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Leah Walsh

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

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

Tailored Plans and Flexible Timelines

Leah Walsh used an artificial intelligence application for last-minute training for the a major running event.

This young woman from a town in Wales said she liked the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she believed was not possible with a personal trainer.

Leah used an AI-powered fitness application that provided her customized schedules with audio coaching and speed targets for her first long-distance race in 2024.

She said she requested it to design a regimen combining cardio and the gym, and it produced an 11-week plan customized to her race date and objectives.

Leah then adjusted the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she said was convenient.

The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could consult it at any time. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.

She said she wanted to avoid the pressure from a live instructor.

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

A weightlifter

Remarkable Strength Gains

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, from a Welsh city, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

He resorted to a AI assistant for assistance after being forced to walk a race.

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

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

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

The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Traditional Training

A recent survey in the previous year compared prices for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, for basic memberships.

Fees started at £23 at the most affordable provider to £132 at the highest-priced.

According to further data, personal trainers determine their own fees, typically £30-£65 per hour-long appointment outside London and about a similar range in London.

Clients will often hire a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, but these arrangements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Essential Personal Element

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but believes it will never replace the personal interaction and accountability that in-person coaching offers.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said some of his clients also employ AI.

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

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

The trainer explained AI can inform clients and make guidance more efficient.

But, he said real commitment comes when people show up in person for training.

"No matter how helpful 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 space to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.