🔗 Share this article I successfully Swapped My Own Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Effective. Leah Walsh She employed AI to train for her second half marathon and secured a personal best. After a holiday period packed with indulgent treats and relaxation, many people enter January looking to regain their fitness momentum. But, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be transforming the fitness industry by offering an option to personal trainers? Personalized Programs and Adaptable Timelines Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon. The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare said she appreciated the liberty to pose queries at all hours – something she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach. She used an AI-driven fitness application that gave her customized schedules with voice guidance and speed targets for her first long-distance race in 2024. She said she asked it to design a plan merging running and the gym, and it generated an 11-week plan customized to her event day and objectives. The user then adjusted the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she described was highly practical. The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a minute faster than her target finish. She said she did not want the pressure from a human personal trainer. "With AI you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she added. A weightlifter He has been using AI for his workout and nutrition, and states he has never been stronger. Remarkable Strength Gains In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, from Swansea, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has never felt stronger, increasing his chest press from a lower weight to 110kg. He turned to a bot for help after being unable to run a running event. "I just knew I had to get myself in shape," he said. This no-cost application built a fitness and meal program personalized to his goals, and created structured routines. "I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added. The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Traditional Coaching A recent survey in the previous year compared costs for 17 of the biggest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, based on basic memberships. Fees ranged from a lower price at the cheapest provider to £132 at the highest-priced. According to industry research, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long appointment outside London and about a similar range in the capital. Clients typically use a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, however these arrangements are completely flexible. Dafydd Judd Personal trainer one professional believes artificial intelligence will cannot replicate the personal bond that comes from face-to-face coaching. The Irreplaceable Personal Element Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to accelerate results, but believes it will not supplant the human connection and accountability that in-person coaching provides. The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a coach, focuses on senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said some of his clients also use technology. "In my opinion it's extremely useful, more knowledge is positive," he said. "I think the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll want human connection because they crave the warmth from the understanding that is absent from a computer," he continued. Dafydd said AI can inform clients and make guidance more effective. But, he argued true dedication comes when people show up physically for training. "As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," he added. For many, he said, the fitness center is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.