I successfully Swapped My Fitness Coach for Artificial Intelligence – And It's Effective.
Leah Walsh
After a festive period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals head into the new year looking to regain their fitness momentum.
But, could Artificial Intelligence be changing the fitness industry by offering an option to personal trainers?
Tailored Plans and Adaptable Timelines
Leah Walsh used an AI tool for impromptu preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales explained she liked the freedom to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she felt was not possible with a personal trainer.
Leah used an AI-driven running app 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 plan merging running and the gym, and it generated an multi-week programme customized to her event day and objectives.
Leah then tweaked the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.
The following year, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. She finished a minute faster than her goal time.
She noted she did not want feeling pressure from a live instructor.
"Using artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she remarked.
A weightlifter
Significant Strength Improvements
In a similar case, Another individual, 23, from Swansea, has been employing artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
He turned to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a race.
"I realized I had to sort myself out," he commented.
The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan tailored to his aims, and created organized workouts.
"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.
The Expense Contrast: AI vs. Conventional Coaching
One recent study in the previous year compared costs for numerous of the biggest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, for basic memberships.
Fees started at a lower price at the most affordable chain to £132 at the most expensive.
Based on further data, personal trainers set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.
Customers will often hire a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, but these arrangements are completely flexible.
Dafydd Judd
The Essential Personal Element
Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that live training offers.
The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said some of his clients also use AI.
"I think it's very valuable, additional information is good," he stated.
"I think the more that people are online the more they'll want human connection because they crave the empathy from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he continued.
The trainer said Artificial intelligence can educate users and make guidance more efficient.
But, he argued true dedication comes when people appear physically for their sessions.
"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," Dafydd added.
For many, he said, the gym is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.
