I successfully Replaced My Own Fitness Coach for Artificial Intelligence – And It's Effective.

Leah Walsh

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

However, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be changing the world of exercise by providing an alternative to personal trainers?

Tailored Plans and Flexible Schedules

Leah Walsh used an AI tool for last-minute training for the a major running event.

This young woman from Aberdare said she liked the liberty to pose queries any time of day – a feature she believed was not possible with a personal trainer.

Leah relied on an AI-driven fitness application that gave her personalised plans with audio coaching and speed targets for her first half marathon in 2024.

She said she requested it to design a regimen merging cardio and the gym, and it produced an 11-week programme tailored to her event day and goals.

The user then tweaked the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she said was convenient.

Subsequently, she chose a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions at any time. She finished a minute faster than her goal time.

She said she did not want feeling pressure from a live instructor.

"With artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she remarked.

A weightlifter

Significant Fitness Gains

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been using artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.

He turned to a bot for help after being forced to walk a race.

"I just knew I need to get myself in shape," he commented.

This no-cost application constructed a fitness and meal program personalized to his goals, and created structured routines.

"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.

The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Training

One recent survey in late 2024 compared prices for 17 of the biggest gym brands and found the average membership cost was around £38 per month, based on basic full-access plans.

Fees started at £23 at the most affordable provider to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

According to further data, personal trainers determine their own fees, usually £30-£65 per hour-long appointment outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

Clients will often hire a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, but these arrangements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Essential Personal Touch

Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and accountability that in-person coaching provides.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his clients also employ technology.

"In my opinion it's extremely useful, additional information is good," he said.

"I think the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll want human connection because they want the warmth from the comprehension that is absent from a machine," he continued.

The trainer explained AI can inform clients and make coaching more effective.

But, he said real commitment comes when people show up physically for training.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd concluded.

In the view of many, he said, the gym is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.