🔗 Share this article

Leah Walsh

After a holiday period packed with rich foods and downtime, numerous individuals enter January looking to get their fitness back on track.

However, could AI be transforming the fitness industry by offering an option to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Timelines

One fitness enthusiast used an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman from a town in Wales explained she liked the freedom to pose queries at all hours – something she felt was unavailable with a traditional coach.

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

She said she asked it to create a plan merging cardio and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week programme tailored to her event day and goals.

Leah then adjusted the plan to suit her daily routine, which she described was convenient.

The following year, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it at any time. Her result was a minute faster than her target finish.

She said she wanted to avoid the pressure from a human personal trainer.

"Using artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.

A weightlifter

Remarkable Strength Improvements

In a similar case, Another individual, 23, based in Swansea, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from 70kg to 110kg.

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

"I just knew I had to sort myself out," he said.

This no-cost application constructed a workout and diet plan tailored to his aims, and established organized workouts.

"I train for about two hours a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.

The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional Training

One recent study in late 2024 compared costs for 17 of the biggest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 a month, for standard memberships.

Prices started at £23 at the cheapest provider to £132 at the highest-priced.

According to further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually £30-£65 per 45-60 minute appointment in most areas and about a similar range in London.

Customers will often use a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, however these arrangements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Irreplaceable Personal Touch

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will never replace the personal interaction and accountability that live training offers.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a coach, specialises in older adults and injury rehabilitation. He said some of his trainees also use AI.

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

"I believe the more that people are online the more they'll desire personal contact because they want the warmth from the understanding that is missing from a machine," he continued.

Dafydd explained AI can educate users and make coaching more effective.

However, he said true dedication comes when people appear in person for their sessions.

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," he concluded.

For many, he suggested, the fitness center is a space to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.