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Leah Walsh

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

However, could AI be changing the world of exercise by providing an option to human coaches?

Personalized Programs and Adaptable Timelines

Leah Walsh employed an artificial intelligence application for impromptu training for the a major running event.

This young woman from a town in Wales explained she liked the freedom to ask it questions any time of day – something she felt was unavailable with a traditional coach.

Leah used an AI-driven fitness application that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural half marathon in recent years.

She explained she asked it to design a regimen combining running and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week programme tailored to her race date and objectives.

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 cheaper and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a full minute quicker than her target finish.

She said she wanted to avoid feeling pressure from a live instructor.

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

A weightlifter

Remarkable Strength Improvements

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has never felt stronger, boosting his bench press from 70kg to 110kg.

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

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

This no-cost application built a workout and diet plan personalized to his aims, and established organized workouts.

"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.

The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Traditional Coaching

A recent study in the previous year compared costs for 17 of the biggest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, based on standard memberships.

Fees started at a lower price at the most affordable provider 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 45-60 minute appointment in most areas and about a similar range in the capital.

Clients typically use a trainer once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, but these arrangements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Essential Personal Element

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be useful to accelerate results, but believes it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that live training offers.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a coach, focuses on senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his trainees also employ AI.

"I think it's extremely useful, more knowledge is good," 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 missing from a machine," he continued.

The trainer explained AI can educate clients and make guidance more effective.

But, he argued real commitment comes when people show up physically for training.

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he concluded.

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