I successfully Exchanged My Fitness Coach for AI – With Great Results.
Leah Walsh
After a holiday period packed with rich foods and relaxation, numerous individuals enter the new year looking to regain their fitness momentum.
However, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be changing the fitness industry by offering an alternative to human coaches?
Personalized Plans and Adaptable Schedules
One fitness enthusiast used an AI tool for last-minute training for the a major running event.
The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales explained she liked the liberty to pose queries at all hours – something she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.
Leah used an AI-powered fitness application that provided her customized schedules with audio coaching and pace setting for her inaugural half marathon in 2024.
She explained she asked it to create a plan merging running and the gym, and it generated an 11-week plan customized to her event day and objectives.
Leah then adjusted the plan to suit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.
The following year, she chose a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it at any time. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.
She said she wanted to avoid the pressure from a human personal trainer.
"Using AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she added.
Richard Gallimore
Remarkable Fitness Improvements
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, from a Welsh city, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from 70kg to a much heavier load.
Richard turned to a AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a running event.
"I realized I had to get myself in shape," he said.
This no-cost application built a workout and diet plan tailored to his aims, and established organized workouts.
"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a real difference," he added.
The Cost Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Training
One recent survey in the previous year compared costs for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 a month, based on basic memberships.
Prices started at £23 at the cheapest provider to a premium rate at the highest-priced.
Based on further data, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long appointment outside London and about a similar range in the capital.
Clients typically use a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, however these agreements are completely flexible.
Dafydd Judd
The Essential Human Element
Personal trainer one experienced professional, from Cardiff, said AI can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that in-person coaching offers.
The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a coach, focuses on senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his clients also employ AI.
"I think it's extremely useful, more knowledge is positive," he said.
"I believe the more that people are online the more they'll desire human connection because they want the warmth from the comprehension that is absent from a machine," he added.
The trainer said Artificial intelligence can educate clients and make coaching more effective.
But, he argued true dedication comes when people show up in person for their sessions.
"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," Dafydd added.
In the view of many, he suggested, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.
