Survey: Over Half of Americans Would Trust AI to Act as Their Personal Trainer

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the fitness industry, offering personalized training plans and real-time feedback through fitness apps. As technology advances, we may soon see AI personal trainers capable of replicating the expertise of human trainers — or even surpassing them. 

But as we embrace this technological advancement, a crucial question arises: How will we balance the efficiency and convenience of AI-powered fitness with the human connection and personalized touch that many of us crave?

To explore this question further, we conducted a survey to gauge public sentiment toward AI personal trainers. Let’s take a closer look at what people think about AI fitness trainers and apps.

Over 50% of People Would Use AI for Personal Training

We asked respondents: “Would you trust AI to be your personal trainer?” Turns out, over half said yes.

While we saw a range of responses from all generations, younger folks are more hesitant. In fact, over 30% of people between 18 and 29 don’t trust AI to act as their personal trainers. Meanwhile, 65% of individuals ages 30-44 are slightly more likely to trust AI as personal trainers than those ages 45-60 (60%).

This data suggests a generational gap in trust for AI personal trainers. Folks between 30 and 60 years old trust AI more than younger adults (18-29). While a significant portion of the population trusts AI for fitness guidance, a substantial number remain uncertain about its capabilities.

Women Are More Hesitant to Trust AI Personal Trainers Than Men

While most respondents trust AI personal trainers, there seems to be a gender disparity in trust. Our data revealed that nearly 30% of women don’t trust AI to act as their personal trainers, whereas nearly 3 in 4 men do.

There’s also a large number of females (29%) who are unsure whether they trust AI for personal training. The hesitation suggests that women may perceive AI differently than men, potentially viewing it as less reliable.

This gender divide in trust for AI personal trainers may be due to several factors, including societal expectations, concerns about privacy and data security, and a lack of representation of women in AI development.

Addressing these factors will be crucial for increasing women's trust in AI personal trainers and ensuring that AI technology is accessible and beneficial to all.

24/7 Availability Is the Main Reason for Using AI for Personal Training

Our survey revealed that 24/7 availability is the top reason people are turning to AI for their fitness needs. Over a quarter of men (26%) and 30% of women cited this as the primary advantage.

This isn’t particularly surprising since nearly 1 in 10 people said the best time to work out is before 6 a.m. With AI, users can access personalized workouts and nutrition plans anytime, day or night. 

Whether it's a late-night workout session or a quick morning workout routine, AI personal trainers are ready to assist. This offers a level of convenience and flexibility that traditional personal training simply cannot match, especially if it’s outside traditional working hours for trainers.

Nearly 40% of Men Prefer Personalized Workout Plans Created by AI

Respondents are divided regarding features they want in AI fitness tools. While nearly half of men prefer AI-generated personalized plans, only a quarter of women are open to these custom workouts. In fact, over half of people believe that an AI personal trainer could motivate them to exercise more regularly. 

Women, in particular, are more eager about AI-powered apps that offer nutrition tracking and advice. Additionally, a significant portion of the population is interested in AI-powered apps that integrate with wearable fitness devices.

In addition to the preference differences by gender, we also saw some differences between generations. Younger generations, particularly those ages 18-29, are drawn to AI's potential for real-time feedback and motivation. They envision AI as a virtual fitness coach, providing instant corrections on form and technique and constant encouragement. Meanwhile, individuals ages 30-44 are keen on AI-generated personalized workout plans.

On the other hand, older adults (over 60) express interest in AI-powered virtual fitness classes and a hybrid approach combining pre-recorded workouts and live, interactive sessions.

As AI technology continues to evolve, we expect to see a surge in innovative fitness apps offering all of these perks: personalized training, real-time feedback, and community engagement. 

Over 40% of People Would Spend Less Than $10 per Month for AI-Powered Fitness Services

Now that we’re more familiar with the features people seek in AI workout apps, let’s look at how much people are willing to pay.

Over half of respondents, including a majority of women and younger adults (over 50%), are willing to pay less than $10 per month for an AI-powered fitness subscription. This indicates a strong demand for accessible and affordable AI-driven fitness solutions.

However, a significant portion of men, especially younger demographics, are willing to spend more, with over a quarter expressing a willingness to pay between $21 and $30 per month. This suggests that there's a market for premium AI-powered fitness services offering advanced features and personalized experiences.

Exceed Your Fitness Goals with Flex Fitness

Our survey reveals that consumers are eager to embrace AI personal trainers and apps, especially those that are affordable and personalized. 

With personalized plans, 24/7 availability, progress tracking, and more, you can reach your goals faster with Flex Fitness. Our free workout app helps you stay motivated and receive feedback easier than ever before.

Ready to experience the future of fitness? Download the free Flex Fitness app today and start your personalized fitness journey. With Flex Fitness, you'll have access to expert-designed workouts, real-time reports, and a supportive community. Let's achieve your fitness goals together.

Methodology

The survey of over 1,000 adults ages 18+ was conducted via SurveyMonkey Audience for Flex Fitness on November 12, 2024. Data is unweighted and the margin of error is approximately +/-3% for the overall sample with a 95% confidence level.