I Swapped My Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Effective.
Leah Walsh
After a holiday period packed with rich foods and downtime, numerous individuals enter the new year looking to get their fitness back on track.
However, is it possible that AI be changing the world of exercise by providing an alternative to personal trainers?
Tailored Programs and Flexible Schedules
Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for impromptu training for the a major running event.
This young woman hailing from a town in Wales said she liked the freedom to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.
Leah used an AI-powered fitness application that provided her personalised plans with audio coaching and pace setting for her first half marathon in recent years.
She explained she asked it to create a plan combining cardio and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week programme tailored to her event day and objectives.
The user then tweaked the schedule to fit her daily routine, which she described was highly practical.
The following year, she chose a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her target finish.
She said she did not want the pressure from a live instructor.
"With artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she added.
A weightlifter
Remarkable Strength Improvements
Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, from a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from 70kg to 110kg.
Richard turned to a AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a running event.
"I realized I had to sort myself out," he commented.
This no-cost application built a fitness and meal program personalized to his goals, and established organized workouts.
"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.
The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional Coaching
One recent study in late 2024 analyzed prices for numerous of the largest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was around £38 per month, for standard memberships.
Fees ranged from £23 at the cheapest chain to £132 at the most expensive.
Based on industry research, fitness coaches set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session in most areas and about £45-£65 in the capital.
Clients will often hire a trainer one or two times a week and work with them for a short period, but these agreements are completely flexible.
Dafydd Judd
The Irreplaceable Personal Touch
Personal trainer one experienced professional, based in Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be useful to accelerate results, but believes it will not supplant the human connection and responsibility that live training provides.
This expert, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned a number of his trainees also use technology.
"In my opinion it's very valuable, additional information is positive," he stated.
"I believe the more people are online the more they'll desire personal contact because they want the warmth from the comprehension that is missing from a machine," he continued.
Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can inform clients and make coaching more effective.
But, he said real commitment comes when people show up physically for their sessions.
"As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he added.
In the view of many, he said, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.
