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Leah Walsh

After a festive period packed with rich foods and downtime, many people enter January looking to get their fitness back on track.

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

Tailored Programs and Flexible Timelines

Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the a major running event.

This young woman from a town in Wales explained she appreciated the liberty to pose queries any time of day – a feature she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.

Leah relied on an AI-powered fitness application that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural half marathon in recent years.

She explained she asked it to design a regimen combining running and the gym, and it produced an multi-week programme tailored to her race date and goals.

Leah then tweaked the schedule to suit her daily routine, which she described was convenient.

The following year, she chose a different tool because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a full minute quicker than her goal time.

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

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

Richard Gallimore

Significant Fitness Gains

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, from a Welsh city, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from 70kg to 110kg.

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

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

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

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

The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional 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 cheapest chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

According to industry research, fitness coaches set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session outside London and about a similar range in London.

Clients typically use a coach one or two times a week and work with them for a few months, but these agreements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Human Element

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will never replace the personal interaction and accountability that in-person coaching provides.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in older adults and injury rehabilitation. He said some of his clients also employ AI.

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

"I think the more people are online the more they'll desire personal contact because they crave the warmth from the understanding that is absent from a computer," he added.

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

But, he argued real commitment comes when people show up in person for their sessions.

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," Dafydd concluded.

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