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A runner

Following a holiday period packed with rich foods and relaxation, numerous individuals enter the new year looking to get their fitness back on track.

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

Personalized Plans and Flexible Schedules

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

This young woman hailing from a town in Wales explained she appreciated the liberty to pose queries any time of day – something she believed was not possible with a personal trainer.

Leah relied on an AI-driven running app that provided her personalised plans with audio coaching and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in 2024.

She said she asked it to create a plan merging running and the gym, and it generated an multi-week plan customized to her race date and goals.

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

Subsequently, 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 live instructor.

"Using artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she added.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Strength Improvements

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

He turned to a bot for assistance after being forced to walk a race.

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

This no-cost application constructed a workout and diet plan tailored to his aims, and established structured routines.

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

The Cost Comparison: Technology vs. Traditional Training

One recent survey in the previous year compared prices for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was around £38 a month, based on basic memberships.

Prices ranged from £23 at the most affordable chain to £132 at the most expensive.

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

Clients will often use a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, however these arrangements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Human Touch

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and accountability that live training offers.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a coach, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He mentioned a number of his clients also use technology.

"I think it's extremely useful, more knowledge is positive," he stated.

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

The trainer explained AI can inform clients and make coaching more effective.

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

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," Dafydd added.

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