Victor Martinez Says AI Would Have Made Him a Better Bodybuilder During His Prime…but Can’t Replace Everything
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the fitness industry, with more athletes than ever turning to AI-powered tools for training advice, nutrition plans, and workout programming. While many coaches argue that AI can never replace hands-on guidance, bodybuilding legend Victor Martinez says AI would have made him a better bodybuilder during his prime.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, Martinez admitted that AI would have simplified many aspects of contest prep, helping him spend less time overthinking his diet and training while allowing him to focus on what he did best: working hard in the gym.
Victor Martinez Believes AI Could Have Simplified Contest Prep
During a discussion about whether fitness apps are losing popularity in the age of artificial intelligence, Martinez acknowledged that AI has dramatically changed how people search for fitness information.
Instead of relying on subscription-based fitness apps, many gymgoers can now ask platforms like ChatGPT detailed questions about training, nutrition, recovery, and workout programming, receiving personalized answers almost instantly.
While Martinez stressed that dedication remains the deciding factor in bodybuilding success, he admitted AI could have been a valuable tool during his rise through the IFBB ranks.
“If I had AI back when I started, I probably would have done better because you already know how to kind of push yourself. So you’ll follow at least the diet that you didn’t want to overthink about.”
For Martinez, AI isn’t a shortcut to success. Instead, it’s a way to eliminate guesswork. An athlete who already possesses the discipline to train relentlessly can use AI to organize workouts, fine-tune nutrition, and make more informed decisions without spending hours researching every aspect of bodybuilding.
That combination of instant information and unwavering work ethic, Martinez believes, could have made an already successful career even stronger.
Why Victor Martinez Doesn’t Believe AI Can Replace Great Coaches
Despite praising AI’s potential benefits, Martinez made it clear that he doesn’t believe technology will ever replace an experienced bodybuilding coach.
According to Martinez, one-on-one coaching remains invaluable because a knowledgeable trainer can evaluate physique changes in real time, adjust training and nutrition based on progress, improve exercise execution, and provide the accountability that software simply can’t match.
“I think better than one-on-one trainer, especially if the trainer knows what he’s doing.”
He added that while AI can generate information, it cannot observe an athlete’s physique or provide the personal motivation that often separates good competitors from great ones.
“AI is not going to assess your physique.”
Martinez argued that bodybuilding has always been about more than information. The internet already contains countless training and nutrition resources, but applying that knowledge consistently still requires discipline, experience, and personal accountability.
“People are going to stick to the apps and the AI… it’s just the world evolving. Can’t stop that.”
As artificial intelligence continues reshaping the fitness landscape, Martinez believes it will become another useful tool for athletes, but not a replacement for experienced coaching.
