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A runner

After a holiday period packed with rich foods and downtime, many people head into the new year aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

However, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be transforming the fitness industry by offering an option to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Schedules

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

The 21-year-old hailing from a town in Wales said she liked the freedom to ask it questions at all hours – something she felt was unavailable with a personal trainer.

She used an AI-powered running app that gave her customized schedules with voice guidance and speed targets for her first half marathon in recent years.

She explained she requested it to design a plan combining cardio and the weight training, and it produced an multi-week programme tailored to her race date and objectives.

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

Subsequently, she opted for a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a minute faster than her goal time.

She said she did not want feeling pressure from a live instructor.

"Using artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she added.

A weightlifter

Remarkable Fitness Improvements

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in Swansea, has been using artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, boosting his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

Richard resorted to a bot for help after being unable to run a race.

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

This no-cost application built a workout and diet plan personalized to his goals, and created structured routines.

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

The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Conventional Coaching

One recent survey in the previous year compared prices for 17 of the largest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, for basic full-access plans.

Fees ranged from £23 at the cheapest provider to £132 at the most expensive.

Based on industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, usually £30-£65 per hour-long appointment outside London and about £45-£65 in London.

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

A personal trainer

The Essential Human Touch

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that in-person coaching provides.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned a number of his clients also use technology.

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

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

The trainer explained Artificial intelligence can inform users and make guidance more effective.

However, he argued real commitment comes when people show up physically for training.

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," Dafydd added.

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