I successfully Swapped My Own Fitness Coach for Artificial Intelligence – And It's Effective.
A runner
Following a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals head into the new year looking to regain their fitness momentum.
However, could AI be transforming the fitness industry by offering an alternative to human coaches?
Personalized Programs and Flexible Schedules
One fitness enthusiast employed an AI tool for last-minute training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
This young woman from Aberdare explained she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.
Leah relied on an AI-driven running app that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her first half marathon in 2024.
She said she requested it to create a regimen merging cardio and the weight training, and it produced an multi-week plan tailored to her race date and objectives.
The user then tweaked the plan to suit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.
The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her target finish.
She noted she wanted to avoid feeling pressure from a live instructor.
"Using artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she remarked.
A weightlifter
Remarkable Fitness Improvements
Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in Swansea, has been using artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
He resorted to a bot for help after being unable to run a race.
"I realized I had to sort myself out," he said.
The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan tailored to his goals, and created organized workouts.
"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.
The Cost Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Coaching
One recent survey in the previous year analyzed prices for numerous of the biggest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, for basic full-access plans.
Prices started at £23 at the cheapest chain to £132 at the highest-priced.
According to further data, personal trainers set their own rates, usually £30-£65 per 45-60 minute session outside London and about a similar range in the capital.
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 Touch
Personal trainer one experienced professional, based in the Welsh capital, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to accelerate results, but believes it will not supplant the human connection and accountability that live training provides.
The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He mentioned some of his trainees also use AI.
"In my opinion it's very valuable, additional information is good," he said.
"I think the more people are connected digitally the more they'll desire human connection because they crave the warmth from the understanding that is missing from a machine," he added.
Dafydd said Artificial intelligence can educate clients and make guidance more efficient.
But, he said true dedication comes when people appear in person for training.
"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," he added.
For many, he said, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.