🔗 Share this article

Leah Walsh

After a festive period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals head into the new year aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

But, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be transforming the world of exercise by offering an alternative to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Adaptable Schedules

Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for impromptu preparation for the a major running event.

This young woman from a town in Wales explained she liked the liberty to pose queries any time of day – a feature she felt was not possible with a personal trainer.

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 recent years.

She explained she requested it to design a regimen combining running and the gym, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her race date and objectives.

Leah then tweaked the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.

Subsequently, she opted for a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could consult it at any time. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.

She noted she did not want feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.

"With AI you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she remarked.

A weightlifter

Significant Strength Gains

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in a Welsh city, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

He turned to a AI assistant for assistance after being forced to walk a running event.

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

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

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

The Cost Comparison: Technology vs. Traditional Coaching

A recent study in the previous year compared prices for numerous of the largest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, for basic full-access plans.

Prices started at £23 at the cheapest chain to £132 at the highest-priced.

Based on further data, personal trainers set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute appointment outside London and about a similar range in London.

Clients will often hire a trainer once or twice a week and work with them for a short period, but these agreements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Essential Personal Element

Personal trainer one experienced professional, based in Cardiff, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the human connection and accountability that in-person coaching offers.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He said some of his trainees also use technology.

"In my opinion it's very valuable, additional information is positive," he said.

"I believe the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll desire personal contact because they want the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a computer," he added.

Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can educate users and make guidance more effective.

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

"As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," Dafydd added.

For many, he said, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.