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A runner

Following a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and relaxation, many people enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

However, is it possible that AI be changing the fitness industry by offering an alternative to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Adaptable Timelines

Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for last-minute training for the a major running event.

The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare said she liked the freedom to pose queries at all hours – a feature she felt was not possible with a personal trainer.

Leah relied on an AI-driven running app that provided her customized schedules with voice guidance and speed targets for her inaugural half marathon in recent years.

She said she asked it to design a regimen combining cardio and the gym, and it produced an 11-week plan tailored to her event day and objectives.

Leah then tweaked the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.

The following year, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a full minute quicker than her target finish.

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

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

Richard Gallimore

Significant Strength Gains

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in Swansea, has been employing artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, boosting his chest press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

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

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

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

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

The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Traditional Coaching

A recent survey in late 2024 compared prices for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 a month, based on basic memberships.

Fees started at a lower price at the cheapest provider to a premium rate at the most expensive.

Based on industry research, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

Customers typically hire a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, but these agreements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Human Touch

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from Cardiff, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the human connection and accountability that in-person coaching offers.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his clients also use technology.

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

"I think the more people are online the more they'll desire human connection 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 argued real commitment comes when people appear physically for training.

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," Dafydd concluded.

In the view of many, he said, the fitness center is a place to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.