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Leah Walsh

Following a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals enter January looking to regain their fitness momentum.

However, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be changing the fitness industry by offering an alternative to personal trainers?

Personalized Programs and Adaptable Schedules

One fitness enthusiast used an artificial intelligence application for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman from a town in Wales explained she appreciated the freedom to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.

She used an AI-powered running app that provided her personalised plans with audio coaching and pace setting for her first half marathon in 2024.

She explained she requested it to create a plan merging running and the weight training, and it generated an 11-week plan customized to her event day and objectives.

The user then tweaked the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she said was convenient.

Subsequently, she opted for a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could consult it at any time. She finished a full minute quicker than her target finish.

She said she did not want the 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 Improvements

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in Swansea, has been employing artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from 70kg 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.

This no-cost application constructed a fitness and meal program tailored to his goals, and created structured routines.

"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.

The Expense Contrast: Technology vs. Conventional Training

A recent survey in the previous year analyzed prices for numerous of the largest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, based on basic full-access plans.

Prices ranged from a lower price at the most affordable provider to a premium rate at the most expensive.

Based on further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically £30-£65 per hour-long appointment outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

Clients will often use a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, but these arrangements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Element

Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in Cardiff, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and accountability that live training provides.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his clients also use AI.

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

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

Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can educate clients and make guidance more effective.

But, he argued true dedication comes when people appear in person 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," he added.

In the view of many, he said, the fitness center is a place to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.