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Leah Walsh

Following a festive period filled with rich foods and downtime, many people head into January looking to get their fitness back on track.

But, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be transforming the world of exercise by offering an alternative to personal trainers?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Schedules

One fitness enthusiast used 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 pose queries at all hours – something she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.

She relied on an AI-powered fitness application that gave her customized schedules with audio coaching and pace setting for her first long-distance race in 2024.

She said she requested it to design a plan merging cardio and the gym, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her event day and goals.

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

Subsequently, she opted for a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. She finished a full minute quicker than her goal time.

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

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

A weightlifter

Remarkable Fitness Gains

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has never felt stronger, boosting his chest press from 70kg to 110kg.

Richard turned to a bot for assistance after being forced to walk a race.

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

This no-cost application constructed a fitness and meal program personalized to his aims, and established organized workouts.

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

The Expense Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Training

A recent survey in the previous year analyzed costs for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, based on basic memberships.

Prices ranged from a lower price at the most affordable chain to £132 at the highest-priced.

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

Customers typically hire a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, but these agreements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Personal Element

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from Cardiff, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that live training offers.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his clients also employ technology.

"In my opinion it's very valuable, additional information is positive," he stated.

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

Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can educate clients and make guidance more effective.

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

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

For many, he suggested, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.