🔗 Share this article I successfully Exchanged My Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Working. A runner She used artificial intelligence to prepare for her second 21km race and secured a personal best. After a festive period packed with rich foods and downtime, many people head into January looking to get their fitness back on track. However, is it possible that AI be transforming the fitness industry by offering an alternative to human coaches? Tailored Plans and Flexible Timelines Leah Walsh used an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon. The 21-year-old from a town in Wales explained she liked the freedom to ask it questions any time of day – something she felt was unavailable with a personal trainer. Leah relied on an AI-driven fitness application that provided her customized schedules with audio coaching and speed targets for her first long-distance race in recent years. She explained she asked it to design a plan merging cardio and the weight training, and it produced an 11-week plan customized to her race date and goals. The user then tweaked the schedule to fit her daily routine, which she said was highly practical. The following year, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions at any time. She finished a full minute quicker than her goal time. She noted she wanted to avoid feeling pressure from a live instructor. "With AI you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she remarked. A weightlifter He has been using AI for his workout and nutrition, and says he has never been stronger. Remarkable Fitness Gains Meanwhile, Another individual, 23, from Swansea, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has never felt stronger, boosting his bench press from 70kg to 110kg. He turned to a bot for help after being forced to walk a running event. "I just knew I need to get myself in shape," he said. The free tool built a workout and diet plan tailored to his aims, and established structured routines. "I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he said. The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Conventional Training One recent survey in the previous year analyzed prices for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, for standard memberships. Prices ranged from a lower price at the cheapest provider to a premium rate at the highest-priced. Based on further data, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session outside London and about £45-£65 in London. Clients will often hire a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, but these agreements are often adaptable. A personal trainer Personal trainer one professional believes AI will never replace the human connection that comes from in-person training. The Irreplaceable Personal Element Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that live training offers. The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his trainees also employ technology. "In my opinion it's extremely useful, more knowledge is good," he said. "I believe the more people are connected digitally the more they'll desire human connection because they crave the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a computer," he added. The trainer said Artificial intelligence can inform clients and make coaching more efficient. But, he said true dedication comes when people appear in person for training. "As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," Dafydd added. For many, he suggested, the fitness center is a place to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.