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Leah Walsh

After a holiday period packed with rich foods and relaxation, numerous individuals enter January looking to get their fitness back on track.

But, could AI be transforming the world of exercise by providing an alternative to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Timelines

Leah Walsh used an AI tool for last-minute training for the a major running event.

The 21-year-old from Aberdare said she liked the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.

She used an AI-driven fitness application that provided her customized schedules with audio coaching and pace setting for her first long-distance race in recent years.

She explained she asked it to design a regimen merging running and the weight training, and it produced an 11-week plan tailored to her event day and goals.

Leah then adjusted the plan to suit her daily routine, which she said was convenient.

The following year, she opted for a different tool because it was cheaper and she could consult it at any time. She finished a minute faster than her goal time.

She said she did not want feeling pressure from a live instructor.

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

A weightlifter

Significant Fitness Gains

In a similar case, Another individual, 23, from a Welsh city, 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 110kg.

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

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

The free tool built a workout and diet plan personalized to his goals, and created structured routines.

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

The Cost Comparison: Technology vs. Traditional Coaching

One recent study in the previous year compared costs for 17 of the biggest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, for standard memberships.

Prices ranged from £23 at the cheapest provider to £132 at the highest-priced.

Based on industry research, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically £30-£65 per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about £45-£65 in the capital.

Clients will often hire a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, but these agreements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Touch

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that live training provides.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his trainees also use AI.

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

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

Dafydd said AI can educate clients and make guidance more effective.

However, he argued real commitment comes when people appear physically for their sessions.

"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 place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.