I Swapped My Own Personal Trainer for AI – And It's Working.
Leah Walsh
After a holiday period packed with rich foods and relaxation, numerous individuals enter January looking to regain their fitness momentum.
However, could AI be transforming the fitness industry by providing an option to personal trainers?
Personalized Plans and Flexible Schedules
Leah Walsh used an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
This young woman hailing from a town in Wales said she liked the liberty to pose queries any time of day – something she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.
She relied on an AI-powered running app that gave her customized schedules with audio coaching and pace setting for her first half marathon in recent years.
She explained she requested it to design a plan combining cardio and the gym, and it generated an multi-week programme customized to her race date and goals.
The user then tweaked the plan to suit her daily routine, which she said was highly practical.
The following year, she chose a different tool because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her target finish.
She said she did not want feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.
"With AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she added.
Richard Gallimore
Remarkable Strength Gains
In a similar case, Another individual, 23, from Swansea, has been employing artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from 70kg to a much heavier load.
Richard resorted to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a race.
"I just knew I had to sort myself out," he said.
The free tool constructed 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 Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Training
A recent study in the previous year analyzed prices for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the average membership cost was around £38 a month, for standard memberships.
Prices ranged from £23 at the most affordable chain to £132 at the most expensive.
According to industry research, personal trainers set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session outside London and about £45-£65 in London.
Customers will often hire a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, but these agreements are often adaptable.
Dafydd Judd
The Irreplaceable Human Element
Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in Cardiff, said AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that in-person coaching provides.
This expert, who has 12 years experience as a coach, focuses on senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his trainees also use technology.
"In my opinion it's extremely useful, more knowledge is positive," he said.
"I think the more people are connected digitally the more they'll want personal contact because they want the warmth from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he continued.
Dafydd explained AI can educate users and make coaching more effective.
But, he said true dedication comes when people show up physically for their sessions.
"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd added.
For many, he said, the gym is a place to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.
