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Leah Walsh

After a holiday period packed with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals enter January aiming to get their fitness back on track.

But, is it possible that AI be changing the world of exercise by providing an option to personal trainers?

Personalized Programs and Adaptable Timelines

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

The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare said she appreciated the freedom to pose queries at all hours – something she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.

She used an AI-driven running app that provided her personalised plans with audio coaching and pace setting for her inaugural half marathon in recent years.

She explained she requested it to design a plan merging running and the gym, and it generated an 11-week programme tailored to her race date and objectives.

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

The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could consult it at any time. She finished a full minute quicker than her target finish.

She noted she did not want the pressure from a human personal trainer.

"Using AI you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she added.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Fitness Gains

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has never felt stronger, increasing his chest press from 70kg to 110kg.

He turned to a AI assistant for help after being unable to run a running event.

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

This no-cost application built a fitness and meal program personalized to his aims, and established structured routines.

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

The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Training

One recent survey in the previous year analyzed costs for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, for basic memberships.

Prices ranged from £23 at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.

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

Clients will often use a coach one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, but these agreements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Element

Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in the Welsh capital, said AI can be useful to speed up progress, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and accountability that in-person coaching provides.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, focuses on senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said some of his trainees also use technology.

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

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

Dafydd explained AI can inform users and make guidance more effective.

But, he said real commitment comes when people appear physically for their sessions.

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he added.

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