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

Leah Walsh

After a holiday period filled with rich foods and downtime, numerous individuals enter the new year looking to get their fitness back on track.

However, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be changing the fitness industry by offering an alternative to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Adaptable Timelines

Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman from a town in Wales explained she liked the freedom to pose queries at all hours – something she felt was not possible with a traditional coach.

Leah relied on 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 explained she asked it to design a regimen combining running and the gym, and it generated an multi-week plan customized to her event day and objectives.

Leah then tweaked the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she said was convenient.

The following year, she opted for a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a full minute quicker than her goal time.

She said she wanted to avoid feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.

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

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Strength Improvements

Meanwhile, Another individual, in his twenties, based in a Welsh city, has been using artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.

Richard resorted to a bot for help after being unable to run a race.

"I realized I had to get myself in shape," he said.

The free tool built a fitness and meal program personalized 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 Expense Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Coaching

One recent study in late 2024 compared costs for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, for standard memberships.

Prices started at £23 at the most affordable provider to £132 at the highest-priced.

According to industry research, fitness coaches set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session outside London and about £45-£65 in London.

Clients will often hire a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, but these agreements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Touch

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that in-person coaching provides.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned some of his clients also employ AI.

"In my opinion it's extremely useful, more knowledge is positive," he said.

"I believe the more people are online the more they'll desire personal contact because they crave the empathy from the understanding that is missing from a machine," he added.

Dafydd said AI can educate clients and make coaching more efficient.

However, he argued true dedication comes when people show up in person for training.

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," Dafydd concluded.

In the view of many, he said, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.