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Leah Walsh

Following a holiday period filled with rich foods and relaxation, many people enter the new year 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 Programs and Flexible Timelines

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

This young woman from a town in Wales said she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – something she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.

Leah relied on an AI-driven fitness application that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her first half marathon in recent years.

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

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

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

She said she did not want feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.

"With AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she added.

A weightlifter

Remarkable Fitness Gains

In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, based in Swansea, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has never felt stronger, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.

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

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

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

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

The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Coaching

A recent study in late 2024 analyzed prices for 17 of the largest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was around £38 a month, based on standard memberships.

Fees ranged from a lower price at the cheapest chain to £132 at the highest-priced.

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

Clients will often hire a trainer one or two times a week and collaborate for a short period, but these agreements are completely flexible.

Dafydd Judd

The Irreplaceable Personal Element

Personal trainer one experienced professional, based in Cardiff, said AI can be useful to accelerate results, but believes it will never replace the human connection and accountability that in-person coaching offers.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He mentioned some of his trainees also employ AI.

"I think it's very valuable, more knowledge is positive," he said.

"I think the more people are connected digitally the more they'll want human connection because they want the warmth from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he continued.

Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can inform clients and make coaching more efficient.

But, he said real commitment comes when people show up physically for their sessions.

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer 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 take a break from technology.