I Exchanged My Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Working.
Leah Walsh
Following a festive period packed with rich foods and relaxation, many people enter January looking to regain their fitness momentum.
But, is it possible that AI be changing the fitness industry by providing an option to human coaches?
Tailored Plans and Adaptable Schedules
Leah Walsh employed an artificial intelligence application for last-minute training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
This young woman hailing from a town in Wales explained she liked the freedom to pose queries any time of day – a feature she believed was not possible with a personal trainer.
Leah relied on an AI-driven fitness application that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural half marathon in recent years.
She said she asked it to design a regimen merging running and the gym, and it generated an 11-week programme tailored to her race date and objectives.
The user then adjusted the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.
The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her goal time.
She said she did not want the pressure from a live instructor.
"Using artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she added.
Richard Gallimore
Significant Strength Gains
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from a Welsh city, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.
Richard turned to a bot for help after being unable to run a race.
"I realized I had to get myself in shape," he said.
This no-cost application constructed a fitness and meal program tailored to his aims, and created organized workouts.
"I work out for about two hours a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.
The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional Training
A recent survey in the previous year compared prices for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 a month, for standard memberships.
Prices ranged from £23 at the most affordable provider to £132 at the highest-priced.
According to industry research, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long appointment outside London and about a similar range in the capital.
Customers typically use a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, however these arrangements are completely flexible.
Dafydd Judd
The Irreplaceable Personal Element
Personal trainer one experienced professional, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged AI can be useful to accelerate results, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that in-person coaching offers.
The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on senior clients and recovery from injuries. He mentioned a number of his trainees also employ technology.
"I think it's very valuable, more knowledge is positive," he said.
"I believe the more people are connected digitally the more they'll want personal contact because they crave the warmth from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he added.
The trainer explained AI can inform clients and make coaching more effective.
However, he said real commitment comes when people show up in person for their sessions.
"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he added.
For many, he said, the fitness center is a place to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.
