I Exchanged My Own Personal Trainer for AI – And It's Effective.
A runner
After a holiday period packed with rich foods and downtime, many people enter the new year aiming to get their fitness back on track.
But, could AI be changing the fitness industry by offering an option to human coaches?
Tailored Programs and Flexible Schedules
Leah Walsh employed an artificial intelligence application for last-minute preparation for the a major running event.
This young woman hailing from a town in Wales said she liked the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she felt was unavailable with a personal trainer.
She relied on an AI-powered fitness application that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in 2024.
She said she asked it to create a regimen combining cardio and the gym, and it produced an 11-week programme customized to her race date and objectives.
The user then tweaked the plan to suit her daily routine, which she said was highly practical.
The following year, she opted for a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a full minute quicker than her goal time.
She noted she wanted to avoid feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.
"Using AI you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she added.
Richard Gallimore
Significant Strength Gains
In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, based in a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench 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 personalized to his aims, and created organized workouts.
"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he said.
The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Training
A recent survey in the previous year compared costs for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, for basic full-access plans.
Prices ranged from a lower price at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.
Based on industry research, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically £30-£65 per 45-60 minute appointment in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.
Clients will often hire a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, however these arrangements are completely flexible.
Dafydd Judd
The Irreplaceable Human Element
Personal trainer one experienced professional, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be useful to accelerate results, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and accountability that in-person coaching provides.
The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned a number of his trainees also employ technology.
"I think it's extremely useful, additional information is good," he stated.
"I believe the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll desire human connection because they want the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a machine," he added.
Dafydd said Artificial intelligence can inform clients and make coaching more effective.
But, he said real commitment comes when people show up physically for their sessions.
"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd added.
In the view of many, he said, the fitness center is a place to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.
