I Exchanged My Own Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Working.
Leah Walsh
After a festive period filled with rich foods and downtime, many people head into the new year aiming to get their fitness back on track.
But, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be transforming the fitness industry by providing an alternative to human coaches?
Personalized Programs and Adaptable Schedules
Leah Walsh used an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 21-year-old from Aberdare said she liked the freedom to pose queries any time of day – a feature she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.
Leah relied on an AI-powered fitness application that gave her customized schedules with audio coaching and speed targets for her first long-distance race in 2024.
She explained she asked it to create a regimen combining cardio and the weight training, and it generated an 11-week programme tailored to her race date and goals.
Leah then tweaked the schedule to fit her daily routine, which she described was convenient.
The following year, she opted for a alternative application 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 motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.
A weightlifter
Significant Fitness Improvements
Meanwhile, Another individual, in his twenties, from Swansea, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
Richard resorted to a bot for assistance after being forced to walk a running event.
"I realized I had to get myself in shape," he commented.
The free tool built a fitness and meal program tailored to his goals, and created organized workouts.
"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he said.
The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Conventional Training
One recent survey in the previous year compared prices for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was around £38 per month, based on standard memberships.
Fees ranged from £23 at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.
Based on industry research, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute appointment outside London and about a similar range in London.
Clients will often use a trainer once or twice a week and work with them for a short period, however these agreements are completely flexible.
A personal trainer
The Irreplaceable Human Touch
Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will never replace the personal interaction and accountability that live training offers.
The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, specialises in older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned a number of his trainees also employ AI.
"In my opinion it's extremely useful, additional information is good," he stated.
"I think the more people are connected digitally the more they'll want personal contact because they crave the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a machine," he continued.
Dafydd said AI can inform clients and make guidance more effective.
But, he said true dedication comes when people show up in person for their sessions.
"As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he added.
In the view of many, he said, the gym is a space to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.
