I Exchanged My Personal Trainer for AI – And It's Effective.
Leah Walsh
Following a festive period packed with rich foods and relaxation, many people enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.
However, is it possible that AI be changing the world of exercise by offering an option to personal trainers?
Personalized Programs and Flexible Timelines
Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 21-year-old from a town in Wales said she liked the liberty to pose queries at all hours – a feature she felt was unavailable with a personal trainer.
She relied on an AI-powered running app that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural half marathon in recent years.
She explained she requested it to create a plan merging running and the gym, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her event day and goals.
The user then tweaked the schedule to suit her daily routine, which she said was convenient.
Subsequently, she chose a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a full minute quicker than her target finish.
She said she did not want feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.
"With artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she added.
A weightlifter
Remarkable Strength Gains
Meanwhile, Another individual, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been using artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.
He resorted to a bot for help after being unable to run a running event.
"I just knew I need to sort myself out," he said.
The free tool constructed a fitness and meal program tailored to his goals, and created organized workouts.
"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.
The Cost Comparison: AI vs. Traditional Training
A recent survey in the previous year compared costs for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the average membership cost was around £38 per month, for basic full-access plans.
Prices ranged from a lower price at the cheapest provider to a premium rate at the highest-priced.
Based on further data, personal trainers determine their own fees, usually £30-£65 per hour-long appointment in most areas and about a similar range in the capital.
Customers typically hire a trainer one or two times a week and work with them for a few months, however these arrangements are often adaptable.
Dafydd Judd
The Essential Human Touch
Personal trainer one experienced professional, based in the Welsh capital, said artificial intelligence can be useful to accelerate results, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and accountability that live training provides.
The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned some of his clients also use AI.
"In my opinion it's extremely useful, more knowledge is good," he stated.
"I believe the more people are connected digitally the more they'll desire personal contact because they want the warmth from the comprehension that is absent from a computer," he continued.
The trainer explained Artificial intelligence can educate clients and make guidance more effective.
But, he argued true dedication comes when people appear in person for training.
"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he concluded.
In the view of many, he said, the fitness center is a place to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.
