At this point, just about everyone has at least played around with AI. Something we get asked often is: How feasible is it to use it instead of personal training? Valid question. We’ve tested a few platforms to see how the workouts and meal plans look, and while there’s definitely some potential, there are also serious weaknesses you need to be aware of.
Let’s start with the most obvious pro: it’s cheap. Not us. We are not cheap, not easy, and not for everyone, but I digress. There are paid AI options out there, but you can also use programs like ChatGPT or Gemini to generate workouts and meal plans completely free of charge. That can feel like a big win, especially when compared to investing in professional training.
Another advantage is convenience. AI can write up a workout instantly, tailored to whatever muscle group or piece of equipment you want to use. It is fast, and it is available 24/7.
But here is the catch: customization only works if you already understand your body. For example, if you know you have lower-cross syndrome and a lateral shoulder tilt, you can feed AI those details. But if you know you have pain and do not understand the cause, please, please, please work with a human being who can assess you properly and make adjustments in real time. Otherwise, you risk following a program that could make things much worse.
In our testing, the workouts AI generated looked fine (I will argue a little bland, but fine) on paper but lacked progression, the thoughtful structure that gradually builds strength, endurance, and resilience. They were cookie-cutter, missing the nuance that separates “just moving” from actually training. And most importantly, AI cannot watch your form, cue your posture, or spot when fatigue is setting in. That is how injuries happen.
On the nutrition side, the results were okay. The meal plans were basic, and sometimes they followed our macronutrient recommendations, but there were also errors. More importantly, the plans lacked variety and rarely accounted for food quality, family dynamics, or sustainability, things that matter when you are trying to actually live with a plan long term.
But here is the biggest gap: accountability. When we start with new clients, we always ask what they feel they need the most help with, and nine times out of ten the answer is accountability. Most people already know, at least in general, what they should be doing. They just need someone there to hold them to it. AI does not notice when you skip a week, does not check in on your stress or sleep, and does not send you a message to remind you of your goals when you are tempted to give up. That human factor is irreplaceable.
So, can you use AI for workouts and meal planning? Absolutely. It can be a useful tool. But if you want lasting results, results that consider your body, your lifestyle, and your motivation, you still need a human being in your corner. That is where personal training wins, every time.
At the end of the day, AI is a tool. It can point you in a direction, but it cannot walk the path with you. At Elect Wellness, we do not just give you workouts and meal plans. We give you expert eyes on your form, adjustments that keep you safe, strategies that fit your life, and the accountability to follow through. That is what transforms “knowing” into “doing,” and “trying” into real results.
Fitness is not about cheap shortcuts. It is about lasting change. And for that, nothing replaces a real human coach in your corner.
Thomas C. Jensen is an exercise physiologist, nutritionist, and a nationally certified personal trainer through both the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Harding University and a member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society. As a wellness speaker and franchisor, he has shared his expertise in health and fitness with diverse audiences. He has been professionally training and consulting clients of all ages and backgrounds, for both health and human performance, for over 20 years. In March of 2004, he launched Elect Wellness, a thriving home-delivered personal training and nutrition coaching company, which has since expanded into an effective franchise system.
