Why Generic Fitness Programs Will Never Work (And What Actually Does)

Why Generic Fitness Programs Never Work – What Actually Does

Why personalised coaching beats apps, PDFs, and cookie-cutter routines every single time

In the age of fitness apps, downloadable workout PDFs, and flashy online “6-week transformations,” it’s easy to believe that the perfect fitness solution is just one click away. Convenient? Sure. Effective? Rarely. Safe? …often not.

After 27 years of working with real bodies, real injuries, and real goals, I can confidently say this:
Generic fitness programs will never give you the long-term results you’re looking for.
In fact, they may even set you back.

Let’s break down why—so you can avoid the frustration, the wasted money, and the potential injuries.

1. Generic Fitness Plans Don’t Know You

Fitness apps love to tell you they’re “personalised.” Translation?
They asked for your age, maybe your height, then fired out a copy-and-paste plan.

But real people aren’t algorithms. Real bodies come with:

Old injuries
Muscle imbalances
Postural issues
Hormonal challenges
Stress load
Sleep disruption
Unique biomechanics
Different fitness histories

A PDF can’t assess your spine.
An app can’t spot a weak glute causing knee pain.
A mass-produced program doesn’t know your stress level, your posture, or your injury history.

And that’s why people often end up calling me afterwards—with back pain, shoulder issues, aggravated injuries, or simply no progress.

2. “One-Size-Fits-All” = “One-Size-Fits-No-One”

A workout designed for thousands of random users will never meet the needs of an individual.

Think about it:

Someone with a herniated disc can’t follow the same program as someone with hypermobility.
Someone with thyroid complications needs a different intensity, volume, and recovery plan.
Someone working 14-hour days can’t train like someone with unlimited time.

Your programme must match your life, not someone else’s.

3. Injury Risk is MASSIVELY Higher With Generic Plans

This is the part the fitness app won’t tell you—because it kills their marketing.

When a workout isn’t built for your structure, mobility, or joint health, it can cause problems fast:

Overuse injuries
Tendon pain
Lower back strain
Shoulder impingement
Knee issues
Stress overload

People often blame themselves—“I guess I didn’t do it right.”
But the truth is: you were given the wrong program.

4. Apps and PDFs Are Built for Profit, Not People

Let’s be honest:
Most generic fitness programs are designed to scale, not to care.

Mass-market routines
No assessments
No coaching
No accountability
No correction
No adaptation as your body changes

They don’t adjust your plan when you’re injured, stressed, or exhausted.
They don’t celebrate your wins.
They don’t guide your mindset.
They don’t track your biomechanics.

But a real coach does.

5. The Human Body Is a System of Systems

You are not a machine with an “ON/OFF” switch.
You’re a complex network of:

Muscles
Joints
Organs
Hormones
Emotions
Thoughts
Sleep cycles
Stress responses

A proper program must consider the whole person. That’s what I do, and it’s why clients finally get the results they couldn’t achieve with generic plans.

6. What Personalised Training Actually Looks Like

A bespoke programme includes:

✔ Full assessment of posture and movement

Before prescribing a single exercise, I look at how your body behaves.

✔ Injury history & lifestyle analysis

Workload, stress, sleep, nutrition, habits—all of it matters.

✔ Tailored workouts for your current level

Not too hard, not too easy—just right.

✔ Ongoing adjustments

Your program evolves as your body adapts.

✔ Support, accountability & clarity

You’re never guessing what to do or worrying if you’re doing it wrong.

This is the approach I’ve refined over 27 years of coaching.

7. What You Should Remember Before Using a Fitness App

Next time you’re tempted to click “download,” keep this in mind:

Generic programs only produce generic results.
There is no app smarter than a personal assessment.
Your body deserves more than a template workout.
You’re a unique human being—not a data point.

If you want real results, you need a personalised strategy built around your body, your mind, and your goals.

Here are some of Scotts blog you will like.

Ready for a Bespoke Program That Actually Works?

If you’re tired of guessing, struggling, or getting injured by generic online workouts, let’s change that.

I design programmes that look at everything—physical, mental, emotional, and lifestyle factors—to get you the outcome you’ve been chasing.

Why Generic Fitness Programs Will Never Work For Fitness Program