I Swapped My Own Fitness Coach for Artificial Intelligence – And It's Effective.
Leah Walsh
After a festive period packed with rich foods and downtime, numerous individuals head into the new year looking to regain their fitness momentum.
However, could Artificial Intelligence be changing the fitness industry by offering an alternative to personal trainers?
Personalized Plans and Flexible Timelines
Leah Walsh used an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare said she liked the freedom to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she felt was not possible with a personal trainer.
She used an AI-powered fitness application that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her first half marathon in recent years.
She said she asked it to design a plan combining cardio and the gym, and it generated an 11-week plan tailored to her event day and objectives.
Leah then adjusted the schedule to suit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.
The following year, she opted for a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. She finished 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 motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.
A weightlifter
Significant Fitness Improvements
Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from 70kg to 110kg.
Richard turned to a bot for help after being unable to run a running event.
"I realized I need to get myself in shape," he said.
This no-cost application constructed a fitness and meal program tailored to his aims, and established structured routines.
"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.
The Cost Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional Coaching
A recent study in late 2024 compared costs for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, for standard memberships.
Prices ranged from a lower price at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.
According to further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about £45-£65 in the capital.
Clients typically hire a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, however these arrangements are often adaptable.
Dafydd Judd
The Irreplaceable Personal Element
Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, said AI can be beneficial to accelerate results, but believes it will not supplant the human connection and accountability that live training provides.
This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in older adults and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his trainees also employ AI.
"I think it's very valuable, additional information is positive," he stated.
"I believe the more people are online the more they'll desire human connection because they want the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a machine," he added.
Dafydd explained AI can inform users and make coaching more effective.
But, he said real commitment comes when people appear in person for training.
"As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he added.
In the view of many, he said, the gym is a space to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.
