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A runner

Following a festive period filled with rich foods and relaxation, many people head into the new year aiming to get their fitness back on track.

But, could Artificial Intelligence be changing the world of exercise by offering an alternative to human coaches?

Tailored Programs and Adaptable Timelines

Leah Walsh used an AI tool for last-minute training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman from Aberdare explained she liked the liberty to pose queries at all hours – something she felt was not possible with a traditional coach.

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

She said she asked it to design a plan merging cardio and the weight training, and it produced an multi-week plan tailored to her race date and goals.

Leah then tweaked the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.

The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a full minute quicker than her goal time.

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

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

A weightlifter

Remarkable Fitness Gains

In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, from Swansea, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

He resorted to a AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a running event.

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

The free tool constructed a fitness and meal program personalized to his aims, and established organized workouts.

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

The Cost Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Coaching

A recent study in the previous year analyzed prices for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, for standard full-access plans.

Fees started at a lower price at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.

Based on further data, personal trainers determine their own fees, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

Customers will often use a coach one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, however these arrangements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Irreplaceable Personal Touch

Fitness coach one experienced professional, from the Welsh capital, said AI can be beneficial to accelerate results, but believes it will never replace the personal interaction and accountability that in-person coaching provides.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He said some of his clients also employ AI.

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

"I believe the more people are connected digitally the more they'll want personal contact because they want the empathy from the comprehension that is missing from a machine," he continued.

The trainer explained AI can educate clients and make coaching more effective.

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

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he added.

For many, he suggested, the gym is a space to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.