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Leah Walsh

After a festive period packed with indulgent treats and downtime, many people head into January looking to get their fitness back on track.

However, could AI be changing the fitness industry by providing an option to personal trainers?

Tailored Plans and Adaptable Schedules

Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for impromptu preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman hailing from a town in Wales explained she appreciated the liberty to pose queries at all hours – something she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.

Leah used an AI-powered running app that gave her customized schedules with voice guidance and speed targets for her first long-distance race in recent years.

She said she requested it to create a regimen merging running and the gym, and it generated an multi-week plan tailored to her race date and goals.

Leah then tweaked the plan to suit her lifestyle, which she said was convenient.

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

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

"Using AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.

A weightlifter

Significant Strength Improvements

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.

He turned to a bot for assistance after being unable to run a race.

"I realized I had to sort myself out," he commented.

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

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

The Expense Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Coaching

One recent study in late 2024 compared prices for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, for standard full-access plans.

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

According to further data, personal trainers set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.

Clients typically use a trainer once or twice a week and work with them for a short period, however these arrangements are completely flexible.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Human Touch

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and accountability that in-person coaching offers.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his trainees also use AI.

"I think it's very valuable, additional information is good," he stated.

"I think the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll desire personal contact because they want the empathy from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he continued.

The trainer explained Artificial intelligence can educate users and make guidance more efficient.

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

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd added.

For many, he suggested, the fitness center is a space to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.