I Swapped My Personal Trainer for AI – And It's Working.
A runner
Following a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals enter January looking to regain their fitness momentum.
However, is it possible that AI be transforming the world of exercise by offering an alternative to human coaches?
Personalized Programs and Flexible Schedules
One fitness enthusiast used an artificial intelligence application for impromptu preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
This young woman hailing from a town in Wales explained she liked the liberty to pose queries at all hours – a feature she felt was unavailable with a traditional coach.
Leah relied on an AI-powered fitness application that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her first half marathon in 2024.
She said she requested it to design a regimen merging cardio and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week plan tailored to her race date and objectives.
The user then adjusted the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she described was highly practical.
Subsequently, she opted for a different tool because it was cheaper and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her goal time.
She noted she did not want the pressure from a human personal trainer.
"Using AI you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she remarked.
Richard Gallimore
Significant Strength Gains
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in Swansea, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from 70kg to 110kg.
He turned to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a running event.
"I just knew I need to sort myself out," he commented.
This no-cost application built a workout and diet plan personalized to his aims, and created structured routines.
"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.
The Expense Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Training
One recent survey in the previous year compared costs for 17 of the biggest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, for standard full-access plans.
Prices ranged from £23 at the most affordable chain to £132 at the highest-priced.
Based on industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute appointment in most areas and about a similar range in the capital.
Customers typically use a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, however these agreements are often adaptable.
Dafydd Judd
The Essential Human Touch
Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and responsibility that in-person coaching offers.
This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, specialises in older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned some of his trainees also use AI.
"In my opinion it's very valuable, more knowledge is positive," he said.
"I believe the more people are connected digitally the more they'll want human connection because they want the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a computer," he added.
Dafydd said AI can inform users and make guidance more effective.
But, he argued real commitment comes when people show up in person for training.
"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," Dafydd added.
In the view of many, he said, the gym is a space to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.