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A runner

Following a festive period packed with rich foods and downtime, many people enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

However, could Artificial Intelligence be changing the world of exercise by offering an option to personal trainers?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Schedules

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

This young woman hailing from a town in Wales said she liked the liberty to ask it questions any time of day – a feature she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.

She used an AI-driven fitness application that provided her customized schedules with voice guidance and pace setting for her first long-distance race in recent years.

She explained she asked it to design a regimen combining cardio and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week programme customized to her event day and objectives.

The user then tweaked the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she described was highly practical.

Subsequently, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. She finished a full minute quicker than her goal time.

She noted 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.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Fitness Gains

In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, from a Welsh city, has been employing artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, boosting his bench press from 70kg to 110kg.

He turned to a AI assistant for assistance after being forced to walk a running event.

"I just knew I need to sort myself out," he commented.

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

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

The Cost Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Coaching

A recent study in late 2024 analyzed prices for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 per month, for standard memberships.

Fees started at a lower price at the cheapest chain to £132 at the most expensive.

Based on further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about £45-£65 in the capital.

Customers will often hire a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, however these agreements are completely flexible.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Personal Touch

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, based in the Welsh capital, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the personal interaction and accountability that live training provides.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He mentioned some of his clients also use technology.

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

"I believe the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll desire human connection because they crave the empathy from the comprehension that is absent from a machine," he continued.

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

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

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

For many, he said, the fitness center is a space to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.