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Leah Walsh

Following a festive period packed with rich foods and downtime, many people head into the new year looking to regain their fitness momentum.

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

Personalized Plans and Flexible Timelines

Leah Walsh used an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales said she appreciated the freedom to pose queries at all hours – something she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.

Leah relied on an AI-powered fitness application that gave her personalised plans with audio coaching and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in 2024.

She explained she asked it to design a plan combining cardio and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week programme tailored to her event day and objectives.

Leah then adjusted the plan to suit her daily routine, which she described was highly practical.

The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. Her result was a full minute quicker than her goal time.

She noted she did not want the 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, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been using artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

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

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

The free tool constructed a fitness and meal program personalized to his goals, and created structured routines.

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

The Cost Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Training

A recent study in the previous year compared costs for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the average membership cost was around £38 per month, for standard full-access plans.

Prices started at £23 at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.

Based on further data, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long appointment in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.

Customers will often use a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, however these agreements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Element

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be useful to speed up progress, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that live training offers.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned some of his clients also use AI.

"I think it's extremely useful, additional information is good," he said.

"I think the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll desire human connection because they want the warmth from the comprehension that is missing from a machine," he added.

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

However, he argued real commitment comes when people appear in person for training.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd added.

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