I successfully Exchanged My Own Personal Trainer for AI – And It's Working.
Leah Walsh
After a festive period packed with rich foods and relaxation, numerous individuals head into January looking to get their fitness back on track.
But, could AI be changing the world of exercise by offering an option to human coaches?
Tailored Programs and Adaptable Timelines
One fitness enthusiast employed an AI tool for last-minute training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
This young woman from Aberdare explained she liked the liberty to pose queries any time of day – a feature she felt was unavailable with a traditional coach.
Leah used an AI-driven fitness application that provided her customized schedules with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural half marathon in recent years.
She said she asked it to design a regimen combining running and the weight training, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her race date and goals.
Leah then adjusted the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.
The following year, she chose a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her target finish.
She said she wanted to avoid the pressure from a human personal trainer.
"Using AI you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she remarked.
A weightlifter
Remarkable Fitness Improvements
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
He turned to a bot for assistance after being forced to walk a race.
"I just knew I had to sort myself out," he said.
This no-cost application built a fitness and meal program tailored to his goals, and established structured routines.
"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he added.
The Expense Contrast: AI vs. Conventional Training
One recent study in the previous year analyzed costs for 17 of the biggest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, for standard memberships.
Prices started at a lower price at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.
Based on further data, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically £30-£65 per hour-long session 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 often adaptable.
Dafydd Judd
The Essential Human Element
Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be useful to speed up progress, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that in-person coaching provides.
The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in older adults and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned a number of his trainees also use AI.
"In my opinion it's extremely useful, more knowledge is good," he said.
"I believe the more that people are online the more they'll want human connection because they crave the warmth from the comprehension that is missing from a machine," he added.
Dafydd said Artificial intelligence 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 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he added.
For many, he suggested, the fitness center is a place to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.
