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A runner

After a festive 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 transforming the world of exercise by providing an option to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Timelines

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

The 21-year-old from Aberdare explained she liked the freedom to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she felt was not possible with a traditional coach.

Leah used an AI-powered fitness application that provided her customized schedules with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural half marathon in 2024.

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

The user then adjusted the schedule to suit her lifestyle, which she said was convenient.

Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a full minute quicker than her target finish.

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

"With AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.

Richard Gallimore

Significant Strength Improvements

Meanwhile, Another individual, in his twenties, based in Swansea, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his chest press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

Richard resorted to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a race.

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

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

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

The Cost Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Coaching

A recent study in the previous year compared costs for 17 of the largest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, for basic memberships.

Fees ranged from £23 at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.

Based on industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session outside London and about £45-£65 in London.

Customers typically hire a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, however these agreements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Essential Human Element

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and accountability that live training provides.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a coach, specialises in older adults and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned some of his clients also use AI.

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

"I think the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll desire personal contact because they want the empathy from the understanding that is missing from a computer," he added.

Dafydd said Artificial intelligence can inform users and make guidance more efficient.

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 cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," he concluded.

For many, he said, the gym is a place to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.