Looking for advice on how to use an AI workout generator. I want to improve my fitness and need a personalized routine, but I’m not sure where to start with these AI tools or which ones are reliable. Hoping someone can share tips or resources for getting the most out of an AI workout generator.
Oh boy, AI workout generators—so basically the Netflix “recommended for you” of the gym world. You plug in all your “totally accurate, not-at-all exaggerated” stats (height, weight, experience level, which probably means lying about how many push-ups you can actually do), and voilà! It’ll spit out a routine that seems so custom-tailored that you’ll almost forget it doesn’t know you at all.
Seriously tho, start with something popular and user-friendly like Fitbod, Jefit, or Freeletics. Those apps will ask you lots of Qs about your goals (build muscle, lose fat, run a marathon, join the Avengers, etc.), your equipment (do you have a pair of dumbbells or just soup cans from your pantry?), and how many days you feel like pretending you can commit.
After filling in all that info (don’t forget to put you’ll work out 6x a week for that guilt trip later), the AI tries to make a routine that isn’t just “do burpees until you become a puddle.” The nice thing is it usually updates based on your feedback—so if you hated a workout or crushed it, you tell it & supposedly it gets smarter.
Are they reliable? Eh, depends. Some are way better than others at adapting. Read some reviews—if people say they ended up with a broken spine and existential dread, maybe skip that one and try another app. Also, don’t expect it to replace an actual trainer’s eye, but for the basics it’s pretty solid.
Best advice, tbh? Treat the AI plan like that IKEA instruction manual—you’ll follow half of it, wing the rest, and somehow end up stronger… or at least with much better stories. Don’t overthink, hit “generate,” and start sweating—AI or not, ya gotta put in the work.
Tbh, I get where you (and @voyageurdubois) are coming from—the “AI knows me better than I do” hype is kinda hilarious, but these tools aren’t totally useless. Here’s my two cents, rapid fire style since reading manual-length forum posts is basically cardio on its own.
First: Don’t get stuck thinking the generator does all the work. You need to actually try the exercises and see if they feel right—some AI plans are way too ambitious, or the opposite, like “Lift your pinky five times and call it strength training.” If the routine feels ridiculous or too easy/hard, tweak it or swap out moves. Sometimes just copy-paste your AI workout as a template, then Franken-build your real routine after you see what feels good.
I disagree a bit w/ the “just pick one, any one” approach though—I’ve had some janky, clickbaity apps push straight garbage routines. Read reviews, absolutely, but also actually preview a week’s workouts and see if they make sense given your space and gear. Some of them don’t even let you pick “training around old injuries” or focus on mobility, which IMO is a huge red flag.
If you’re into tracking–sync up w/ Google Fit or Apple Health, since not all AIs play nice with your tech ecosystem—annoying, but true.
Oh, and pro tip nobody mentions: Use the AI generator mostly for structure and progressive overload, NOT for form advice. Want to avoid “existential dread + broken spine” like the other post? Watch YT vids for correct form, maybe even invest in a live session w/ a real personal trainer to audit your squat or pushup after two weeks on the AI plan.
Last thing—consistency >>> perfection. Even the prettiest, most “tailor made” AI workout is useless if you only open the app for dopamine hit and never sweat. Pick something, press “start,” swap out moves you hate, and don’t treat it like the Bible.
Oh, and don’t lie to your app about being a hardcore twice-daily lifter unless you enjoy feeling judged by a phone. That’s my take.
Pros & cons time, and let’s demystify a bit: AI workout generators are super convenient—you don’t have to write out long programs or analyze whether you should do squats before lunges or the other way around. You open the app (say, Fitbod), input your goals and what equipment you have, and get a pretty solid starter routine. Pro: instant structure and you don’t have to think too much, which is A+ when motivation is your enemy. Con: It can’t actually see your form, and as @voyageurdubois pointed out, most don’t factor in specific injuries or quirks unless you’re in the pro-tier subs.
Unlike @andarilhonoturno, I don’t totally trust all of them to give reasonable progressions. Some spit out stuff that makes sense; others suggest doing sets of bicep curls after “max effort” push-ups when you said your goal is running a 5k. Try the plan for a week—don’t be afraid to mix and match. In fact, consider the AI workout generator as your starting point, not your end-all-be-all. Want to amp up your session? Use the app’s structure for volume, but grab form cues and actual technique tips from legit trainers on YouTube or, yes, book a one-off assessment if you keep tweaking your knee.
Huge win: syncing with wearables is slick, keeping you honest with what you’ve actually done (not what you WISH you did). Downside: data can get wonky if you switch apps mid-month, so pick something and stick with it a few weeks.
Nitpick: Too many people get hung up on picking the “perfect” AI generator. Reality? Most routines are 80% the same at the beginner/intermediate level. It’s more about sticking to the one that’s not buggy, isn’t all ads, and actually feels motivating.
TL;DR: AI workout generators save you brainpower, offer clean entry points, and nudge you toward hitting your goals, but don’t trust them with injury prevention, complicated progressions, or nuanced exercise swaps. Use them as a helpful tool, not a substitute for learning good movement patterns. And don’t expect miracles—consistency, as the others said, is the real secret.
Competitors like Jefit or Freeletics go broader with community stuff and tracking; Fitbod is my go-to for simplicity. Weakness: Still need external resources for form and injury prevention. Strength: No more “what should I do today?” brain fog.
Just press “generate,” but keep your critical thinking on!