I successfully Swapped My Personal Trainer for Artificial Intelligence – With Great Results.

Leah Walsh

Following a festive period filled with rich foods and downtime, numerous individuals head into the new year looking to regain their fitness momentum.

But, could Artificial Intelligence be changing the fitness industry by providing an alternative to personal trainers?

Personalized Programs and Adaptable Timelines

One fitness enthusiast employed an artificial intelligence application for impromptu preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The 21-year-old from a town in Wales explained she liked the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – something she felt was unavailable with a personal trainer.

She used an AI-powered fitness application that provided her personalised plans with audio coaching and pace setting for her first long-distance race in 2024.

She explained she asked it to design a regimen merging cardio and the gym, and it generated an multi-week plan tailored to her event day and objectives.

The user then tweaked the plan to suit her daily routine, which she said was highly practical.

The following year, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could consult it at any time. Her result was a minute faster than her goal time.

She said she did not want feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.

"Using artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she added.

A weightlifter

Remarkable Fitness Gains

In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, from a Welsh city, has been using artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from 70kg to 110kg.

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

"I just knew I need to sort myself out," he commented.

This no-cost application constructed a workout and diet plan personalized to his aims, and established structured routines.

"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a real difference," he added.

The Cost Contrast: AI vs. Conventional Coaching

A recent survey in late 2024 analyzed prices for 17 of the largest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was around £38 a month, for standard memberships.

Prices ranged from £23 at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

Based on industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session outside London and about a similar range in London.

Clients will often hire a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, however these agreements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Human Touch

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to accelerate results, but believes it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that live training provides.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned some of his trainees also use AI.

"I think it's extremely useful, more knowledge is good," he stated.

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

The trainer said Artificial intelligence can inform users and make guidance more effective.

But, he said true dedication comes when people show up in person for training.

"No matter how helpful 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 space to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.