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Feb 4, 2026

What AI fitness apps can and can't do — for now

Nicole Nguyen, personal tech columnist at The Wall Street Journal, tested out three of the latest AI coaches and chronicled how it went.

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What AI fitness apps can and can't do — for now
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You can get a pretty good workout plan from a chatbot, but the tech is also being incorporated into all kinds of existing fitness apps, from Apple's Workout Buddy, which motivates you through earbuds, to the Fitbit AI health coach, to Peloton's AI-enabled camera that tracks your form.

Nicole Nguyen, personal tech columnist at The Wall Street Journal, gave some of the most popular ones a spin. She spoke with “Marketplace Tech” host Meghan McCarty Carino about her experience.

More on this

“I Tested an AI Fitness Coach Who Wouldn’t Accept Any of My Excuses” from The Wall Street Journal

“Use Workout Buddy in Workout on Apple Watch” from Apple

“Peloton IQ delivers personalized training, insights, and guidance to help you build lasting strength.” from Peloton

“Introducing the new personal health coach powered by Gemini” from Fitbit

The Team