First things first: a disclaimer.
This post isn’t a dig at anyone in the fitness industry. So before you book 36 fake consultations out of spite — breathe.

This is just a real, candid conversation we need to have as coaches, because I’m seeing a pattern that's getting louder by the day:
Fitness professionals going all-in on AI.

And frankly?
It’s a bad idea.
Here’s why:

1. I Like AI. It's Incredible. But Going All-In on Anything (Without a Safety Net) Is Dumb.

Let's get this straight:
I’m not anti-AI.
AI is already reshaping how we work, create, and deliver value. It's phenomenal.

But here’s the trap:
In almost every situation, going 100% all-in on a brand-new thing without a fallback plan is a great way to land yourself broke and frustrated.

And in AI?
The competition is already ridiculous. Thousands of insanely smart people are building AI tools, automations, apps, and workflows every single day.
Finding a truly unique angle that hasn’t already been taken?
Slim odds.

If you’re a coach, your "core business" is still:

• Building relationships

• Delivering results

• Creating transformation

• Guiding humans, not just algorithms

AI should be a tool you use. Not your new personality.

2. You Don't Become an Expert Overnight — and Thinking You Will Is Arrogant

Another harsh truth:
You are not going to become an AI expert in six weeks.

It takes years to master any meaningful skill.
And AI isn’t just "press a button, get a result" anymore.
Real expertise involves:

• Programming concepts

• Prompt engineering

• Deep tech understanding

• Strategy and execution across platforms

Can you learn cool stuff to enhance your coaching business with AI?
Absolutely.
Should you abandon what you’ve spent years mastering (coaching, fitness, client management) to become the next ChatGPT whisperer?
Probably not.

Use AI to make your existing business better — don’t naively assume you’ll make more money starting from scratch in an industry where you have zero credibility.

3. "The Next Big Thing" Syndrome — How Many Times Do We Fall for It?

Here’s the pattern if you haven’t noticed:

• NFTs

• Crypto

• Dropshipping

• E-books

• Affiliate marketing

• Streaming

• Podcasting

• Metaverse

Every one of these was "the future."
Some still have merit. Some made a few people millionaires.
Most?
Saturated, complicated, slow to monetize — or left people burning through cash chasing dreams that never materialized.

AI will change the world. No question.
But it won’t magically save your business if your coaching fundamentals are shaky.
You can be cautiously optimistic about new tech, without betting the farm on it.

The Real Play for Coaches: Leverage Without Losing Focus

If you’re serious about longevity as a personal trainer — especially online — the winning move is this:

• Stay rooted in your core skillset: coaching, communication, problem-solving for humans

• Learn enough about AI to enhance, not replace: marketing, admin, creative work, client systems

• Adapt without abandoning your lane: use AI tools to be faster, sharper, better — not to try and become a tech startup founder overnight

AI can be a weapon. But it’s not the war.
Your relationships, your reputation, and your real-world results are still your biggest assets.
Protect them. Sharpen them. Use AI as an ally, not a crutch.

Final Thought: Balance Over Extremes

In almost every new trend, the people who win aren’t the ones who dismiss it, or the ones who blindly sprint into it.
It’s the people who stay calm, adapt wisely, and build incrementally.

Stay cautiously optimistic. Stay focused on your craft. And remember: you’re not a robot.
You’re a human coach, solving human problems.
No AI can replace that.