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Leah Walsh

After a holiday period filled with rich foods and relaxation, many people enter the new year looking to regain their fitness momentum.

But, could AI be changing the fitness industry by offering an alternative to personal trainers?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Timelines

One fitness enthusiast used an AI tool for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman from a town in Wales said she liked the liberty to pose queries any time of day – a feature she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.

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

She said she requested it to design a regimen merging cardio and the gym, and it generated an multi-week programme customized to her event day and objectives.

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

Subsequently, she opted for a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could consult it whenever she wanted. She finished a full minute quicker than her goal time.

She noted she wanted to avoid feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.

"With AI you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she added.

A weightlifter

Significant Strength Gains

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in Swansea, 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 help after being forced to walk a running event.

"I just knew I need to sort myself out," he said.

The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan tailored to his aims, and created organized workouts.

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

The Cost Comparison: Technology vs. Traditional Training

A recent survey in the previous year compared prices for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, based on standard full-access plans.

Fees ranged from £23 at the cheapest chain to £132 at the highest-priced.

According to industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute appointment outside London and about £45-£65 in the capital.

Customers will often hire a coach one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, however these arrangements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Human Element

Fitness coach one experienced professional, from Cardiff, said AI can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and accountability that live training provides.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned a number of his clients also employ technology.

"I think it's very valuable, more knowledge is positive," he stated.

"I think the more that people are online the more they'll want personal contact because they want the empathy from the comprehension that is absent from a machine," he added.

Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can educate users and make coaching more efficient.

However, he said true dedication comes when people show up physically for their sessions.

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," Dafydd added.

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