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Leah Walsh

After a festive period filled with rich foods and downtime, numerous individuals head into January aiming to get their fitness back on track.

However, could AI be changing the world of exercise by offering an option to human coaches?

Tailored Programs and Adaptable Timelines

One fitness enthusiast employed an artificial intelligence application for impromptu training for the a major running event.

This young woman from a town in Wales explained she liked the liberty to pose queries any time of day – a feature she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.

She relied on an AI-driven fitness application that provided her customized schedules with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.

She said she asked it to design a regimen combining running and the gym, and it produced an 11-week programme customized to her race date and goals.

The user then tweaked the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she described was highly practical.

Subsequently, she opted for a different tool because it was cheaper and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her target finish.

She noted she did not want the pressure from a human personal trainer.

"Using artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she added.

A weightlifter

Remarkable Fitness Gains

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from a Welsh city, has been employing artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has never felt stronger, boosting his chest press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

Richard turned to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a race.

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

This no-cost application built a fitness and meal program personalized to his goals, and created organized workouts.

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

The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Conventional Training

One recent survey 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 basic memberships.

Fees ranged from £23 at the cheapest provider to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

According to industry research, personal trainers set their own rates, usually £30-£65 per hour-long session in most areas and about a similar range in London.

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

A personal trainer

The Essential Human Touch

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that live training offers.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a coach, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said some of his trainees also employ AI.

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

"I believe the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll want personal contact because they crave the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a machine," he added.

Dafydd explained AI can educate clients and make coaching more efficient.

But, he argued true dedication comes when people show up in person for training.

"As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," Dafydd concluded.

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