Trainer vs tech: Tailoring your fitness approach for optimal results and motivation
Whether you're starting from scratch or chasing peak performance, today's tools are smarter than ever; think wearable tech, AI-powered apps, or an experienced professional trainer. But with so many options promising transformation, how does one choose?
Fitness wearables and apps offer real-time data, goal tracking, and 24/7 motivation, all from your wrist. Meanwhile, professional trainers offer tailored plans, accountability, emotional support, and a sharp eye on your form. Then there's the hybrid route: blending digital feedback with in-person expertise.
The fitness tech industry's booming.
The American College of Sports Medicine ranks wearables as the world's top fitness trend for 2025, followed closely by mobile apps. South Africans are catching on fast.
'Wearables have gone from glorified tracking devices to powerful health companions,' says Arthur Goldstuck, founder of World Wide Worx and author of The HitchHiker's Guide to AI.
A fitness tracker for every pocket
Goldstuck says there's a fitness wearable for every budget, from basic trackers to devices offering detailed health metrics. Even if you're not tech-savvy at first, most people get the hang of it over time.
While Apple, Samsung and Garmin dominate the market, Goldstuck swears by his Huawei GT4. It tracks his sleep, heart rate, VO2 max, and even offers tips for improvement and recovery.
'I prefer my smart watch because it fits in with my lifestyle. It's made me more mindful of my activity, especially when I'm travelling,' he says.
Most devices link to apps like MyFitnessPal, Strava, and Nike Training Club. Strava is a favourite for runners and cyclists with its performance insights and social sharing features. Nike Training Club offers guided workouts (for free), while FitOn has on-demand sessions from yoga to strength training. Many also include community forums or achievement badges for added motivation.
South Africa's superstar and 2025 Comrades winner, Gerda Steyn, also opts for fitness wearables over a trainer.
Steyn has won four consecutive Comrades marathons. With so much information available online she prefers to be her own coach, relying on her Garmin Forerunner 965 and heart rate monitor. Once she has worked out a training plan, she sticks to it. Whether she's training in France, Dullstroom or Johannesburg, Steyn logs every detail, from pace to resting heart rate, both digitally and in a notebook. This helps her track her progress.
'You have to do the work, no one can do it for you,' she says. Her husband is her sounding board, but when she needs a boost, she joins a running club. Even this year's brutally hot Comrades held no surprises — her game plan had her covered.
Why some people need more than an app
But for those who find tech too daunting, or struggle to break a habit and stay motivated, the answer might lie in the right expert.
Lee Archer, a sport scientist and co-owner of Fitpro, and Kirsty Elliott, Head of Sport Science at Semli (Sport Exercise Medicine & Lifestyle Institute) both stress the same point: don't just pick anyone, and do your research. Vet their qualifications and approach. Ask yourself: do they 'get' you? Can they work to your needs and goals?
Archer believes that fitness professionals, whether it is a personal trainer, sport scientist or biokineticist, offer more than expertise. While fitness tech offers convenience, it's no substitute for the insight, motivation and consistent tracking of a skilled professional. They provide structure, keep you motivated, create a unique programme for you, and offer continuous assessment.
Elliott cautions that although the advancement in tech is impressive, it often makes assumptions. The numbers on your watch or device give you a guide, but not necessarily the whole truth.
Which expert should you trust with your health goals?
Elliott breaks it down like this: if you're looking to get fitter or just starting out, a personal trainer, especially one at a major gym, is a great place to begin. These trainers all have accredited qualifications, and many are experienced and passionate about helping clients hit their goals. Some trainers might have only done shorter courses, but bring plenty of skill and dedication to the job.
Sport scientists usually work with athletes, digging into their strengths and weaknesses to improve performance.
Then there are biokineticists, qualified healthcare professionals who design safe, step-by-step exercise plans for people recovering from injuries or managing chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, or heart issues; but they're not just for clinical rehab, anyone can benefit from their tailored approach. Each of these professionals has something unique to offer, and the right fit depends on your goals, needs, and where you are in your fitness journey.
'How a biokineticist gave me my life back'
Erna Matthee, a 47-year-old General Manager at Data-Shack, knows this first hand.
After battling obesity, pre-diabetes, and chronic pain for years, she'd tried everything, fad diets, fasting, diet pills, apps. Nothing stuck.
'I realised I was addicted to food and couldn't break old habits.'
Then she met a biokineticist. Unlike an app, she offered compassion, accountability, and a custom plan tailored to Matthee's physical and emotional needs. They meet twice a week. Her programme is gradually adjusted as they go along. When Matthee feels she's slipping, her trainer is there to guide her back on track.
'It's the hardest thing I've ever done,' says Matthee. 'But for the first time, I feel supported, and I'm not in this alone.' Matthee's not at her goal yet, but she's off chronic meds and can enjoy her life again.
For her, no app could ever replace the human connection, emotional and spiritual care and advice she receives. She says that 'for anyone out there battling with similar issues it's never too late to start and remember there is no quick fix that works forever'.
Smashing limits with the right support team
Alwande Sikhosana, South Africa's number one wheelchair tennis player, echoes that sentiment. After becoming disabled due to a failed surgery in childhood, he rose through the ranks with sheer grit. But his breakthrough came after working with a sport scientist.
She identified his weak points, designed a programme tailored to his unique needs, and collaborates closely with his tennis coach to ensure peak performance. From fine-tuning his strength to helping him manoeuvre his chair more effectively on court, she's made a tangible difference.
Sikhosana says he doesn't have a top-of-the-range wheelchair, but with the right people in his corner, he focuses on what he can control.
'Tech is great,' he says, 'but having someone who believes in you and works with your reality is even better.'
Whether you lean toward wearables, a fitness professional, or a bit of both, the health benefits of exercise are indisputable. It's never too late to start—and with so many options available, there's a workable solution for everyone. DM
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