I successfully Swapped My Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Working.
Leah Walsh
Following a holiday period packed with rich foods and downtime, many people enter January looking to get their fitness back on track.
But, is it possible that AI be transforming the fitness industry by offering an alternative to personal trainers?
Tailored Plans and Adaptable Schedules
Leah Walsh used an AI tool for last-minute training for the a major running event.
This young woman from a town in Wales explained she appreciated the freedom to pose queries at all hours – something she felt was not possible with a personal trainer.
She relied on an AI-powered fitness application that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural long-distance race in 2024.
She explained she requested it to create a regimen merging cardio and the gym, and it produced an 11-week programme customized to her race date and goals.
Leah then adjusted the plan to fit her daily routine, which she said was convenient.
The following year, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could consult it at any time. She finished a full minute quicker than her goal time.
She noted she did not want the pressure from a live instructor.
"With AI you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she added.
Richard Gallimore
Significant Fitness Gains
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, from Swansea, has been employing artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
Richard turned to a bot for assistance after being unable to run a race.
"I realized I need to sort myself out," he commented.
This no-cost application built a workout and diet plan personalized to his aims, and created structured routines.
"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.
The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Conventional Coaching
A recent study in late 2024 analyzed costs for 17 of the biggest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, based on basic memberships.
Fees ranged from £23 at the cheapest chain to £132 at the highest-priced.
Based on industry research, personal trainers set their own rates, usually £30-£65 per hour-long session outside London and about a similar range in London.
Customers will often hire a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a short period, but these agreements are completely flexible.
Dafydd Judd
The Irreplaceable Human Touch
Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, said AI can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and responsibility that live training offers.
The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He said some of his clients also employ technology.
"In my opinion it's very valuable, 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 understanding that is missing from a computer," he added.
The trainer said AI can inform clients and make coaching more effective.
However, he said true dedication comes when people appear in person for training.
"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd concluded.
For many, he said, the gym is a place to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.
