🔗 Share this article I Swapped My Own Personal Trainer for Artificial Intelligence – And It's Effective. A runner Leah employed AI to prepare for her second half marathon and secured a personal best. After a festive period packed with rich foods and downtime, many people head into January aiming to regain their fitness momentum. However, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be changing the world of exercise by providing an option to personal trainers? Tailored Plans and Adaptable Schedules One fitness enthusiast used an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon. The 21-year-old from Aberdare said she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – something she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer. She used an AI-driven running app that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her first long-distance race in recent years. She explained she requested it to create a regimen merging running and the gym, and it generated an 11-week programme customized to her race date and objectives. The user then tweaked the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical. Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her goal time. She noted she wanted to avoid feeling pressure from a live instructor. "With artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she added. Richard Gallimore He has been using artificial intelligence for his workout and nutrition, and states he has never been stronger. Remarkable Fitness Improvements In a similar case, Another individual, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from 70kg to 110kg. Richard resorted to a bot for assistance after being forced to walk a race. "I realized I need to get myself in shape," he said. This no-cost application constructed a workout and diet plan 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 Expense Comparison: AI vs. Traditional Training One recent survey in late 2024 compared prices for numerous of the biggest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, based on basic memberships. Fees ranged from a lower price at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the most expensive. Based on further data, personal trainers determine their own fees, typically £30-£65 per 45-60 minute session outside London and about a similar range in the capital. Clients typically use a coach one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, however these agreements are completely flexible. Dafydd Judd Fitness expert Dafydd Judd believes AI will cannot replicate the human connection that comes from face-to-face coaching. The Essential Human Touch Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in the Welsh capital, acknowledged AI can be beneficial 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 coach, focuses on older adults and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned a number of his trainees also employ technology. "I think it's very valuable, more knowledge is good," he said. "I believe the more that people are online the more they'll want human connection because they crave the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a machine," he added. Dafydd said AI can educate clients and make coaching more efficient. However, he argued real commitment comes when people show up in person for training. "No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," he added. For many, he suggested, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.