I Swapped My Own Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Working.
Leah Walsh
After a festive period packed with rich foods and relaxation, many people enter January looking to get their fitness back on track.
But, could Artificial Intelligence be transforming the world of exercise by offering an alternative to human coaches?
Personalized Programs and Adaptable Schedules
One fitness enthusiast employed an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare said she liked the liberty to pose queries at all hours – a feature she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.
She relied on an AI-powered running app that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural long-distance race in 2024.
She said she requested it to create a regimen merging running and the weight training, and it produced an 11-week programme tailored to her event day and goals.
The user then tweaked the plan to suit her daily routine, which she said was convenient.
The following year, she opted for a different tool 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 did not want the pressure from a live instructor.
"With AI you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she remarked.
A weightlifter
Significant Fitness Improvements
Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, from a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from a lower weight to 110kg.
He turned to a AI assistant for assistance after being forced to walk a race.
"I just knew I need to sort myself out," he commented.
The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan personalized to his aims, and created structured routines.
"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.
The Cost Comparison: Technology vs. Traditional Training
A recent survey in the previous year analyzed prices for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, based on standard memberships.
Prices ranged from £23 at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.
Based on industry research, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.
Customers will often use a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, but these agreements are often adaptable.
Dafydd Judd
The Irreplaceable Personal Element
Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will never replace the personal interaction and accountability that in-person coaching offers.
The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned some of his trainees also employ AI.
"In my opinion it's extremely useful, additional information is positive," he stated.
"I believe the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll want human connection because they want the warmth from the comprehension that is missing from a computer," he added.
The trainer said AI can educate clients and make guidance more efficient.
But, he argued real commitment comes when people appear in person for training.
"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," Dafydd concluded.
In the view of many, he said, the fitness center is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.
