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A runner

After a festive period packed with indulgent treats and relaxation, many people enter the new year 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 last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

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

She used an AI-powered running app that gave her customized schedules with voice guidance and pace setting for her first long-distance race in recent years.

She said she asked it to design a plan combining running and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week plan customized to her event day and objectives.

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

Subsequently, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. Her result was 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 quite like," she added.

A weightlifter

Significant Fitness Improvements

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, from a Welsh city, has been employing artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

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

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

This no-cost application constructed a workout and diet plan tailored to his aims, and created structured routines.

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

The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Traditional Coaching

A recent survey in the previous year compared costs for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, based on standard memberships.

Prices started at a lower price at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

According to further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually £30-£65 per hour-long session in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.

Clients will often hire a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, but these agreements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Touch

Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and accountability that in-person coaching offers.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said some of his clients also use technology.

"In my opinion it's extremely useful, additional information is good," he said.

"I believe the more that people are online the more they'll desire human connection because they want the warmth from the comprehension that is absent from a machine," he continued.

The trainer said Artificial intelligence can educate clients and make coaching more effective.

However, he said real commitment comes when people appear in person for their sessions.

"As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," Dafydd concluded.

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