I Replaced My Own Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Effective.
Leah Walsh
After a festive period packed with indulgent treats and downtime, many people enter January looking to regain their fitness momentum.
However, could AI be changing the fitness industry by providing an option to personal trainers?
Tailored Plans and Adaptable Schedules
Leah Walsh used an artificial intelligence application for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
This young woman hailing from Aberdare explained she liked the freedom to ask it questions at all hours – something she felt was unavailable with a traditional coach.
Leah relied on an AI-driven running app that provided her customized schedules with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural half marathon in recent years.
She explained she asked it to design a regimen merging running and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week programme tailored to her race date and goals.
The user then tweaked the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.
The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. Her result was a full minute quicker than her goal time.
She noted she did not want the pressure from a live instructor.
"Using AI you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she remarked.
Richard Gallimore
Remarkable Fitness Improvements
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from 70kg to 110kg.
He resorted to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a race.
"I just knew I need to get myself in shape," he commented.
This no-cost application built a fitness and meal program personalized to his goals, and established organized workouts.
"I work out for about two hours a day and I've seen a real difference," he said.
The Cost Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Coaching
A recent survey in late 2024 analyzed costs for numerous of the biggest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, based on basic memberships.
Prices ranged from a lower price at the cheapest chain to £132 at the highest-priced.
Based on further data, personal trainers set their own rates, typically £30-£65 per 45-60 minute session outside London and about a similar range in London.
Customers typically use a coach one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, but these agreements are completely flexible.
A personal trainer
The Essential Human Element
Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in the Welsh capital, said AI can be useful to accelerate results, but believes it will never replace the human connection and accountability that in-person coaching provides.
The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned some of his trainees also use technology.
"I think it's extremely useful, additional information is good," he stated.
"I believe the more people are online the more they'll want human connection because they want the empathy from the comprehension that is absent from a machine," he added.
The trainer explained AI can inform clients and make coaching more efficient.
But, he said real commitment comes when people appear physically for training.
"As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he concluded.
For many, he said, the gym is a place to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.
