I Replaced My Own Fitness Coach for Artificial Intelligence – With Great Results.

Leah Walsh

After a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

But, is it possible that AI be changing the fitness industry by offering an alternative to human coaches?

Tailored Plans and Flexible Schedules

One fitness enthusiast used an artificial intelligence application for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales said she appreciated the freedom to pose queries at all hours – a feature she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.

She used an AI-driven running app that provided her customized schedules with voice guidance and speed targets for her first long-distance race in 2024.

She said she requested it to design a plan combining running and the gym, and it generated an multi-week programme tailored to her race date and goals.

The user then tweaked the plan to suit her lifestyle, which she said was convenient.

Subsequently, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a full minute quicker than her target finish.

She noted she wanted to avoid the pressure from a live instructor.

"Using artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she remarked.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Fitness Improvements

Meanwhile, Another individual, in his twenties, from Swansea, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has never felt stronger, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to 110kg.

Richard turned to a bot for assistance after being unable to run a running event.

"I realized I need to sort myself out," he commented.

This no-cost application constructed a fitness and meal program tailored to his aims, and created structured routines.

"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.

The Cost Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Training

A recent study in the previous year analyzed costs for 17 of the biggest gym brands and found the average membership cost was around £38 a month, for standard full-access plans.

Prices ranged from a lower price at the cheapest chain to £132 at the highest-priced.

Based on further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually £30-£65 per hour-long session in most areas and about a similar range in London.

Clients typically use a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, but these agreements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Element

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and responsibility that live training provides.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said some of his trainees also use AI.

"I think it's extremely useful, additional information is good," he stated.

"I believe the more people are connected digitally the more they'll desire human connection because they want the empathy from the understanding that is missing from a machine," he added.

Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence 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 cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," Dafydd added.

For many, he said, the fitness center is a space to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.