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Leah Walsh

After a festive period filled with rich foods and downtime, numerous individuals enter January aiming to get their fitness back on track.

But, could AI be changing the world of exercise by providing an alternative to personal trainers?

Tailored Plans and Adaptable Schedules

Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for impromptu preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales explained she liked the freedom to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.

Leah relied on an AI-powered fitness application that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural half marathon in recent years.

She said she asked it to design a plan combining cardio and the gym, and it generated an 11-week programme customized to her race date and objectives.

Leah then tweaked the plan to fit her daily routine, which she described was convenient.

The following year, she opted for a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could consult it at any time. She finished a minute faster than her goal time.

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

"With AI you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she added.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Strength Gains

In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, based in a Welsh city, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has never felt stronger, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

He resorted to a AI assistant for assistance after being forced to walk a race.

"I realized I had to sort myself out," he said.

The free tool built a fitness and meal program personalized to his goals, 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. Conventional Coaching

One recent survey in the previous year compared prices for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, for basic memberships.

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

Based on industry research, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically £30-£65 per hour-long session in most areas and about a similar range in London.

Customers will often use a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, however these agreements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Essential Human Element

Fitness coach one experienced professional, from Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be useful to accelerate results, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and accountability that live training provides.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in older adults and injury rehabilitation. He said some 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 human connection because they crave the empathy from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he continued.

Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can educate clients and make guidance more efficient.

However, he argued true dedication comes when people appear physically for their sessions.

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

For many, he said, the fitness center is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.