I successfully Replaced My Own Fitness Coach for Artificial Intelligence – And It's Working.
A runner
After a festive period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, many people enter the new year aiming to regain their fitness momentum.
However, could Artificial Intelligence be changing the fitness industry by providing an alternative to personal trainers?
Personalized Programs and Flexible Timelines
Leah Walsh employed an artificial intelligence application for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
This young woman from Aberdare explained she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she felt was unavailable with a personal trainer.
Leah relied on an AI-powered running app that provided her customized schedules with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.
She said she requested it to design a regimen combining running and the gym, and it produced an multi-week programme tailored to her event day and goals.
Leah then tweaked the schedule to suit her daily routine, which she said was convenient.
Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a full minute quicker than her target finish.
She said she did not want feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.
"With artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she remarked.
A weightlifter
Remarkable Fitness Gains
Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in Swansea, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from a lower weight to 110kg.
Richard resorted to a bot for assistance after being unable to run a race.
"I just knew I had to sort myself out," he commented.
The free tool constructed a fitness and meal program tailored to his aims, and created structured routines.
"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.
The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Training
One recent survey in the previous year analyzed prices for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was around ÂŁ38 a month, for standard memberships.
Fees started at a lower price at the cheapest provider to a premium rate at the highest-priced.
According to further data, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session in most areas and about a similar range in London.
Customers will often use a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, however these agreements are completely flexible.
Dafydd Judd
The Essential Human Element
Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and responsibility that in-person coaching provides.
The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned some of his clients also use AI.
"I think it's extremely useful, additional information is positive," he stated.
"I think the more people are online the more they'll want personal contact because they crave the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a computer," he added.
Dafydd said AI can inform clients and make guidance more effective.
But, he said real commitment comes when people show up physically for training.
"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he added.
In the view of many, he said, the fitness center is a space to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.
