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A runner

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

However, is it possible that AI be transforming the world of exercise by offering an option to personal trainers?

Tailored Plans and Adaptable Schedules

Leah Walsh employed an artificial intelligence application for last-minute training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman from Aberdare said she appreciated the liberty to pose queries any time of day – a feature she felt was not possible with a traditional coach.

Leah used an AI-powered running app that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her first half marathon in 2024.

She said she requested it to design a regimen combining running and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week plan customized to her event day and goals.

Leah then adjusted the plan to suit her lifestyle, which she described was highly practical.

The following year, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her goal time.

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

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

A weightlifter

Remarkable Strength Gains

In a similar case, Another individual, 23, from Swansea, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

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

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

The free tool constructed a fitness and meal program personalized to his aims, and created structured routines.

"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he added.

The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Training

A recent survey in the previous year compared prices for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, based on standard full-access plans.

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

According to industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.

Clients will often hire a trainer once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, but these arrangements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Essential Personal Element

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will never replace the personal interaction and accountability that in-person coaching offers.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, focuses on senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said some of his clients also use technology.

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

"I think the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll want personal contact because they crave the warmth from the understanding that is missing from a machine," he continued.

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

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

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," Dafydd added.

In the view of many, he suggested, the gym is a space to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.