I successfully Replaced My Own Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Working.
A runner
After a festive period filled with rich foods and downtime, many people enter January looking to get their fitness back on track.
But, is it possible that AI be transforming the world of exercise by providing an option to personal trainers?
Personalized Plans and Adaptable Timelines
One fitness enthusiast employed an artificial intelligence application for impromptu training for the a major running event.
This young woman hailing from Aberdare said she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – something she believed was not possible with a personal trainer.
She relied on an AI-driven fitness application that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in 2024.
She explained she asked it to create a regimen merging cardio and the gym, and it generated an 11-week plan customized to her race date and goals.
The user then adjusted the schedule to suit her daily routine, which she described was convenient.
The following year, she opted for a different tool 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 feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.
"Using artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she added.
Richard Gallimore
Remarkable Fitness Improvements
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
Richard turned to a bot for help after being forced to walk a race.
"I realized I need to get myself in shape," he commented.
The free tool built a fitness and meal program personalized to his goals, and created structured routines.
"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.
The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Conventional Training
A recent survey in the previous year compared costs for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the average membership cost was around £38 per month, for standard full-access plans.
Fees ranged from a lower price at the most affordable provider to a premium rate at the most expensive.
Based on further data, personal trainers determine their own fees, typically £30-£65 per hour-long session outside London and about £45-£65 in the capital.
Clients will often use a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, but these arrangements are often adaptable.
A personal trainer
The Essential Human Touch
Personal trainer one experienced professional, 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 12 years experience as a coach, focuses on senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said some of his trainees also employ technology.
"In my opinion it's extremely useful, more knowledge is positive," he said.
"I think the more people are connected digitally the more they'll want human connection because they want the empathy from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he added.
Dafydd explained AI can inform users and make guidance more effective.
However, he said real commitment comes when people appear physically for training.
"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," he added.
In the view of many, he suggested, the fitness center is a place to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.
