I successfully Swapped My Own Fitness Coach for AI – And It's Working.

A runner

Following a holiday period filled with rich foods and downtime, many people enter January aiming to get their fitness back on track.

But, could AI be changing the world of exercise by offering an alternative to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Timelines

One fitness enthusiast used an AI tool for impromptu training for the a major running event.

This young woman from a town in Wales explained she appreciated the liberty to pose queries any time of day – a feature she felt was not possible with a personal trainer.

Leah used an AI-powered running app that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her first half marathon in recent years.

She explained she requested it to create a plan merging running and the gym, and it generated an 11-week plan customized to her race date and goals.

Leah then tweaked the schedule to suit her daily routine, which she said was convenient.

Subsequently, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. Her result was a full minute quicker than her goal time.

She said she wanted to avoid feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.

"With AI you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she remarked.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Fitness Gains

In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, from a Welsh city, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

He turned to a bot for help after being unable to run a running event.

"I just knew I had to sort myself out," he said.

The free tool built a workout and diet plan tailored to his goals, and created structured routines.

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

The Expense Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Coaching

A recent study in late 2024 compared costs for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, for basic memberships.

Fees ranged from a lower price at the most affordable chain to £132 at the highest-priced.

Based on industry research, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute appointment outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

Customers will often hire a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, however these agreements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Essential Personal Element

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, based in the Welsh capital, said AI can be useful to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and accountability that live training offers.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a coach, specialises in older adults and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned some of his clients also use AI.

"I think it's very valuable, additional information is good," he said.

"I believe the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll desire personal contact because they want the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a computer," he continued.

Dafydd said AI can inform users and make coaching more effective.

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

"As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd added.

In the view of many, he suggested, the gym is a place to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.