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Leah Walsh

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

But, could AI be changing the fitness industry by providing an option to human coaches?

Tailored Plans and Flexible Schedules

One fitness enthusiast employed an AI tool for impromptu preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare explained she liked the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – something she felt was not possible with a personal trainer.

She used an AI-driven running app that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.

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

Leah then tweaked the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.

The following year, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it whenever she wanted. She finished a minute faster than her goal time.

She noted 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

Significant Strength Improvements

In a similar case, Another individual, 23, based in Swansea, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

He resorted to a bot for help after being forced to walk a running event.

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

This no-cost application built a workout and diet plan personalized to his aims, and created organized workouts.

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

The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Training

A recent survey in the previous year analyzed prices for numerous of the largest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, based on basic full-access plans.

Fees ranged from £23 at the most affordable provider to £132 at the most expensive.

According to further data, personal trainers set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

Customers will often hire a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, however these arrangements are completely flexible.

Dafydd Judd

The Irreplaceable Human Element

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but believes it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that in-person coaching provides.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned some of his clients also employ AI.

"In my opinion it's very valuable, more knowledge is good," he said.

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

Dafydd said AI can educate users and make guidance more effective.

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

"As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he added.

In the view of many, he said, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.