What happened
After six months with AI fitness apps, Lucy Binder discovered surprising results. Tracking sleep and stress with wearables, AI suggested yoga over HIIT on stressful days, aligning workouts with her menstrual cycle. The technology reduced decision fatigue and introduced enjoyable new activities, ultimately...
In January, like every year, I make resolutions and promise myself I’ll really stick to them this time. This will finally be the year I exercise regularly, live healthier, and establish a routine! But this time, I actually had a strategy: AI fitness apps.Since June of last year, I’ve been testing whether artificial intelligence can help me not only set my fitness goals, but also achieve them.
And spoiler: It can, just not in the way I would have thought.The beginning—somewhere between skepticism and curiosityWhen I decided to try out AI fitness apps last summer, I was honestly skeptical. Can an algorithm really know what motivates me? Before then, I would painstakingly put together my own fitness programs using a smattering of different workouts, often without truly knowing what was good for my body at that moment.
For example, I always opted for HIIT training, even though it turns out I sometimes needed low-impact options to align with my body’s energy availability at certain phases of my menstrual cycle. The result: I had little energy, even less motivation, and the feeling that I was constantly working against my own body.
My setup for this self-test was relatively simple. I decided to use both my Apple Watch and my Oura Ring as a base for various AI fitness apps and other digital training formats. The idea was to find out whether the data-based assessments and reminders they promised would really make a difference and maybe even finally find training that was supportive instead of overwhelming.
Apple Watch SE 3Oura Ring 4AI in the fitness sectorIn the first few weeks, I noticed that these tools are very good at one thing in particular: recognizing patterns. My Apple Watch and my Oura Ring not only tracked my training sessions but also my rest periods, sleep, and stress levels. After about three weeks, the Apple Fitness+ app began to make workout suggestions that better suited my daily routine.
On a particularly hectic Wednesday in July, the app suggested a short 10-minute yoga session instead of the 45-minute HIIT workout I had planned. I was disappointed at first—what’s the point?—until I realized that was exactly the point.Here’s the thing about personalized training plansWhat particularly surprised me was the longer I used the tools, the more appropriate their suggestions became.
When I started integrating regular strength training into my routine around August, I noticed that I was being recommended more and more varied workouts. Slowly, the whole thing became fun because not everything was always the same. Based on my previous sessions and activity data, the apps suggested more balanced workout combinations that covered different areas of the body and got me out of my usual routine.
This structure took away a lot of the decision fatigue that had often stopped me from getting started in the past.The line between motivation and monitoringOf course, there were also moments when I found the constant presence of technology annoying. Sometimes the daily reminders felt more like added pressure.
What really helped me, however, was when the apps showed me specific data instead of generic motivational phrases. I found reminders like “You were active three times last week, would you like to continue this week?” much more motivating than vague reminders to work out that only added to my stress.
Virtual training partners are surprisingly approachableOne aspect that I initially underestimated was how real the virtual trainers can feel. I’m actually one of those people who doesn’t love jogging—but with an AI trainer in my ear offering an encouraging audio guide and motivating music, running suddenly started to feel good.
Over time the recommendations adapted better and better to my habits. Around October, for example, I noticed that quiet yoga sessions suited me much better in the mornings while I had energy for more intense workouts in the evening. The suggestions adapted accordingly and without pressure.Lucy BinderMy conclusion after six monthsNow, at the start of the new year, I’m taking stock: Yes, AI fitness apps have helped me stay on track.
They weren’t a magic bullet, though. The real game changer was the combination of smart technology with my own willingness to stay active. The good news is that getting into the mood to work out is suddenly much easier when I’m listening to my body. Often the reason we don’t enjoy exercise is because it’s exhausting.
When I adapted the workouts to my menstrual cycle, however, there was suddenly a power that I didn’t even know I had.I also learned exercise doesn’t always have to be sweaty. Sometimes a long walk is enough. During my experiment, I found the Time for Walking function of the Apple Fitness+ app to be particularly fun.
You can go for a virtual walk with celebrities such as Rita Ora or Penn Badgley as well as inspiring personalities such as Malala Yousafzai.Lucy BinderWhat I’ll be doing differently in 2026This year I’m taking a much more relaxed approach to the topic. I’m still using the tools, but more as support tools than as a strict training plan.
My goal is no longer to tick off a workout every day, but to find exercise that fits into my life and feels good. What helps me with this is variety. For me, exercise works best when I can choose what I feel like doing. Sometimes a short workout, sometimes just a walk, and sometimes something completely new.
Other times, I don’t feel like spending a long time searching for what to do. It’s in those moments that I’m glad the AI tools know what I have enough energy for.My honest assessmentAI fitness apps can help me keep my New Year’s resolutions, but only if I see them as a tool and not as a substitute for self-discipline.
Algorithms can recognize patterns and make sensible suggestions, but the decision to actually get started still has to come from me. After six months, I’m fitter than I was before I started. I also have a more regular routine and—most importantly—a better sense of what my body needs. It’s not all because of technology, though it did help me listen to myself instead of following a plan blindly.
Will my New Year’s resolutions work this year? At least I’m more optimistic than ever. That’s a start, right?A version of this story was previously published in Glamour Germany.---
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In January, like every year, I make resolutions and promise myself I’ll really stick to them this time. This will finally be the year I exercise regularly, live healthier, and establish a routine! But this time, I actually had a strategy: AI fitness apps.Since June of last year, I’ve been testing whether artificial intelligence can help me not only set my fitness goals, but also achieve them.
And spoiler: It can, just not in the way I would have thought.The beginning—somewhere between skepticism and curiosityWhen I decided to try out AI fitness apps last summer, I was honestly skeptical. Can an algorithm really know what motivates me? Before then, I would painstakingly put together my own fitness programs using a smattering of different workouts, often without truly knowing what was good for my body at that moment.
For example, I always opted for HIIT training, even though it turns out I sometimes needed low-impact options to align with my body’s energy availability at certain phases of my menstrual cycle. The result: I had little energy, even less motivation, and the feeling that I was constantly working against my own body.
My setup for this self-test was relatively simple. I decided to use both my Apple Watch and my Oura Ring as a base for various AI fitness apps and other digital training formats. The idea was to find out whether the data-based assessments and reminders they promised would really make a difference and maybe even finally find training that was supportive instead of overwhelming.
Apple Watch SE 3Oura Ring 4AI in the fitness sectorIn the first few weeks, I noticed that these tools are very good at one thing in particular: recognizing patterns. My Apple Watch and my Oura Ring not only tracked my training sessions but also my rest periods, sleep, and stress levels. After about three weeks, the Apple Fitness+ app began to make workout suggestions that better suited my daily routine.
On a particularly hectic Wednesday in July, the app suggested a short 10-minute yoga session instead of the 45-minute HIIT workout I had planned. I was disappointed at first—what’s the point?—until I realized that was exactly the point.Here’s the thing about personalized training plansWhat particularly surprised me was the longer I used the tools, the more appropriate their suggestions became.
When I started integrating regular strength training into my routine around August, I noticed that I was being recommended more and more varied workouts. Slowly, the whole thing became fun because not everything was always the same. Based on my previous sessions and activity data, the apps suggested more balanced workout combinations that covered different areas of the body and got me out of my usual routine.
This structure took away a lot of the decision fatigue that had often stopped me from getting started in the past.The line between motivation and monitoringOf course, there were also moments when I found the constant presence of technology annoying. Sometimes the daily reminders felt more like added pressure.
What really helped me, however, was when the apps showed me specific data instead of generic motivational phrases. I found reminders like “You were active three times last week, would you like to continue this week?” much more motivating than vague reminders to work out that only added to my stress.
Virtual training partners are surprisingly approachableOne aspect that I initially underestimated was how real the virtual trainers can feel. I’m actually one of those people who doesn’t love jogging—but with an AI trainer in my ear offering an encouraging audio guide and motivating music, running suddenly started to feel good.
Over time the recommendations adapted better and better to my habits. Around October, for example, I noticed that quiet yoga sessions suited me much better in the mornings while I had energy for more intense workouts in the evening. The suggestions adapted accordingly and without pressure.Lucy BinderMy conclusion after six monthsNow, at the start of the new year, I’m taking stock: Yes, AI fitness apps have helped me stay on track.
They weren’t a magic bullet, though. The real game changer was the combination of smart technology with my own willingness to stay active. The good news is that getting into the mood to work out is suddenly much easier when I’m listening to my body. Often the reason we don’t enjoy exercise is because it’s exhausting.
When I adapted the workouts to my menstrual cycle, however, there was suddenly a power that I didn’t even know I had.I also learned exercise doesn’t always have to be sweaty. Sometimes a long walk is enough. During my experiment, I found the Time for Walking function of the Apple Fitness+ app to be particularly fun.
You can go for a virtual walk with celebrities such as Rita Ora or Penn Badgley as well as inspiring personalities such as Malala Yousafzai.Lucy BinderWhat I’ll be doing differently in 2026This year I’m taking a much more relaxed approach to the topic. I’m still using the tools, but more as support tools than as a strict training plan.
My goal is no longer to tick off a workout every day, but to find exercise that fits into my life and feels good. What helps me with this is variety. For me, exercise works best when I can choose what I feel like doing. Sometimes a short workout, sometimes just a walk, and sometimes something completely new.
Other times, I don’t feel like spending a long time searching for what to do. It’s in those moments that I’m glad the AI tools know what I have enough energy for.My honest assessmentAI fitness apps can help me keep my New Year’s resolutions, but only if I see them as a tool and not as a substitute for self-discipline.
Algorithms can recognize patterns and make sensible suggestions, but the decision to actually get started still has to come from me. After six months, I’m fitter than I was before I started. I also have a more regular routine and—most importantly—a better sense of what my body needs. It’s not all because of technology, though it did help me listen to myself instead of following a plan blindly.
Will my New Year’s resolutions work this year? At least I’m more optimistic than ever. That’s a start, right?A version of this story was previously published in Glamour Germany.---
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