I successfully Replaced My Fitness Coach for Artificial Intelligence – With Great Results.

A runner

After a festive period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, many people enter January looking to get their fitness back on track.

But, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be changing the fitness industry by offering an alternative to personal trainers?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Schedules

Leah Walsh used an artificial intelligence application for impromptu training for the a major running event.

The 21-year-old from Aberdare explained she liked the freedom to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.

Leah relied on an AI-driven fitness application that gave her customized schedules with audio coaching and pace setting for her inaugural half marathon in recent years.

She said she asked it to create a regimen combining cardio and the gym, and it produced an 11-week programme customized to her event day and objectives.

The user then adjusted the schedule to suit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.

The following year, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it whenever she wanted. She finished a full minute quicker than her goal time.

She said she did not want the pressure from a human personal trainer.

"With artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she remarked.

A weightlifter

Remarkable Fitness Improvements

In a similar case, Another individual, 23, from Swansea, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

Richard turned to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a race.

"I realized I need to sort myself out," he commented.

The free tool constructed a fitness and meal program tailored to his goals, and established structured routines.

"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.

The Cost Contrast: AI vs. Conventional Coaching

One recent study in late 2024 compared costs for 17 of the biggest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, for standard memberships.

Fees started at £23 at the cheapest provider to £132 at the most expensive.

Based on industry research, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

Customers typically hire a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a short period, but these agreements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Human Touch

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, based in the Welsh capital, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that live training provides.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned a number of his clients also employ technology.

"In my opinion it's very valuable, 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 machine," he added.

Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can inform clients and make guidance more efficient.

However, he said real commitment comes when people appear in person for training.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he concluded.

For many, he said, the gym is a place to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.