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Leah Walsh

Following a holiday period packed with indulgent treats and downtime, many people head into January looking to regain their fitness momentum.

But, could Artificial Intelligence be transforming the world of exercise by providing an alternative to personal trainers?

Tailored Programs and Adaptable Timelines

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

This young woman hailing from a town in Wales said she liked 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 fitness application that provided her customized schedules with voice guidance and speed targets for her first long-distance race in 2024.

She explained she requested it to design a regimen combining cardio and the gym, and it generated an multi-week programme tailored to her event day and goals.

The user then tweaked the schedule to suit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.

The following year, she chose a different tool because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a minute faster than her goal time.

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

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

Richard Gallimore

Significant Strength Gains

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, from Swansea, has been employing artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

Richard resorted to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a running event.

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

This no-cost application built a workout and diet plan tailored to his aims, and established organized workouts.

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

The Expense Contrast: AI vs. Conventional Training

One recent study in the previous year compared costs for numerous of the biggest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, based on basic full-access plans.

Prices started at a lower price at the cheapest chain to £132 at the most expensive.

Based on industry research, personal trainers set their own rates, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute appointment in most areas and about a similar range in London.

Clients will often use a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, but these arrangements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Human Touch

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

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned some of his clients also use AI.

"In my opinion it's extremely useful, additional information is good," he stated.

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

The trainer said Artificial intelligence can inform users and make coaching more efficient.

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

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," Dafydd added.

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