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A runner

After a festive period filled with rich foods and relaxation, numerous individuals enter January looking to regain their fitness momentum.

But, could AI be transforming the fitness industry by offering an alternative to personal trainers?

Personalized Plans and Adaptable Schedules

One fitness enthusiast used an AI tool for last-minute training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The 21-year-old from Aberdare explained she appreciated the liberty to pose queries any time of day – a feature she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.

She relied on an AI-driven running app that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural half marathon in 2024.

She said she requested it to create a regimen merging running and the gym, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her race date and goals.

Leah then tweaked the plan to suit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.

Subsequently, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions at any time. She finished a full minute quicker than her target finish.

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

"Using AI you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she remarked.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Strength Improvements

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in Swansea, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from 70kg to 110kg.

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

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

This no-cost application built a fitness and meal program tailored to his goals, and created organized workouts.

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

The Cost Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Training

A recent study in late 2024 compared prices for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, based on basic memberships.

Fees ranged from a lower price at the cheapest chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

According to industry research, personal trainers set their own rates, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session in most areas and about a similar range in London.

Clients typically use a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, however these agreements are completely flexible.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Personal Touch

Fitness coach one experienced professional, from the Welsh capital, said artificial intelligence can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the human connection and accountability that live training provides.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a coach, specialises in older adults and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his clients also employ AI.

"I think it's extremely useful, additional information is good," he said.

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

The trainer said AI can educate users and make guidance more efficient.

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

"As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he concluded.

For many, he suggested, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.