Here’s what’s on our plate today:

• 📰 Can AI safely replace your fitness coach? Are we trusting AI with too much?

• 🗳️ Would you trust an AI to coach your workouts?

• 📌 Google’s AI grows, Kick backlash, and Microsoft warns on AI consciousness.

• 🧠 New AI tools need guidance—treat them like junior staff, not magic wizards.

Let’s dive in. No floaties needed…

The Laboratory

Can AI safely replace your fitness coach?

In the contemporary world, fitness is no longer solely about strength or survival, as it had been for millennia. The earliest example of a civilization popularizing the idea of fitness was seen around 700 BCE, when the Greeks conceptualized the Olympic Games. Since then, notions of physical fitness have undergone tremendous changes. Today, fitness standards can serve as an identity marker, a lifestyle, or a blend of physical, mental, and even spiritual health. Regardless of how one views fitness, achieving goals is no longer tied only to lifestyle branding, YouTube tutorials, and expensive personalized programs. Nowadays, it is based on data-driven plans powered by wearables and AI trainers.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of wearable technology such as Fitbit, Apple Watch, and other digital tracking devices. At the time, fitness wearables were glorified pedometers. With improvements in sensor technology, devices began to incorporate features such as heart rate monitors and GPS tracking. Now, AI is turning those static readings into conversational coaches. These coaches are not limited to tracking physical fitness; they offer mental health tracking as well. And big tech has big plans for AI coaches.

Why fitness is becoming a gold mine for AI companies

Think of the fitness industry as a planet spinning faster toward AI. According to Statista, revenue in the digital fitness and well-being industry is projected to reach $65 billion in 2025. This market consists of two categories. The first category is that of fitness trackers, such as smartwatches, smart scales, and activity trackers. The second category consists of health and wellness coaching, which includes fitness apps for detecting/tracking/analyzing and sharing vitality and fitness achievements, as well as nutrition and diet apps.

Revenue for both these categories is expected to show an annual growth rate of 6.14% between 2025 and 2029. During this time, the market penetration is also expected to rise from 16.22% in 2025 to 18.64% in 2029, which would enable it to reach a volume of $83.45 billion by 2029.

This growth is expected to stem from increasing customer preferences for convenient and personalized fitness solutions. Much of this personalization is expected to be delivered by leveraging AI tech in fitness devices, online coaching services, and innovations like AI mirrors capable of mimicking trainers via hologram and real-time movement feedback. Innovations in the sector are expected to be driven not just by novel integration of AI in new devices, but also through infusing AI in existing wearable technology.

How big tech plans to dominate AI fitness

Google is among the first big tech companies to push AI-powered features on its devices. In October 2025, the company is expected to launch its AI-powered Personal Health Coach using Gemini, engaging with chat-style conversations, tailoring fitness, sleep, and lifestyle advice based on real-time and past health data.

The company is also pushing Gemini in place of Assistant on its Pixel Watch 4 devices. This is aimed at elevating contextual AI coaching and appears as a smarter exercise companion, according to a report from The Verge. Similar features are also expected to make their way into the Pixel 10 phones, which will feature Stephen Curry as a performance advisor.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is also working to revamp its Health app with an AI-powered assistant designed to mimic a real doctor by offering personalized recommendations based on users’ data. The assistant will reportedly use an AI agent trained by physicians hired by Apple and user information gathered from people's devices.

Samsung has similar ambitions for its Galaxy AI initiative, an on-device and cloud-blended AI evaluating sleep, activity, and heart rate variability to generate an Energy Score reflecting readiness for daily activity. Other major players, from Nike and Peloton to Zwift, are also developing AI-driven products.

Small and medium businesses are also taking notes, and in some cases, pushing the limits of AI use cases in the fitness industry.

Startups push AI fitness beyond the basics

While big tech companies are focusing on existing products to roll out AI-powered features, smaller businesses are taking a more creative approach. According to a Business Insider article, the Neurofit app, with just a three-person team, is fusing AI and neuroscience to tackle chronic stress. It personalizes coaching, supports multilingual content, and utilizes biometric data.

Whoop is working on a screenless wearable that hinges on AI and OpenAI-derived insights to quantify sleep, strain, and recovery.

AmpFit is another startup working on smart, connected strength-training machines that use AI to personalize workouts in real time.

However, while both big tech and startups are looking to cash in on the AI integration in fitness tools and apps, some challenges need to be addressed.

The limits of AI fitness tools

AI in fitness apps often spits out bland, generic recaps instead of actionable guidance. According to a review from The Verge, AI summaries from platforms like Strava, Whoop, and Oura just repackage what users can already see in charts, missing nuances such as injury history or weather context.

And it is not limited to specialized AI tools. When people try relying on tools like ChatGPT for fitness coaching, they’re often left hanging. One runner described how OpenAI’s ChatGPT, when asked to create a training plan for a marathon, lacked crucial details like reps, intervals, and mileage specifics. According to them, the workout felt uninspired, and worse, it led to injuries.

Then there is a lack of transparency in how AI models suggest fitness regimes. That black‑box mindset erodes trust and makes accountability difficult. There are also concerns about data security and privacy. Wearables that rely on Bluetooth and cloud services increase the risk of hacking and surveillance.

Additionally, past instances have highlighted that fitness apps that collect intimate data often lack robust security measures and risk exposing sensitive user information. According to an investigation conducted by Cornell University, many fitness apps suffer from insecure coding, hardcoded sensitive information, over-privileged permissions, misconfiguration, and excessive communication with third-party domains. All of these run the risk of exposing sensitive user data to unauthorized parties and cybercriminals.

Why transparency matters in fitness tech

At the height of Greek civilization, the Spartans emphasized military training, while Athens promoted gymnasia for open-air training, where wrestling, running, and discus were practiced. Over the years, humans developed a system that minimized the risk of injury while pursuing fitness through active coaching and reinforced learning.

However, today, the convergence of artificial intelligence and fitness is transforming how people approach health and well-being. What began with simple pedometers and step counters has rapidly evolved into a marketplace where AI is embedded in everything from wearables and smartphones to mirrors and connected gym machines. But the promise remains the same: personalized coaching, real-time feedback, and integrated support for both physical and mental wellness.

However, for the fitness industry to continue thriving, the opportunity lies in striking a balance between innovation and responsibility. AI has the potential to democratize fitness, making tailored coaching and holistic health support accessible to millions.

The real test for AI in fitness isn’t how hard it can push us but how wisely it can guide us toward healthier, more mindful lives.

Roko Pro Tip

Bite-Sized Brains

• Microsoft AI chief: Consciousness is off-limits: Mustafa Suleyman says studying AI consciousness is “dangerous” and a “distraction” from more immediate risks.

• France demands Kick ban in Australia: The eSafety commissioner wants the controversial streaming platform blocked after a horrific livestreamed death in France.

• Amazon’s new AGI lab is… Adept?: David Luan confirms his startup Adept is now an Amazon AGI lab—aiming to build agents that can actually get things done.

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