I Replaced My Own Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Effective.
Leah Walsh
Following a festive period packed with indulgent treats and relaxation, many people head into the new year aiming to get their fitness back on track.
But, is it possible that AI be transforming the world of exercise by offering an option to personal trainers?
Personalized Programs and Adaptable Schedules
Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for last-minute training for the a major running event.
This young woman from Aberdare said she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.
Leah used an AI-driven fitness application that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her first half marathon in 2024.
She explained she requested it to create a regimen merging running and the weight training, and it generated an 11-week plan customized to her event day and objectives.
The user 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 consult it at any time. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.
She noted she did not want the pressure from a live instructor.
"With artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she remarked.
A weightlifter
Remarkable Strength Improvements
In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, based in a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.
He turned to a bot for help after being forced to walk a race.
"I realized I need to get myself in shape," he commented.
The free tool constructed a fitness and meal program personalized to his aims, and established organized workouts.
"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he added.
The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Conventional Coaching
One recent survey in the previous year analyzed costs for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, for standard memberships.
Fees started at £23 at the most affordable provider to a premium rate at the most expensive.
According to industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session outside London and about a similar range in the capital.
Customers typically hire a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, but these arrangements are often adaptable.
Dafydd Judd
The Essential Human Element
Fitness coach one experienced professional, from Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and accountability that live training provides.
This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his trainees also use technology.
"I think it's extremely useful, additional information is good," he stated.
"I think the more people are online the more they'll want human connection because they want the warmth from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he continued.
The trainer said AI can inform users and make coaching more efficient.
But, he said real commitment comes when people appear physically for their sessions.
"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," he concluded.
For many, he said, the gym is a space to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.
