I Swapped My Personal Trainer for AI – And It's Working.

A runner

After a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and relaxation, numerous individuals enter January looking to get their fitness back on track.

But, could AI be transforming the world of exercise by offering an alternative to personal trainers?

Personalized Programs and Flexible Timelines

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

This young woman from a town in Wales said she liked the liberty to pose queries at all hours – something she felt was unavailable with a personal trainer.

Leah used an AI-powered running app that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her first long-distance race in recent years.

She said she requested it to create a regimen merging running and the gym, and it generated an 11-week plan customized to her race date and objectives.

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

Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. Her result was a minute faster than her goal time.

She noted she did not want feeling pressure from a live instructor.

"Using AI you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she remarked.

Richard Gallimore

Significant Strength Improvements

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

He turned to a AI assistant for help after being unable to run a race.

"I realized I need to get myself in shape," he commented.

The free tool built a fitness and meal program personalized to his aims, and established organized workouts.

"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a real difference," he said.

The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Conventional Training

A recent study in the previous year analyzed prices for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, based on basic memberships.

Prices ranged from £23 at the most affordable chain to £132 at the most expensive.

According to industry research, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically £30-£65 per 45-60 minute session outside London and about £45-£65 in the capital.

Customers will often hire a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, but these agreements are completely flexible.

Dafydd Judd

The Irreplaceable Human Touch

Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in the Welsh capital, said artificial intelligence can be useful to accelerate results, but believes it will not supplant the human connection and responsibility that live training provides.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned some of his clients also use AI.

"In my opinion it's extremely useful, additional information is good," he said.

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

The trainer said Artificial intelligence can educate users and make coaching more effective.

But, he argued real commitment comes when people appear in person for their sessions.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," Dafydd added.

In the view of many, he said, the gym is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.