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Leah Walsh

Following a holiday period filled with rich foods and relaxation, many people enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

However, is it possible that AI be changing the fitness industry by providing an alternative to human coaches?

Personalized Programs and Adaptable Schedules

Leah Walsh used an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The 21-year-old from Aberdare said she liked the liberty to pose queries at all hours – a feature she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.

Leah relied on an AI-powered running app that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her first half marathon in 2024.

She said she asked it to create a plan combining running and the gym, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her race date and goals.

Leah then adjusted the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she described was highly practical.

The following year, she opted for a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a full minute quicker than her goal time.

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

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

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Fitness Improvements

In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, based in a Welsh city, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from 70kg to 110kg.

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

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

The free tool built 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 prices for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, based on basic memberships.

Fees started at a lower price at the most affordable provider to £132 at the highest-priced.

According to further data, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically £30-£65 per hour-long appointment outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

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

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Touch

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, based in the Welsh capital, acknowledged AI can be useful to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and responsibility that live training provides.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his clients also employ AI.

"I think it's extremely useful, additional information is positive," he said.

"I believe the more that people are online the more they'll desire human connection because they crave the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a computer," he continued.

Dafydd said AI can inform clients and make guidance more effective.

However, he argued true dedication comes when people show up physically for training.

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

In the view of many, he suggested, the fitness center is a place to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.