I successfully Replaced My Fitness Coach for Artificial Intelligence – And It's Working.
A runner
Following a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals head into January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.
However, could AI be transforming the fitness industry by offering an alternative to personal trainers?
Tailored Plans and Adaptable Schedules
Leah Walsh employed an artificial intelligence application for last-minute 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 traditional coach.
Leah used an AI-powered running app that gave her personalised plans with audio coaching and speed targets for her first half marathon in 2024.
She said she asked it to create a plan combining cardio and the gym, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her event day and objectives.
The user then adjusted the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.
Subsequently, she chose a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could consult it whenever she wanted. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.
She noted she did not want the pressure from a live instructor.
"With AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.
Richard Gallimore
Remarkable Strength Gains
Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, from a Welsh city, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from a lower weight to 110kg.
Richard resorted to a AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a running event.
"I just knew I had to sort myself out," he said.
This no-cost application built a workout and diet plan personalized to his goals, and established structured routines.
"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he added.
The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Coaching
A recent study in the previous year compared prices for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, for standard full-access plans.
Fees ranged from a lower price at the cheapest chain to £132 at the highest-priced.
According to further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session outside London and about £45-£65 in the capital.
Clients will often hire a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, but these arrangements are often adaptable.
A personal trainer
The Essential Human Element
Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, said artificial intelligence can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the human connection and accountability that in-person coaching offers.
This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his clients also employ AI.
"I think it's very valuable, additional information is good," he stated.
"I believe the more that people are online the more they'll desire personal contact because they crave the empathy from the comprehension that is absent from a computer," he added.
The trainer said AI can educate clients and make coaching more efficient.
However, he argued real commitment comes when people show up in person for their sessions.
"As useful as it is at 2am, 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.