I successfully Replaced My Own Personal Trainer for Artificial Intelligence – And It's Working.
Leah Walsh
Following a holiday period filled with rich foods and downtime, many people enter the new year aiming to regain their fitness momentum.
However, could Artificial Intelligence be changing the world of exercise by providing an alternative to personal trainers?
Tailored Programs and Flexible Timelines
One fitness enthusiast used an artificial intelligence application for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales said she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.
She used an AI-driven running app that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her first long-distance race in recent years.
She said she requested it to create a plan merging running and the gym, and it generated an 11-week plan customized to her event day and objectives.
The user then adjusted the schedule to suit her daily routine, which she described was convenient.
The following year, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions at any time. Her result was a full minute quicker than her goal time.
She noted she did not want the pressure from a live instructor.
"With AI you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she added.
Richard Gallimore
Remarkable Fitness Improvements
Meanwhile, Another individual, 23, based in 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 realized I need to get myself in shape," he commented.
This no-cost application constructed a workout and diet plan 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 Expense Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Training
A recent study in the previous year analyzed costs for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was around £38 a month, for basic full-access plans.
Prices ranged from £23 at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.
Based on industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long appointment outside London and about a similar range in London.
Clients will often hire a trainer once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, however these arrangements are often adaptable.
Dafydd Judd
The Irreplaceable Human Touch
Fitness coach one experienced professional, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and accountability that live training offers.
The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned some of his clients also employ technology.
"In my opinion it's very valuable, more knowledge is positive," he stated.
"I believe the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll want personal contact because they crave the warmth from the understanding that is absent from a computer," he continued.
Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can educate users and make guidance more efficient.
But, he argued 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 7am before work," Dafydd concluded.
For many, he suggested, the fitness center is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.
