Gymgoers may be happy to track their workouts with tech, but they don’t want artificial intelligence to replace human trainers and coaches, per a new report from Les Mills
Nearly one in three Americans was reported to use a wearable device to track their health and fitness, according to a Health Information National Trends Survey in 2023 — a figure that is likely higher now, with devices like the Oura Ring capturing the attention of younger consumers and commanding eye-watering valuations.
But for all our tech toys and data obsessions, gymgoers have a message for AI: hands off our trainers.
That’s according to Les Mills’ newly released 2026 Global Fitness Report, which found that just 10% of consumers globally prefer AI workout guidance over a human coach.
The group fitness leader drew its findings from more than 10,000 consumers across five continents.
By the numbers, 52% of respondents leaned human-first, with 31% strongly preferring a real trainer and another 21% leaning that way, for the personal connection and expertise that come with human interaction. The remaining 37% said they were undecided.
Perhaps most encouraging for both budding and seasoned trainers is that even Gen Z and Millennials prefer human coaches, despite their well-documented affinity for tech. In fact, they appear to be the most resistant. Les Mills found that just 11% of 16-27-year-olds and 9% of 28-40-year-olds prefer AI-generated content.
Bryce Hastings, Les Mills’ head of research, attributes that pushback to something AI still struggles to replicate, at least for now: real human energy.
“Technology is shaping fitness in countless ways, but nothing beats the buzz of a live class and these findings show we remain social animals when it comes to working out,” Hastings said. “Exercising with others maximizes ‘the group effect’, which our research has shown leads to increases in a person’s enjoyment, satisfaction and exertion.”
But that is not to discount the idea entirely. In an unlikely twist, those aged 55 and up were the most open to AI, according to Les Mills, with 13% preferring a digital coach, the highest share of any demographic.
Although the reasons are not entirely clear, the report suggests AI’s appeal in fitness may have more to do with individual priorities than with tech fluency.
Still, when it comes to what actually moves the needle in gyms and studios, fitness instructors win.
“The instructor is a vital part of this equation, as they’re armed with the knowledge, skills and experience to connect with the individuals in the group and create a sense of ‘we’ in a class that produces a very positive overall experience,” Hastings said. “They take what we know from science and bring it to life for participants.”
Trainers and coaches are arriving at a similar conclusion, according to a recent report from the ISSA, which found that fit pros aren’t handing coaching over to robots, but are instead using AI to streamline their workflows while investing more in the human side of the job.
It shows up largely in back-end tasks like programming ideas, content support, scheduling and organization, and, according to ISSA, has helped roughly 70% of trainers increase productivity, freeing them up to spend more time with clients.
