I successfully Replaced My Personal Trainer for AI – And It's Working.
A runner
Following a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and relaxation, many people enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.
However, could AI be transforming the world of exercise by providing an option to personal trainers?
Tailored Programs and Adaptable Timelines
One fitness enthusiast employed an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the a major running event.
This young woman hailing from Aberdare explained she liked the liberty to pose queries at all hours – something she felt was not possible with a personal trainer.
She used an AI-driven fitness application that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her first half marathon in recent years.
She explained she requested it to create a regimen merging cardio and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week plan customized to her event day and goals.
The user then adjusted the schedule to suit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.
Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could consult it whenever she wanted. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.
She noted she did not want the pressure from a live instructor.
"With AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.
Richard Gallimore
Significant Fitness Gains
Meanwhile, Another individual, 23, from Swansea, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has never felt stronger, boosting his chest press from 70kg to a much heavier load.
Richard resorted to a AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a race.
"I just knew I need to sort myself out," he said.
The free tool constructed a fitness and meal program personalized to his aims, and established organized workouts.
"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.
The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Traditional Coaching
One recent study in late 2024 analyzed costs for 17 of the largest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 a month, for standard full-access plans.
Prices ranged from £23 at the cheapest chain to £132 at the highest-priced.
Based on industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, usually £30-£65 per 45-60 minute session outside London and about a similar range in the capital.
Clients typically hire a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, but these agreements are often adaptable.
A personal trainer
The Irreplaceable Personal Touch
Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, said AI can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that live training offers.
The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said some of his trainees also use AI.
"I think it's very valuable, additional information is positive," he said.
"I believe the more people are online the more they'll desire personal contact because they want the warmth from the understanding that is missing from a machine," he continued.
Dafydd said AI can educate users and make coaching more efficient.
But, he argued real commitment comes when people appear physically for their sessions.
"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," he added.
For many, he said, the fitness center is a space to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.
