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Leah Walsh

Following a festive period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

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

Personalized Plans and Adaptable Schedules

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

This young woman from a town in Wales said she liked the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she felt was not possible with a traditional coach.

She used an AI-powered fitness application that gave her personalised plans with audio coaching and pace setting for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.

She explained she asked it to design a plan combining cardio and the gym, and it generated an multi-week plan tailored to her race date and objectives.

The user then tweaked the plan to suit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.

Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it at any time. Her result was a minute faster than her goal time.

She said she wanted to avoid feeling pressure from a live instructor.

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

A weightlifter

Remarkable Fitness Improvements

Meanwhile, Another individual, in his twenties, from Swansea, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.

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

"I just knew 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 train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.

The Cost Comparison: Technology vs. Traditional Training

One recent study in the previous year analyzed costs for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 a month, based on basic memberships.

Fees started at £23 at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

Based on industry research, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.

Clients will often hire a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, however these agreements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Personal Element

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, based in the Welsh capital, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and accountability that live training provides.

This expert, 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.

"I think it's very valuable, additional information is good," he said.

"I believe the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll desire human connection because they crave the warmth from the comprehension that is absent from a computer," he continued.

Dafydd said Artificial intelligence can educate clients and make coaching more effective.

But, he said true dedication comes when people appear in person for their sessions.

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," he concluded.

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