People are using Google Gemini for workouts — I’m a personal trainer, and here’s what happened when I tried it | Tom's Guide

I asked Google Gemini to help me grow full-body muscle.

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I’m a bit old school when it comes to training and haven’t embraced AI like some of my colleagues in the industry.

That said, the other week, I overheard an instructor mention using Google Gemini to program a progressive strength program for a client. While this doesn’t sit right with me personally, it did pique my curiosity.

And when I get curious, I investigate. I decided to ask Gemini a simple question — “Can you build me a five-move dumbbell workout. I’m a personal trainer and experienced with strength training.”

I kept it deliberately semi-vague to see how in-depth Gemini might go with the response, and how creative it could be off the cuff. Here’s exactly what I was given, and my verdict as a trainer. Coaching cap firmly on, this is what I really think.

“Here's a five-move full-body dumbbell workout designed for an experienced individual like yourself,” Gemini tells me. Thanks, Gemini.

“This workout provides a solid foundation for a full-body session using just dumbbells. You can adjust the rest times between sets (e.g., 60-90 seconds) based on your conditioning and the intensity of the weights used.”

It even asked me if I wanted modifications or another type of workout.

Here’s what Gemini programmed:

In the video above, we demonstrate with a barbell. Simply replace with dumbbells and perform the same movement pattern.

I kept it vague, but I was still slightly disappointed that Gemini went very basic with the routine, despite my sharing that I am a personal trainer who is very familiar with strength training.

The exercises above are great dumbbell moves to include in your routine, but I would put this routine down as a beginner-friendly dumbbell workout if you’re just starting out in the gym.

Gemini also kept it basic when referring to the target muscles, failing to mention the full array of muscles working, including some stabilizer muscles. That’s fine if you’re just looking for an overview — a legs or chest routine, for example — but not if you actually want the detail of your training regime and full range of benefits.

For example, the Romanian deadlift targets the erector spinae muscles of the lower back, which stabilize the spine isometrically (without flexion or extension). Secondary muscles include the adductors and some muscles that create stability, like the traps, core and rhomboids.

If you plan to program your workouts using Gemini or ChatGPT, remember that AI can’t replace a personal trainer or physiotherapist.

But it’s not all doom and gloom — Gemini picked compound exercises, making the routine efficient by using a traditional resistance style of training that can help you grow muscle over time. It provides sets and reps, and hits all major muscle groups.

Although Gemini doesn’t provide a warm-up or cool-down routine (to be fair, I didn’t ask), it does tell me to remember one. And also encourages me to adjust the weights to be challenging without losing form. Sound advice.

Gemini even tells me that adjustable dumbbells can help me switch between moves more easily — perfect timing for a set of the best adjustable dumbbells.

Did I expect a bit more detail about the movements, why they've been programmed and how I can scale them? yes. Do I have the right to be disappointed? Probably not. But the reason I kept it vague was that some people may not know the right questions to ask or the level of detail required for a proper and thorough routine.

If you plan to program your workouts using Gemini or ChatGPT, remember that AI can’t replace a personal trainer or physiotherapist, so you won’t get in-depth injury management, spotting, or adaptations — that’s down to a human touch.

Also, remember, if an exercise doesn’t feel right for you or you experience pain, you should stop and seek medical advice.

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Sam Hopes is a level 3 qualified trainer, a level 2 Reiki practitioner and fitness editor at Tom's Guide. She is also currently undertaking her Yoga For Athletes training course.

Sam has written for various fitness brands and websites over the years and has experience across brands at Future, such as Live Science, Fit&Well, Coach, and T3.

Having coached at fitness studios like F45 and Virgin Active and personal trained, Sam now primarily teaches outdoor bootcamps, bodyweight, calisthenics and kettlebells.

She also coaches mobility and flexibility classes several times a week and believes that true strength comes from a holistic approach to training your body.

Sam has completed two mixed doubles Hyrox competitions in London and the Netherlands and finished her first doubles attempt in 1:11.

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