I successfully Swapped My Own Personal Trainer for AI – And It's Effective.
A runner
Following a festive period packed with rich foods and downtime, numerous individuals head into January looking to regain their fitness momentum.
But, is it possible that AI be transforming the world of exercise by offering an alternative to human coaches?
Tailored Plans and Flexible Timelines
Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 21-year-old from Aberdare said she liked the freedom to pose queries at all hours – something she felt was unavailable with a personal trainer.
Leah relied on an AI-powered fitness application that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural half marathon in 2024.
She said she asked it to design a regimen merging running and the gym, and it generated an 11-week programme tailored to her event day and objectives.
Leah then tweaked the plan to fit her daily routine, which she described was convenient.
Subsequently, she opted for a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.
She said she did not want feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.
"Using AI you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she remarked.
Richard Gallimore
Significant Fitness Improvements
Meanwhile, Another individual, in his twenties, based in a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from a lower weight to 110kg.
Richard resorted to a bot for help after being unable to run a running event.
"I realized I had to get myself in shape," he commented.
The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan personalized to his goals, and established organized workouts.
"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.
The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional Coaching
One recent study in the previous year compared costs for numerous of the largest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, for basic memberships.
Fees ranged from £23 at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.
Based on further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute appointment outside London and about £45-£65 in the capital.
Customers typically use a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, but these arrangements are completely flexible.
A personal trainer
The Essential Human Element
Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in Cardiff, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that live training offers.
This expert, who has 12 years experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his clients also employ AI.
"In my opinion it's very valuable, additional information is positive," he said.
"I believe the more that people are online the more they'll want personal contact because they crave the empathy from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he continued.
Dafydd said AI can inform users and make coaching more effective.
But, he argued real commitment comes when people appear physically for training.
"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he added.
In the view of many, he suggested, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.
