I successfully Swapped My Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Effective.
A runner
Following a holiday period packed with rich foods and relaxation, many people enter January looking to regain their fitness momentum.
However, could AI be changing the fitness industry by offering an option to personal trainers?
Personalized Plans and Adaptable Schedules
One fitness enthusiast used an AI tool for last-minute training for the a major running event.
This young woman from Aberdare said she appreciated the freedom to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.
She relied on an AI-driven running app that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural half marathon in 2024.
She explained she asked it to design a regimen combining running and the gym, and it produced an 11-week plan tailored to her event day and goals.
The user then tweaked the schedule to suit her daily routine, which she described was highly practical.
The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could consult it at any time. Her result was a minute faster than her goal time.
She noted she wanted to avoid the pressure from a live instructor.
"With artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she added.
A weightlifter
Remarkable Strength Improvements
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, from Swansea, has been using artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
He turned to a AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a running event.
"I realized I need to get myself in shape," he said.
The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan personalized to his goals, and established organized workouts.
"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a real difference," he added.
The Cost Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional Training
One recent study in the previous year compared costs for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, based on basic full-access plans.
Fees ranged from £23 at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.
Based on industry research, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically £30-£65 per 45-60 minute session outside London and about a similar range in the capital.
Clients typically use a trainer once or twice a week and work with them for a short period, but these agreements are completely flexible.
Dafydd Judd
The Essential Human Element
Fitness coach one experienced professional, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the human connection and accountability that live training provides.
This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his clients also use technology.
"In my opinion it's very valuable, more knowledge is positive," he stated.
"I think the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll want personal contact because they want the warmth from the comprehension that is absent from a computer," he added.
The trainer explained Artificial intelligence can educate users and make coaching more efficient.
However, he said real commitment comes when people show up in person for training.
"As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he added.
For many, he suggested, the gym is a place to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.
