I Swapped My Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Effective.

A runner

Following a holiday period packed with indulgent treats and relaxation, numerous individuals enter January looking to get their fitness back on track.

But, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be transforming the fitness industry by providing an option to human coaches?

Tailored Programs and Adaptable Timelines

Leah Walsh used an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman from a town in Wales explained she liked the freedom to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.

Leah relied on an AI-powered fitness application that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in 2024.

She explained she asked it to create a regimen combining running and the weight training, and it generated an 11-week programme customized to her race date and objectives.

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

The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions at any time. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.

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

"Using artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she added.

A weightlifter

Significant Strength Improvements

In a similar case, Another individual, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been using artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

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

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

The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan tailored to his goals, and established structured routines.

"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he said.

The Expense Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Training

One recent survey in late 2024 compared costs for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, for basic full-access plans.

Fees ranged from £23 at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.

Based on industry research, fitness coaches set their own rates, usually £30-£65 per hour-long session 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 agreements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Essential Human Touch

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and responsibility that live training provides.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his clients also employ technology.

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

"I think the more people are connected digitally the more they'll desire personal contact because they crave the warmth from the comprehension that is absent from a computer," he continued.

The trainer explained AI can inform clients and make coaching more efficient.

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

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," Dafydd added.

For many, he suggested, the fitness center is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.