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Leah Walsh

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

However, could Artificial Intelligence be changing the fitness industry by providing an option to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Timelines

One fitness enthusiast employed an AI tool for impromptu preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman from a town in Wales explained she appreciated the freedom to ask it questions any time of day – something she felt was not possible with a traditional coach.

Leah used an AI-powered running app that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.

She said she requested it to create a plan merging cardio and the weight training, and it generated an 11-week plan tailored to her event day and objectives.

The user then tweaked the plan to fit her daily routine, which she said was convenient.

Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a full minute quicker than her target finish.

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

"With artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she added.

A weightlifter

Significant Strength Gains

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in a Welsh city, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to 110kg.

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

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

This no-cost application constructed a workout and diet plan tailored 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 Contrast: AI vs. Conventional Coaching

A recent survey in the previous year analyzed costs for numerous of the biggest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, for standard memberships.

Fees ranged from £23 at the most affordable chain to £132 at the most expensive.

Based on further data, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically £30-£65 per hour-long session in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.

Customers typically hire a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, but these agreements are completely flexible.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Human Touch

Fitness coach one experienced professional, from the Welsh capital, said AI can be beneficial to accelerate results, but believes it will not supplant the human connection and accountability that live training provides.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in older adults and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned a number of his trainees also use AI.

"In my opinion it's very valuable, more knowledge is positive," he stated.

"I believe the more people are online the more they'll want human connection because they crave the empathy from the understanding that is missing from a computer," he added.

The trainer explained Artificial intelligence can educate users and make coaching more efficient.

But, he argued real commitment comes when people appear in person for training.

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

For many, he suggested, the fitness center is a space to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.