🔗 Share this article I Replaced My Personal Trainer for AI – And It's Working. Leah Walsh Leah used artificial intelligence to train for her latest half marathon and achieved a personal best. Following a festive period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, many people enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum. However, could AI be changing the fitness industry by offering an alternative to personal trainers? Personalized Programs and Adaptable Schedules One fitness enthusiast employed an artificial intelligence application for impromptu preparation for the a major running event. The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales said she appreciated the liberty to pose queries any time of day – a feature she felt was unavailable with a personal trainer. She relied on an AI-driven running app that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural long-distance race in 2024. She explained she asked it to create a plan combining running and the weight training, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her race date and goals. The user then tweaked the schedule to fit her daily routine, which she described was convenient. The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could consult it at any time. Her result was a minute faster than her goal time. She noted she wanted to avoid feeling pressure from a human personal trainer. "With artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she added. A weightlifter He has been using artificial intelligence for his workout and nutrition, and states he feels stronger than ever. Significant Strength Gains In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to 110kg. Richard resorted to a AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a race. "I realized I had to get myself in shape," he commented. The free tool built a workout and diet plan tailored to his goals, and created organized workouts. "I work out for about two hours a day and I've seen a real difference," he said. The Cost Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional Coaching A recent survey in the previous year analyzed costs for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, for basic full-access plans. Prices ranged from a lower price at the most affordable provider to £132 at the most expensive. According to industry research, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically £30-£65 per hour-long appointment in most areas and about £45-£65 in London. Clients typically hire a coach one or two times a week and work with them for a few months, however these arrangements are often adaptable. Dafydd Judd Fitness expert Dafydd Judd maintains artificial intelligence will never replace the personal bond that comes from in-person training. The Essential Human Element Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the human connection and accountability that in-person coaching provides. This expert, who has 12 years experience as a coach, specialises in older adults and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned a number of his clients also employ AI. "I think it's very valuable, additional information is good," he stated. "I believe the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll desire human connection because they crave the warmth from the understanding that is missing from a machine," he added. The trainer explained AI can inform clients and make coaching more effective. But, he argued real commitment comes when people show up in person for their sessions. "As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd concluded. In the view of many, he suggested, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.