🔗 Share this article I Exchanged My Own Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Working. Leah Walsh Leah used AI to train for her latest half marathon and achieved a new record. Following a holiday period filled with rich foods and downtime, many people enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum. But, is it possible that AI be changing the fitness industry by providing an alternative to human coaches? Personalized Plans and Adaptable Timelines One fitness enthusiast used an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon. The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare said she appreciated the freedom to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she felt was not possible with a traditional coach. Leah used an AI-powered running app that gave her customized schedules with voice guidance and pace setting for her first half marathon in 2024. She said she requested it to design a regimen merging cardio and the gym, and it generated an multi-week programme customized to her event day and goals. The user then tweaked the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she said was convenient. The following year, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a full minute quicker than her target finish. She said she wanted to avoid the pressure from a live instructor. "With AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked. A weightlifter Richard Gallimore has been using AI for his workout and nutrition, and says he has never been stronger. Significant Fitness Gains In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg. He turned to a bot for assistance after being forced to walk a race. "I realized I had to get myself in shape," he said. This no-cost application built a fitness and meal program tailored to his goals, and created organized workouts. "I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he said. The Cost Comparison: Technology vs. Traditional Coaching One recent study in the previous year analyzed prices for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, for basic memberships. Fees started at £23 at the most affordable chain to £132 at the most expensive. According to further data, fitness coaches set their own rates, usually £30-£65 per hour-long appointment in most areas and about a similar range in the capital. Customers will often use a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, however these arrangements are completely flexible. A personal trainer Fitness expert Dafydd Judd maintains AI will never replace the human connection that comes from in-person training. The Essential Human Touch Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, said AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that in-person coaching provides. The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He mentioned some of his trainees also use AI. "In my opinion it's very valuable, additional information is good," he stated. "I think the more people are connected digitally the more they'll desire human connection because they want the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a machine," he added. Dafydd said AI can educate clients and make guidance more effective. But, he said true dedication comes when people show up physically for their sessions. "As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," Dafydd concluded. In the view of many, he suggested, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.