I Swapped My Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Working.
Leah Walsh
Following a holiday period filled with rich foods and downtime, numerous individuals head into the new year aiming to get their fitness back on track.
But, is it possible that AI be transforming the world of exercise by providing an alternative to personal trainers?
Tailored Plans and Flexible Schedules
One fitness enthusiast employed an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
This young woman from a town in Wales said she liked the freedom to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she felt was not possible with a personal trainer.
She relied on an AI-powered fitness application that provided her customized schedules with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.
She explained she requested it to design a plan merging running and the gym, and it generated an 11-week programme tailored to her race date and objectives.
Leah then adjusted the plan to suit her daily routine, which she described was highly practical.
The following year, she opted for a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a full minute quicker than her goal time.
She said she wanted to avoid the pressure from a live instructor.
"Using artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she remarked.
A weightlifter
Significant Fitness Gains
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
He resorted to a bot for assistance after being unable to run a race.
"I just knew I need to sort myself out," he said.
The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan personalized to his aims, and created organized workouts.
"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.
The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Training
A recent study in the previous year analyzed costs for 17 of the largest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, based on basic full-access plans.
Fees started at a lower price at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.
Based on industry research, personal trainers set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.
Customers will often use a coach one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, however these arrangements are completely flexible.
Dafydd Judd
The Essential Human Touch
Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, said AI can be useful to accelerate results, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that in-person coaching provides.
This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned a number of his trainees also employ technology.
"I think it's very valuable, additional information is good," he said.
"I think the more that 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.
The trainer said Artificial intelligence can inform 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 digital tool cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," he added.
In the view of many, he suggested, the fitness center is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.
