Biggest Fitbit overhaul coming, but not for everyone (yet)

Google aims to be your bodyguard when it comes to all things health and fitness. The company has begun rolling out a major update to its Fitbit app, with a fresh redesign and a new built-in personal trainer, also known as Coach, powered by Google Gemini Artificial Intelligence – Not for everyone yet. Starting October 28, the new experience will be available to eligible Fitbit Premium users in the US on Android, with a wider rollout planned over time.

As the race intensifies to build smarter, more personalized health platforms, Google is relying on its entire ecosystem of hardware, software, and AI assistants to set Fitbit apart. With the wrist as the central point of data (trans Pixel watch and Fitbit trackers), Google aims to evolve its platform from a passive fitness tracker into a proactive, AI-driven health companion.

What do you expect

Although I haven’t tested the preview version myself yet, Google’s demo suggests a clearer, more intuitive design built around four main tabs: Today, Fitness, Sleep, and Health.

The Today tab, which is what you’ll return to frequently, highlights quick statistics with a stronger focus on weekly trends. Google says this is a more honest reflection of progress compared to the usual daily insights emphasized by other trackers. Other tabs let you drill down into detailed metrics across categories like sleep stages and vitals. This time, the burden of interpreting the data will not fall solely on the user.

There’s a new Coach feature throughout the app, which you can access through the “Ask Coach” prompt. The coach relies on historical and real-time data to help understand your metrics and even turn them into a personal action plan. Google describes it as an “always-on” coach who can answer questions or proactively adjust your plan based on recent activity, preparation, or even life events like travel or missed workouts.

For example, you might ask: “I have 30 minutes to exercise…what do you recommend?” or “How can I improve my VO2 max?” Or even draw links to your own stats with prompts like, “Do I sleep better on days I take more steps?”

During the setup process (optional), you can set goals, record available fitness equipment, and note injuries or limitations. The preview begins with a short 5-10 minute conversation (either via text or voice) to help the AI ​​understand your goals and motivations. From there, the plan dynamically adjusts based on changing metrics like training load, readiness score, and nightly recovery data, keeping everything aligned with your long-term goals.

Participation in the workout trial is optional, so you can still use your Fitbit without AI features if you prefer.

Availability and pricing

The update is rolling out first to people in the United States, ages 18 and older, who subscribe Fitbit Premium ($10 per month or $80 per year) and own a Fitbit or Pixel watch. It will work with the latest Fitbit trackers, smartwatches, and Pixel Watch models. During the preview phase, you can switch between old and new app designs without losing data, allowing for side-by-side comparison and gathering feedback.

Google says user input from this period will be key to shaping the final outcome of the app experience and will have an integrated feedback tool for testers. While the company hasn’t confirmed a specific end date for the preview, it says the trial will expand to include more users and devices over time.

The real test

This redesigned feature and trainer shows serious potential. If it delivers on Google’s promise to provide professional training for everyday users, it could mark a turning point for health tech and could put Google at the front of the pack. The company says the coach experience was developed with input from health experts and a consumer advisory panel, and user data will not be used for Google ads.

But as with everything in the world of AI, implementation will be everything, and the value of a health coach must be compelling enough — and accurate enough — to overcome reluctance to entrust another AI feature with sensitive health data. But the real test is how well Google manages privacy, data security, and usefulness in the real world. This balance can mean the difference between just a repackaged Gemini that most people turn off, and a game-changer that translates your data into action.

For now, it’s a promising preview, but I’ll be testing it first-hand once it’s released.