I Replaced My Fitness Coach for AI – With Great Results.

A runner

After a festive period packed with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

However, is it possible that AI be changing the world of exercise by offering an alternative to human coaches?

Tailored Programs and Adaptable Timelines

Leah Walsh used an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the a major running event.

This young woman hailing from Aberdare said she liked the liberty to pose queries any time of day – a feature she felt was not possible with a traditional coach.

Leah used an AI-powered fitness application that provided her personalised plans with audio coaching and pace setting for her inaugural long-distance race in 2024.

She explained she asked it to create a regimen merging cardio and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week plan tailored to her event day and objectives.

The user then tweaked the schedule to suit her daily routine, which she said was highly practical.

Subsequently, she opted for a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her target finish.

She noted she wanted to avoid the pressure from a human personal trainer.

"Using AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she added.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Strength Improvements

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

Richard turned to a AI assistant for help after being unable to run a race.

"I realized I had to get myself in shape," he commented.

This no-cost application built a workout and diet plan tailored to his aims, and established structured routines.

"I work out for about two hours a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.

The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Training

One recent study in late 2024 analyzed prices for 17 of the biggest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, based on standard memberships.

Prices ranged from a lower price at the most affordable provider to a premium rate at the most expensive.

According to industry research, personal trainers set their own rates, typically £30-£65 per hour-long appointment in most areas and about £45-£65 in the capital.

Customers typically use a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, but these arrangements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Essential Personal Element

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to accelerate results, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and accountability that in-person coaching provides.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his clients also use technology.

"I think it's extremely useful, additional information is positive," he said.

"I believe the more people are online the more they'll want personal contact because they crave the warmth from the comprehension that is absent from a machine," he continued.

Dafydd explained AI can inform users and make coaching more efficient.

However, he argued true dedication comes when people appear physically for training.

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," he added.

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