I successfully Exchanged My Own Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Working.
Leah Walsh
After a holiday period packed with indulgent treats and downtime, many people enter the new year looking to get their fitness back on track.
But, could Artificial Intelligence be transforming the world of exercise by providing an alternative to personal trainers?
Personalized Programs and Adaptable Schedules
Leah Walsh used an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales explained she liked the freedom to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.
She used an AI-driven fitness application that provided her customized schedules with audio coaching and pace setting for her first long-distance race in recent years.
She said she asked it to design a plan merging running and the gym, and it generated an 11-week programme customized to her event day and goals.
The user then tweaked the plan to fit her daily routine, which she described was highly practical.
Subsequently, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a full minute quicker than her target finish.
She said she did not want feeling pressure from a live instructor.
"Using artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she added.
Richard Gallimore
Remarkable Fitness Improvements
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.
Richard turned to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a running event.
"I realized I need to sort myself out," he commented.
The free tool built a workout and diet plan personalized to his goals, and created structured routines.
"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he added.
The Expense Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Training
One recent study in the previous year compared costs for 17 of the largest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 a month, for standard full-access plans.
Prices started at a lower price at the cheapest chain to £132 at the highest-priced.
Based on further data, personal trainers set their own rates, typically £30-£65 per hour-long session in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.
Clients will often hire a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, however these arrangements are completely flexible.
A personal trainer
The Essential Human Touch
Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in the Welsh capital, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that live training provides.
This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He mentioned some of his clients also use AI.
"In my opinion it's extremely useful, additional information is positive," he said.
"I think the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll want personal contact because they want the warmth from the understanding that is missing from a machine," he added.
Dafydd said AI can educate clients and make coaching more effective.
But, he said true dedication comes when people appear in person for training.
"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," Dafydd concluded.
For many, he said, the fitness center is a space to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.
