I successfully Exchanged My Own 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 AI be changing the world of exercise by providing an alternative to human coaches?
Tailored Plans and Flexible Timelines
One fitness enthusiast employed an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 21-year-old from Aberdare explained she liked the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she felt was unavailable with a personal trainer.
Leah used an AI-powered running app that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her first long-distance race in 2024.
She explained she requested it to design a regimen combining running and the gym, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her event day and goals.
Leah then tweaked the plan to suit her lifestyle, which she described was highly practical.
Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her target finish.
She said she wanted to avoid feeling pressure from a live instructor.
"Using AI you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she added.
Richard Gallimore
Significant Strength Gains
Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in Swansea, has been using artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.
He turned to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a race.
"I realized I had to get myself in shape," he said.
The free tool built a workout and diet plan personalized to his goals, and established organized workouts.
"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he said.
The Cost Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Training
A recent study in the previous year analyzed costs for numerous of the largest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee 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 most expensive.
Based on further data, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about a similar range in the capital.
Clients will often hire a coach one or two times a week and work with them for a few months, however these agreements are often adaptable.
A personal trainer
The Essential Human Element
Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, based in the Welsh capital, acknowledged AI can be useful to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and responsibility that in-person coaching offers.
This expert, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned a number of his trainees also employ technology.
"In my opinion it's very valuable, more knowledge is good," he stated.
"I believe the more that people are online the more they'll desire personal contact because they crave the warmth from the comprehension that is absent from a machine," he continued.
The trainer explained AI can educate users and make coaching more effective.
But, he argued real commitment comes when people appear physically for training.
"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he concluded.
In the view of many, he said, the gym is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.
