Should AI Be Your Personal Trainer? Experts Share 2 Ways AI Can Help Now—and 3 Ways It Still Can't.
Men's Health
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
AI technology is quickly emerging as a potential game-changer in the world of fitness, offering personalized workout plans tailored to individual needs. However, experts like Mike Israetel caution that AI still has significant limitations when it comes to replacing human coaches entirely. While AI can generate workout ideas and provide basic knowledge, its lack of physical understanding and context retention means it struggles with adapting to real-time changes in a person’s body or environment.
One major limitation is the inability of AI to account for the nuances of the human body. Unlike a human coach, AI cannot factor in daily fatigue or other external factors that might affect workout performance. This makes it less effective at adjusting routines on the fly, which is something human trainers excel at.
Another issue is AI's reliance on language training rather than physical data. While AI can analyze text and provide logical advice, it struggles with understanding biomechanics or movement patterns visually. For example, an AI might not fully grasp how a person’s squat form changes over time, limiting its ability to offer precise feedback.
Despite these shortcomings, AI still has valuable uses for fitness enthusiasts. Beginners can use it as a tool to learn basic concepts and generate workout ideas, while experts can leverage it to explore advanced topics or double-check information. Israetel emphasizes that AI should be seen as a supplementary resource rather than a replacement for human guidance.
For those looking to optimize their fitness journey, blending AI tools with human expertise is key. While AI offers convenience and 24/7 availability, it’s not yet advanced enough to fully replicate the adaptability of a trained professional. This combination ensures individuals can benefit from technology while avoiding potential
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Originally published on Men's Health on 2/25/2026