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Leah Walsh

After a festive period packed with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals enter January looking to regain their fitness momentum.

But, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be transforming the fitness industry by offering an option to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Schedules

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

The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare said she liked the freedom to pose queries at all hours – a feature she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.

Leah relied on an AI-powered fitness application that provided her customized schedules with audio coaching and pace setting for her first half marathon in 2024.

She said she requested it to create a regimen merging cardio and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week plan tailored to her event day and objectives.

The user then adjusted the plan to suit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.

The following year, she opted for a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished 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 motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.

A weightlifter

Remarkable Fitness Improvements

In a similar case, Another individual, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been using artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his chest press from 70kg to 110kg.

Richard resorted to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a race.

"I realized I had to get myself in shape," he commented.

This no-cost application constructed a fitness and meal program tailored to his aims, and created organized workouts.

"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a real difference," he said.

The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Traditional Training

One recent study in late 2024 compared costs for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, for standard full-access plans.

Prices started at a lower price at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

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

Customers typically use a coach one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, however these agreements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Irreplaceable Human Touch

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be useful to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and accountability that live training provides.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his trainees also employ technology.

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

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

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

But, he said true dedication comes when people show up in person for training.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," Dafydd added.

In the view of many, he suggested, the fitness center is a space to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.