I successfully Exchanged My Own Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Working.
Leah Walsh
After a festive period packed with indulgent treats and downtime, many people enter January looking to get their fitness back on track.
But, could AI be changing the world of exercise by providing an option to human coaches?
Personalized Plans and Flexible Schedules
Leah Walsh used an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare said she liked the freedom to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.
She relied on an AI-powered fitness application that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural half marathon in recent years.
She said she asked it to create a plan combining cardio and the weight training, and it produced an 11-week programme customized to her event day and objectives.
The user then tweaked the schedule to suit her lifestyle, which she described was highly practical.
The following year, she opted for a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her target finish.
She noted she wanted to avoid the pressure from a human personal trainer.
"With artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.
Richard Gallimore
Remarkable Strength Gains
Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been employing artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has never felt stronger, increasing his chest press from 70kg to a much heavier load.
He resorted to a AI assistant for assistance after being forced to walk a race.
"I realized I had to get myself in shape," he commented.
The free tool constructed a fitness and meal program personalized to his aims, and established organized workouts.
"I work out for about two hours a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.
The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional Coaching
One recent survey in late 2024 analyzed costs for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, for standard full-access plans.
Prices ranged from £23 at the most affordable provider to a premium rate at the most expensive.
According to further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute appointment outside London and about £45-£65 in London.
Customers will often hire a coach one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, however these agreements are completely flexible.
Dafydd Judd
The Irreplaceable Human Element
Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged AI can be useful to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and accountability that in-person coaching provides.
This expert, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his trainees also employ technology.
"In my opinion it's very valuable, more knowledge is positive," he stated.
"I think the more people are connected digitally the more they'll want human connection because they crave the warmth from the comprehension that is missing from a machine," he added.
Dafydd explained AI can inform clients and make coaching more effective.
But, he said true dedication comes when people show up in person for their sessions.
"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he added.
In the view of many, he said, the fitness center is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.
