Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are making it easier than ever for people to access basic exercise advice, but recent analysis shows that these digital trainers still have a long way to go before replacing human expertise. Researchers put a leading AI chatbot through its paces, asking it to generate month-long workout routines for people with health conditions like high blood pressure, obesity, and asthma.

The AI consistently followed standard safety guidelines and offered exercise prescriptions grounded in widely accepted principles, providing routines that emphasised frequency, intensity, time, and type. However, experts who reviewed these plans found that while the advice was sensible and conservative, it rarely showed the level of individualisation required for people dealing with complex health issues. The plans were often generic, lacking the progressive adjustments and fine-tuning that help people make meaningful, safe gains.

One of the main limitations was the AI’s inability to adapt routines in real time based on user progress or health responses. With no way to interactively monitor symptoms, account for other medical factors, or incorporate patient preferences, the system defaulted to “one-size-fits-all” solutions that, while safe, may not be effective for all users.

The findings suggest that while AI can help make general exercise advice more accessible, it remains a complement rather than a replacement for personal trainers or healthcare professionals. Until AI tools are able to offer ongoing dialogue and nuanced adaptation, human judgment is still essential for safe and effective fitness planning.