I successfully Exchanged My Own Fitness Coach for AI – With Great Results.
Leah Walsh
After a holiday period filled with rich foods and relaxation, many people enter January looking to get their fitness back on track.
But, is it possible that AI be changing the fitness industry by providing an alternative to human coaches?
Personalized Plans and Adaptable Timelines
One fitness enthusiast used an artificial intelligence application for impromptu training for the a major running event.
The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales said 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 provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.
She explained she asked it to design a plan merging running and the weight training, and it generated an 11-week programme tailored to her event day and objectives.
Leah then adjusted the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she said was convenient.
Subsequently, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it at any time. Her result was a full minute quicker than her target finish.
She noted she did not want the pressure from a live instructor.
"Using artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she added.
A weightlifter
Significant Strength Improvements
In a similar case, Another individual, 23, from Swansea, has been employing artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
He resorted to a AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a race.
"I just knew I need to sort myself out," he said.
This no-cost application constructed a fitness and meal program 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 Cost Contrast: AI vs. Conventional Training
One recent survey in late 2024 analyzed prices for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, for standard full-access plans.
Fees started at £23 at the most affordable 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 45-60 minute session outside London and about £45-£65 in London.
Clients typically use a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, however these arrangements are often adaptable.
A personal trainer
The Essential Human Element
Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be useful to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and accountability that live training offers.
The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his clients also employ AI.
"I think it's extremely useful, more knowledge is good," he stated.
"I think the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll want human connection because they crave the empathy from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he continued.
The trainer said AI can inform clients and make coaching more efficient.
But, he said true dedication comes when people show up in person for training.
"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he added.
For many, he suggested, the gym is a place to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.
