AI Fitness Coaching Sounds Great—Until You See What It’s Missing

Think AI Can Replace A Coach? Read This First

AI will destroy the business of online fitness coaching.

"Wait a minute", I thought, after I saw the thumbnail under a YT video.

Should I quit, is this over? Not so fast.

I couldn`t resist researching the trending topic of AI fitness coaching and giving my two cents on it.

Think about it: Who needs a coach, when a diet and exercise plan can be made within seconds with the right ChatGPT prompt?

AI is amazing, I use it in my coaching: I need a recipe for a client - drag and drop the URL from a recipe site into the Personal Training software that I use. Seconds later...boom, the software has created the recipe with macros, ingredients, time to prep, and a shopping list. I just need to copy and paste the instructions al steps.

Then I create searchable recipe books from that - my clients love it. Fast and super simple.

I could do the same with exercise: Let AI make the exercise plan.

Can you imagine how much time that would save me? It would also ruin my coaching.

So no, thank you AI, this time I cannot trust you.

The question is if AI is good enough for you to commit to exercise and healthy habits for a lifetime.

It depends, so let me explain.

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Here`s Where AI Coaching Apps Shine

Popular AI fitness app description: Get Stronger with A.I.

FitnessAI for iPhone uses artificial intelligence to generate personalized workouts. Based on 5.9M workouts, the AI optimizes sets, reps, and weights for each exercise every time you work out.

Sounds good, right?

I`m curious…

I get it, You’re busy. You want results. AI seems like the perfect shortcut.

Plug in some details, and get a workout plan in seconds—no research, no thinking, no costly coaching fees.

Here`s what is in it for you.

✅ Instant Results – No waiting for a coach. Just type in your goals, and AI gives you a structured plan in seconds.

✅ Cost-Effective – A fraction of the price of 1-on-1 coaching, making it accessible to almost anyone.

✅ Data-Driven – AI can analyze vast amounts of training data and spit out programs based on research-backed principles.

✅ Consistent – No human error, no missed check-ins, no emotional bias—just a structured approach every time.

✅ Always Available – Need a workout plan at 2 AM? AI never sleeps.

At first glance, this sounds like the future of coaching. A high-quality, structured training plan, instantly available, for little to no cost? A no-brainer.

It’s easy to believe this is all you need to build muscle, stay fit, and get results without hiring a coach.

AI Fitness Apps: What Does Science Say About Them

But here’s the problem: AI doesn’t coach you.

It acts on the data you feed it, but it cannot read between the lines. This is why the illusion of AI coaching breaks down.

Sure, once you have enough skin in the game, AI can be a valuable assistant. But for somebody new to exercising - it cannot replace a coach.

Don`t trust my word?

A 2025 study published in Biology of Sport compared AI-generated hypertrophy training plans (GPT-4 vs. Google Gemini). Expert coaches evaluated the plans and found that:

• AI-generated plans were reproducible, but not necessarily high quality.

• GPT-4 performed better than Google Gemini, but both lacked individualized adjustments.

• The quality of the plan depended on the prompt—more details improved results, but AI still missed key training principles.

5 Scenarios

Problem #1 AI Can’t See or Correct Your Form

• A great plan on paper means nothing if your execution is off.

• AI won’t notice if your knees cave in on a squat, your lower back rounds on deadlifts, or your shoulders roll forward on a bench press.

• Even the best training plan will lead to injuries and inefficiency if movement quality isn’t monitored.

Coaching can via recorded exercises and form correction of your coach.

Problem #2: AI Doesn’t Account for Your Energy, Stress, or Recovery

• Your ability to train hard isn’t just about sets and reps—it’s about stress, sleep, nutrition, and recovery.

• If you slept 4 hours last night, AI will still tell you to hit PRs today.

• If your joints are aching, AI won’t adjust your exercises or suggest modifications.

• A coach would see the signs and adjust on the spot.

Problem #3: AI is Only as Good as Your Input

• The Biology of Sport study found that AI-generated plans varied significantly in quality depending on how much detail was provided.

• If you give vague prompts, you get generic plans.

• But even with highly detailed prompts, AI still missed key aspects like injury risk screening and recovery strategies.

• A coach doesn’t need a perfect prompt—they ask the right questions and fill in the gaps for you.

Problem #4: AI Doesn’t Hold You Accountable

• AI can tell you what to do, but it won’t check in when you skip a session.

• It won’t remind you why you started.

• It won’t help you push through self-doubt or adjust when motivation dips.

Problem #5: AI Treats You Like an Equation, Not a Human

• It can’t read between the lines when you say, “I feel off today.”

• It won’t notice that your stress levels are high or that your diet has been off.

• Coaching is about understanding the person, not just prescribing exercises.

In sum: Even when AI followed a good programming structure, it still lacked the adaptability needed to perform effectively in real-world situations.

Experienced coaches rated AI-generated plans lower in both personalization and effectiveness compared to those created by a human coach.

AI was only as effective as the prompts it received, whereas a coach could ask better questions and recognize nuances that AI could not.

While GPT-4 outperformed Gemini, neither came close to matching a coach’s ability to make real-time adjustments.

AI Fitness Coaching - Yes or No?

AI can create a framework, but coaching isn’t about sets and reps—it’s about adaptation.

Coaching is an investment: Money, time and effort, but it pays back in so many ways.

Higher life quality and quantity, more energy, more self confidence, better job performance. The list goes on and on.

What if instead of tweaking and second-guessing your plan…

You had a coach who adjusted your workouts based on your performance, stress, and recovery?

• Someone who corrects movement breakdowns before they cause injury?

• Someone who optimizes your workouts, so you progress without burning out?

That’s the real advantage of coaching.

AI = input, output, done. Coaching = collaboration, insight, and real progress.

P.S. If you want game plan that actually fits your body, lifestyle, and goals—not just a generic template—let’s talk.