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Leah Walsh

Following a holiday period filled with rich foods and relaxation, many people head into the new year aiming to get their fitness back on track.

However, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be changing the fitness industry by providing an option to personal trainers?

Tailored Programs and Adaptable Timelines

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

This young woman hailing from a town in Wales explained she liked the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.

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

She said she requested it to design a regimen combining running and the gym, and it generated an 11-week programme customized to her event day and goals.

Leah then tweaked the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.

The following year, she chose a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it at any time. She finished a full minute quicker than her target finish.

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

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

A weightlifter

Remarkable Strength Improvements

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in Swansea, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

He turned to a AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a race.

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

The free tool constructed a fitness and meal program personalized to his aims, and established organized workouts.

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

The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Coaching

A recent study in late 2024 analyzed costs for numerous of the biggest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, based on basic full-access plans.

Fees ranged from a lower price at the cheapest chain to £132 at the most expensive.

According to industry research, personal trainers set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long appointment outside London and about £45-£65 in London.

Customers typically hire a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a short period, but these arrangements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Irreplaceable Personal Element

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

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

"In my opinion it's very valuable, more knowledge is positive," he stated.

"I think the more people are online the more they'll want personal contact because they crave the warmth from the comprehension that is absent from a computer," he continued.

Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can inform clients and make coaching more effective.

However, he said true dedication comes when people appear in person for training.

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," he concluded.

In the view of many, he suggested, the gym is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.