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Leah Walsh

Following a holiday period packed with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals enter January aiming to get their fitness back on track.

But, is it possible that AI be transforming the world of exercise by offering an alternative to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Timelines

One fitness enthusiast used an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman hailing from Aberdare explained she liked the freedom to pose queries any time of day – a feature she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.

She relied on an AI-driven running app that gave her customized schedules with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural half marathon in recent years.

She explained she asked it to create a regimen merging running and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week plan customized to her race date and objectives.

Leah then adjusted the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.

Subsequently, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions at any time. She finished a full minute quicker than her target finish.

She said she did not want feeling pressure from a live instructor.

"Using AI you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she remarked.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Fitness Improvements

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, from Swansea, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

Richard turned to a bot for assistance after being forced to walk a running event.

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

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

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

The Expense Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Coaching

One recent survey in late 2024 compared costs for numerous of the largest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, for standard full-access plans.

Prices ranged from a lower price at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.

Based on further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long appointment outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

Customers will often use a trainer one or two times a week and work with them for a short period, however these arrangements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Touch

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, based in the Welsh capital, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will never replace the personal interaction and accountability that in-person coaching provides.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in older adults and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his trainees also employ AI.

"I think it's extremely useful, additional information is positive," he stated.

"I believe the more that people are online the more they'll want personal contact because they want the empathy from the understanding that is absent from a computer," he continued.

Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can inform clients and make guidance more effective.

However, he argued real commitment comes when people show up physically for training.

"As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," Dafydd added.

In the view of many, he suggested, the fitness center is a space to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.