Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the fitness industry: people can now ask chatbots to write marathon plans, build gym programs and even adjust workouts based on sleep or heart rate data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For many, AI feels like the future of fitness coaching because it is fast, cheap and readily available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But while AI can be helpful, research suggests it still has limitations, especially when compared with experienced human coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, let\u2019s look at how it all works and the pros and cons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is very little research examining exactly why people use AI for exercise programs, but researchers have offered some potential explanations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firstly, accessibility and cost: a chatbot can create a strength or running program in seconds without you having to wait for an appointment with an exercise professional. Not to mention these can be generated for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secondly, availability. There is some research indicating people appreciate rapid feedback in real-time from AI tools. For example, you could ask an AI tool how to change an exercise due to knee pain and get a response in seconds. However, if you are following a program prescribed by a human coach, you may need to wait a day or two before discussing the issue and receiving feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is a growing body of research looking at the suitability of AI-generated exercise programs across a host of contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One study had ChatGPT design an individualised exercise program for five made-up people, which were then evaluated by a team of experts. They concluded the AI tool could provide safe, basic exercise recommendations, but may not provide enough adaptability to ensure long-term progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similarly, another study had expert running coaches assess AI-generated running programs. They thought the exercise programs were suitable for novices but not great for trained athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The effectiveness of these programs appear to be highly dependent on the level of information provided. In short, the more context you can provide regarding your current capabilities, goals and fitness level, the better the exercise program will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, providing such detailed prompts requires a degree of content-specific knowledge that many people don\u2019t have. This may make AI tools less useful to the average person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, it is not clear whether AI systems can fully account for injuries or medical conditions. Health screening is important to keep people safe before exercising and something all exercise professionals should do before writing you a program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If this is being missed, there is the potential for an AI-generated exercise program to be unsafe for your current level of health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n