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Leah Walsh

After a holiday period filled with rich foods and relaxation, many people enter January aiming to get their fitness back on track.

However, could AI be transforming the world of exercise by providing an alternative to personal trainers?

Personalized Programs and Adaptable Schedules

One fitness enthusiast used an AI tool for last-minute training for the a major running event.

The 21-year-old from Aberdare explained she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – something she believed was not possible with a personal trainer.

Leah used an AI-driven running app that provided her customized schedules with audio coaching and pace setting for her first long-distance race in recent years.

She explained she requested it to create a regimen merging running and the weight training, and it produced an multi-week programme customized to her race date and objectives.

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

The following year, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it at any time. She finished a minute faster than her goal time.

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

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

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Fitness Improvements

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in Swansea, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, 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 assistance after being forced to walk a running event.

"I just knew I need to get myself in shape," he commented.

The free tool 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 real difference," he said.

The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional Training

A recent survey in the previous year analyzed costs for 17 of the largest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, for basic memberships.

Prices started at £23 at the most affordable provider to £132 at the most expensive.

According to further data, personal trainers set their own rates, typically £30-£65 per hour-long appointment in most areas and about a similar range in the capital.

Customers will often hire a trainer one or two times a week and work with them for a few months, however these arrangements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Essential Human Touch

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be useful to accelerate results, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that in-person coaching offers.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his trainees also employ technology.

"In my opinion it's very valuable, additional information is positive," he said.

"I think the more that people are online 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 educate clients and make coaching more efficient.

But, he said true dedication comes when people show up in person for training.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd added.

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