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Leah Walsh

After a festive period packed with indulgent treats and relaxation, many people head into January looking to get their fitness back on track.

However, could Artificial Intelligence be transforming the fitness industry by providing an alternative to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Schedules

Leah Walsh used an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare said she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – something she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.

Leah relied on an AI-powered running app that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.

She said she requested it to create a plan combining cardio and the gym, and it generated an 11-week plan customized to her race date and goals.

The user then adjusted the plan to fit her daily routine, which she described was highly practical.

Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. Her result was a minute faster 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

Meanwhile, Another individual, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been using artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his chest press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

He turned to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a running event.

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

The free tool built a fitness and meal program personalized to his aims, and established structured routines.

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

The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Traditional Coaching

A recent study in the previous year compared prices for numerous of the largest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was around £38 per month, for basic full-access plans.

Prices ranged from a lower price at the cheapest provider to £132 at the highest-priced.

Based on further data, personal trainers determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session in most areas and about a similar range in the capital.

Clients typically hire a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, but these agreements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Personal Touch

Personal trainer one experienced professional, based in the Welsh capital, said AI can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the personal interaction and responsibility that in-person coaching offers.

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

"In my opinion it's extremely useful, additional information is positive," he stated.

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

The trainer explained AI can educate users and make coaching more effective.

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

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," Dafydd concluded.

For many, he suggested, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.