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Leah Walsh

Following a festive period filled with rich foods and relaxation, many people head into January looking to regain their fitness momentum.

However, could Artificial Intelligence be changing the world of exercise by offering an option to personal trainers?

Tailored Plans and Adaptable Timelines

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

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

She relied on an AI-driven fitness application that gave her customized schedules with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural half marathon in 2024.

She said she requested it to create a plan merging cardio and the weight training, and it generated an 11-week plan tailored to her event day and goals.

Leah then tweaked the plan to suit her daily routine, which she said was highly practical.

The following year, she chose a different tool because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.

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

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

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Fitness Gains

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been using artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has never felt stronger, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

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

"I just knew I need to get myself in shape," he said.

The free tool built a fitness and meal program tailored to his aims, and created structured routines.

"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he said.

The Cost Contrast: AI vs. Conventional Training

One recent study in the previous year compared costs for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 a month, based on basic memberships.

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

According to industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long appointment outside London and about a similar range in London.

Customers will often hire a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, however these arrangements are completely flexible.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Personal Element

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the personal interaction and accountability that live training offers.

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

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

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

Dafydd said AI can educate users and make coaching more efficient.

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

"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he concluded.

For many, he said, the gym is a place to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.