I successfully Swapped My Fitness Coach for Artificial Intelligence – And It's Working.
Leah Walsh
After a festive period packed with indulgent treats and downtime, many people head into January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.
But, is it possible that AI be transforming the world of exercise by providing an alternative to human coaches?
Tailored Plans and Adaptable Schedules
One fitness enthusiast used an AI tool for last-minute training for the a major running event.
The 21-year-old from Aberdare explained she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – something she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.
Leah relied on an AI-powered fitness application that gave her customized schedules with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.
She said she requested it to create a plan combining running and the gym, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her race date and goals.
Leah then tweaked the schedule to suit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.
The following year, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her target finish.
She noted she did not want the pressure from a live instructor.
"Using AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.
A weightlifter
Significant Fitness Improvements
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
He resorted to a bot for assistance after being unable to run a race.
"I just knew I need to get myself in shape," he commented.
The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan tailored to his aims, and created structured routines.
"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.
The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Traditional Training
A recent study in the previous year compared prices for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, for basic full-access plans.
Prices started at £23 at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.
Based on further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually 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 hire a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, however these arrangements are often adaptable.
Dafydd Judd
The Essential Personal Element
Personal trainer one experienced professional, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that in-person coaching offers.
This expert, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in older adults and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his trainees also employ technology.
"I think it's extremely useful, more knowledge is good," he stated.
"I believe the more people are connected digitally the more they'll want human connection because they crave the empathy from the comprehension that is absent from a machine," he added.
The trainer explained AI can inform clients and make guidance more effective.
But, he argued true dedication comes when people appear physically for their sessions.
"As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," Dafydd added.
In the view of many, he said, the fitness center is a space to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.
