across most parts of my life. As an almost-50-year-old, I am conscious about making sure that my exercise is appropriate for my age. I use AI as if it were a personal trainer, personal assistant and doctor. I feed it transcriptions of podcasts (and other sources) about longevity. Based on this information, it develops plans for me: resistance training one day, rowing the next, some yoga. If I have any injuries, I feed that into the AI to make sure that day’s exercises won’t make the injury worse.
– Chris Morrell, 49, Surrey

‘It’s a useful tool that is sometimes dumb’

I wanted to work with a personal trainer, but I was unimpressed by the one at my gym, and it was expensive.

I currently use AI to build new programs for the gym. It helps me with setting weight targets, the number of reps I should do, etc. It is also helpful with injuries and how to manage them and helps fix bad technique. I find it a useful tool. As long as you remember it is not an all-seeing god. It reminds you from time to time how dumb it is.
– Peter Saddon, 56, Yeovil

‘Exactly tailored to me’

I vibe-coded an app that lets me and my girlfriend workout and keep each other accountable through fun things like “streaks”. The app suggests workouts based on our goals, gives a schedule, times the reps or distance and gives nutritional suggestions by tracking my meals. It took two evenings to build and is exactly tailored for me. I love being able to see my progress while also essentially being given a set list of what to do.
– Tom Davison, 30, Netherlands

‘Surprised at its knowledge’

I have a background in running. I did my first marathon in 1980, and competed until I was 50. I started cycling three years ago. Although I am relatively knowledgable about training, I started using AI to help give me feedback and to discuss progress and changes to my training program. I don’t use it to develop my training plan – I have a coach who does this. But using these in combination has been positive.

After each ride, I upload my data, and the AI and I discuss the session and how it felt. It’s like having a one-on-one session with your coach. I was interested to see how much AI would know about training principles, and was surprised at its knowledge and depth of understanding.
– David Cooper, 61, France

‘I loathe and despise it’

I never use it. AI and phones in the gym have been a source of irritation, isolation and argument. I loathe and despise AI.
Susan Mulhall, 76, Washington DC

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