I Swapped My Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Working.
A runner
Following a holiday period packed with rich foods and relaxation, numerous individuals head into January looking to get their fitness back on track.
However, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be transforming the world of exercise by offering an option to personal trainers?
Personalized Programs and Adaptable Schedules
Leah Walsh used an artificial intelligence application for impromptu preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare explained she liked the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – something she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.
Leah relied on an AI-driven running app that gave her customized schedules with audio coaching and pace setting for her inaugural half marathon in 2024.
She said she requested it to create a regimen merging running and the weight training, and it produced an 11-week plan tailored to her event day and objectives.
The user then tweaked the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.
Subsequently, she chose a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could consult it at any time. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.
She said she did not want feeling pressure from a live instructor.
"With AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.
A weightlifter
Significant Fitness Improvements
Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in Swansea, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
Richard turned to a bot for assistance after being unable to run a running event.
"I realized I had to sort myself out," he commented.
The free tool built a workout and diet plan tailored to his aims, and established organized workouts.
"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.
The Expense Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Training
A recent survey in late 2024 analyzed prices for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, based on basic full-access plans.
Prices ranged from £23 at the most affordable provider to £132 at the highest-priced.
According to further data, fitness coaches set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute appointment in most areas and about a similar range in the capital.
Clients typically use a trainer one or two times a week and work with them for a short period, but these arrangements are completely flexible.
Dafydd Judd
The Essential Personal Touch
Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that live training provides.
This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on senior clients and recovery from injuries. He mentioned a number of his clients also employ AI.
"I think it's extremely useful, additional information is good," he stated.
"I think the more that people are online the more they'll desire human connection because they crave the warmth from the comprehension that is missing from a computer," he continued.
The trainer explained Artificial intelligence can inform clients and make coaching more efficient.
However, he said true dedication comes when people appear physically for their sessions.
"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," Dafydd added.
For many, he said, the gym is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.
