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A runner

Following a festive period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals enter the new year looking to get their fitness back on track.

However, could Artificial Intelligence be transforming the fitness industry by offering an alternative to personal trainers?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Schedules

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

The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales explained she liked the liberty to pose queries at all hours – a feature she felt was not possible with a traditional coach.

She relied on an AI-powered fitness application that gave her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her first half marathon in 2024.

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

The user then adjusted the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.

The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions at any time. Her result was a full minute quicker than her target finish.

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

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

A weightlifter

Remarkable Strength Gains

Meanwhile, Another individual, 23, from a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.

He resorted to a AI assistant for assistance after being unable to run a race.

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

This no-cost application constructed a fitness and meal program tailored to his aims, and established structured routines.

"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he said.

The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Traditional Training

One recent survey in late 2024 compared costs for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was around £38 a month, for standard full-access plans.

Prices started at a lower price at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

According to further data, personal trainers determine their own fees, usually £30-£65 per hour-long session outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

Customers will often use a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, however these arrangements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Element

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the personal interaction and accountability that live training offers.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned a number of his trainees also employ AI.

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

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

Dafydd explained AI can educate clients and make guidance more effective.

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

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," Dafydd concluded.

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