I successfully Swapped My Fitness Coach for AI – With Great Results.

A runner

After a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and relaxation, numerous individuals head into January aiming to get their fitness back on track.

However, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be transforming the world of exercise by providing an option to human coaches?

Personalized Programs and Flexible Schedules

Leah Walsh employed an artificial intelligence application for last-minute preparation for the a major running event.

This young woman hailing from Aberdare said she liked the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.

Leah used 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 asked it to create a regimen combining cardio and the gym, and it produced an 11-week programme customized to her event day and objectives.

Leah 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 consult it whenever she wanted. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.

She noted she did not want feeling pressure from a live instructor.

"With AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.

A weightlifter

Remarkable Strength Improvements

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in a Welsh city, has been using artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has never felt stronger, boosting his bench press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

Richard turned to a bot for assistance after being forced to walk a running event.

"I just knew I need to get myself in shape," he said.

The free tool built a fitness and meal program personalized to his goals, and created organized workouts.

"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.

The Expense Contrast: AI vs. Conventional Training

A recent survey in late 2024 analyzed costs for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, based on standard full-access plans.

Fees ranged from £23 at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

Based on further data, personal trainers determine their own fees, typically £30-£65 per 45-60 minute appointment in most areas and about a similar range in London.

Clients will often hire a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, but these arrangements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Human Touch

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, said artificial intelligence can be useful to speed up progress, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that in-person coaching offers.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his clients also use technology.

"I think it's very valuable, additional information is good," he stated.

"I think the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll want human connection because they crave the empathy from the understanding that is absent from a computer," he added.

The trainer said AI can inform clients and make coaching more effective.

However, he said real commitment comes when people appear physically for training.

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," he concluded.

In the view of many, he suggested, the gym is a space to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.