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Leah Walsh

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

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

Tailored Programs and Flexible Timelines

Leah Walsh employed an artificial intelligence application for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare explained she liked the liberty to pose queries any time of day – 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 inaugural half marathon in 2024.

She explained she asked it to create a regimen combining running and the weight training, and it generated an 11-week programme tailored to her race date and goals.

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

The following year, she opted for a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. Her result was a minute faster than her goal time.

She said she did not want feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.

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

A weightlifter

Significant Strength Gains

Meanwhile, Another individual, 23, from a Welsh city, has been employing artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his chest press from 70kg to 110kg.

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

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

The free tool constructed a fitness and meal program 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 said.

The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Coaching

One recent study in the previous year analyzed prices for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, for standard full-access plans.

Fees ranged from a lower price at the cheapest provider to a premium rate at the most expensive.

Based on industry research, personal trainers 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.

Clients will often hire a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, however these agreements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Human Touch

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, said AI can be useful to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and accountability that in-person coaching offers.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his clients also employ technology.

"In my opinion it's very valuable, additional information is good," he said.

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

The trainer explained Artificial intelligence can inform clients and make guidance more efficient.

But, he said real commitment comes when people show up physically for training.

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," he added.

For many, he said, the gym is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.