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Leah Walsh

After a holiday period filled with rich foods and relaxation, numerous individuals enter the new year looking to get their fitness back on track.

However, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be changing the world of exercise by providing an alternative to human coaches?

Tailored Plans and Adaptable Timelines

Leah Walsh used an AI tool for impromptu preparation for the a major running event.

The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales explained she liked the freedom to pose queries at all hours – a feature she believed was not possible with a personal trainer.

She used an AI-powered running app that provided her personalised plans with audio coaching and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in 2024.

She explained she asked it to design a regimen merging cardio and the weight training, and it generated an 11-week programme tailored to her event day and goals.

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

Subsequently, she opted for a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a full minute quicker than her target finish.

She noted she did not want the pressure from a live instructor.

"Using AI you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she added.

Richard Gallimore

Significant Strength Gains

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

Richard turned to a AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a race.

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

The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan personalized to his goals, and established organized workouts.

"I train for about two hours 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 prices for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, for standard memberships.

Fees ranged from £23 at the most affordable chain to £132 at the highest-priced.

Based on industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, typically £30-£65 per hour-long session outside London and about a similar range in London.

Customers will often use a trainer once or twice a week and work with them for a short period, but these agreements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Human Touch

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from Cardiff, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that live training offers.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his trainees also employ technology.

"I think it's very valuable, additional information is positive," he stated.

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

Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can inform users and make coaching more effective.

However, he argued true dedication comes when people show up in person for their sessions.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he concluded.

For many, he suggested, the gym is a place to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.