I Exchanged My Personal Trainer for AI – And It's Effective.
Leah Walsh
Following a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, many people enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.
But, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be transforming the world of exercise by offering an option to human coaches?
Tailored Plans and Flexible Timelines
One fitness enthusiast used an artificial intelligence application for impromptu preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 21-year-old from Aberdare said she liked the freedom to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.
Leah relied on an AI-driven fitness application that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.
She said she requested it to create a plan combining running and the gym, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her event day and goals.
The user then adjusted the schedule to suit her lifestyle, which she said was convenient.
The following year, she opted for 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 said she did not want feeling pressure from a live instructor.
"Using AI you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she added.
A weightlifter
Remarkable Fitness Improvements
In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from a Welsh city, has been employing artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has never felt stronger, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
He resorted to a bot for help after being unable to run a race.
"I realized I had to sort myself out," he commented.
This no-cost application built a fitness and meal program tailored to his goals, and created organized workouts.
"I work out for about two hours a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.
The Cost Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional Training
A recent study in late 2024 compared costs for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, based on basic full-access plans.
Fees ranged from a lower price at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.
Based on further data, fitness coaches set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session outside London and about £45-£65 in the capital.
Clients will often hire a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, but these arrangements are often adaptable.
A personal trainer
The Essential Personal Touch
Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be useful to accelerate results, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and accountability that live training offers.
The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned some of his clients also employ AI.
"In my opinion it's extremely useful, more knowledge is positive," he stated.
"I believe the more that people are online the more they'll want personal contact because they crave the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a computer," he added.
Dafydd explained AI can educate clients and make guidance more efficient.
But, he argued real commitment comes when people show up in person for their sessions.
"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he concluded.
In the view of many, he said, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.
