I successfully Swapped My Fitness Coach for Artificial Intelligence – And It's Working.
A runner
After a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals head into the new year looking 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 used an artificial intelligence application for last-minute training for the a major running event.
The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales explained she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.
She relied on an AI-powered fitness application that provided her customized schedules with audio coaching and pace setting for her first long-distance race in recent years.
She said she requested it to create a plan merging cardio and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week plan customized to her race date and goals.
Leah then adjusted the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.
Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a minute faster than her goal time.
She said she wanted to avoid the pressure from a human personal trainer.
"With artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she remarked.
Richard Gallimore
Significant Strength Improvements
Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been employing artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, 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 just knew I need to sort myself out," he said.
This no-cost application constructed a fitness and meal program personalized to his goals, and established structured routines.
"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a real difference," he added.
The Expense Contrast: Technology vs. Conventional Coaching
One recent survey in the previous year compared costs for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 a month, for basic full-access plans.
Prices ranged from a lower price at the most affordable chain to £132 at the highest-priced.
Based on further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about £45-£65 in the capital.
Clients will often hire a coach one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, however these agreements are often adaptable.
A personal trainer
The Irreplaceable Personal Element
Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that in-person coaching offers.
The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, focuses on senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his trainees also use AI.
"I think it's extremely useful, more knowledge is good," he said.
"I believe the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll want personal contact because they want the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a computer," he continued.
Dafydd said Artificial intelligence can educate clients and make guidance more efficient.
But, he said true dedication comes when people appear in person for training.
"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he concluded.
For many, he suggested, the fitness center is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.
