I Swapped My Fitness Coach for AI – With Great Results.
Leah Walsh
After a holiday period filled with rich foods and relaxation, numerous individuals head into the new year looking to regain their fitness momentum.
But, could AI be changing the fitness industry by offering an option to personal trainers?
Personalized Plans and Adaptable Timelines
Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for impromptu training for the a major running event.
This young woman from Aberdare explained she appreciated the freedom to pose queries any time of day – a feature she believed was not possible with a personal trainer.
She used an AI-powered running app that gave her customized schedules with audio coaching and pace setting for her first half marathon in 2024.
She explained she requested it to design a regimen combining cardio and the weight training, and it generated an 11-week programme customized to her race date and objectives.
Leah then adjusted the plan to suit her lifestyle, which she described was highly practical.
The following year, she opted for a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could consult it whenever she wanted. She finished a full minute quicker than her goal time.
She noted she did not want feeling pressure from a live instructor.
"With AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she added.
A weightlifter
Significant Fitness Gains
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in Swansea, has been using artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has never felt stronger, increasing his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
He turned to a AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a race.
"I realized I need to get myself in shape," he said.
This no-cost application built a workout and diet plan tailored to his aims, and established structured routines.
"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.
The Expense Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Training
One recent survey in late 2024 compared prices for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, for basic full-access plans.
Prices started at a lower price at the most affordable provider to £132 at the highest-priced.
Based on industry research, personal trainers set their own rates, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about £45-£65 in the capital.
Customers will often hire a trainer one or two times a week and work with them for a few months, but these agreements are often adaptable.
A personal trainer
The Essential Personal Touch
Fitness coach one experienced professional, from Cardiff, said AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and accountability that live training provides.
The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a coach, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He mentioned a number of his trainees also employ technology.
"In my opinion it's very valuable, additional information is good," he stated.
"I think the more people are online the more they'll desire human connection because they crave the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a computer," he continued.
The trainer explained AI can educate users and make coaching more efficient.
However, he argued true dedication comes when people appear physically for training.
"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 suggested, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.
