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Leah Walsh

After a festive period filled with rich foods and downtime, many people enter the new year aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

But, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be changing the fitness industry by offering an option to human coaches?

Tailored Programs and Flexible Schedules

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

This young woman hailing from a town in Wales said she liked the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – something she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.

She used an AI-driven fitness application that provided her personalised plans with audio coaching and pace setting for her first half marathon in recent years.

She said she asked it to design a regimen merging cardio and the gym, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her race date and goals.

The user then tweaked the schedule to fit her daily routine, which she said was highly practical.

The following year, she opted for a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could consult it at any time. She finished a full minute quicker than her goal time.

She said she did not want feeling pressure from a live instructor.

"With AI you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she remarked.

Richard Gallimore

Significant Strength Improvements

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been employing artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.

Richard turned to a bot for help after being forced to walk a running event.

"I just knew I need to sort myself out," he commented.

The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan personalized to his goals, and established structured routines.

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

The Expense Contrast: AI vs. Conventional Training

A recent study in late 2024 compared prices for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, based on standard memberships.

Prices ranged from £23 at the cheapest chain to £132 at the highest-priced.

Based on industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, usually £30-£65 per 45-60 minute appointment outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

Customers will often hire a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, but these arrangements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Human Element

Fitness coach one experienced professional, from Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but believes it will not supplant the human connection and responsibility that live training offers.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his clients also use technology.

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

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

The trainer explained AI can inform users and make coaching more effective.

However, he argued true dedication comes when people show up in person for their sessions.

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, 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 leave phones behind and take a break from technology.