🔗 Share this article

Leah Walsh

Following a holiday period filled with rich foods and relaxation, numerous individuals head into January looking to regain their fitness momentum.

However, is it possible that AI be transforming the fitness industry by providing an alternative to personal trainers?

Tailored Plans and Adaptable Timelines

One fitness enthusiast used an artificial intelligence application for last-minute training for the a major running event.

This young woman hailing from a town in Wales said she liked the liberty to pose queries any time of day – something she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.

Leah used an AI-driven running app that provided her personalised plans with audio coaching and speed targets for her first half marathon in recent years.

She said she asked it to design a plan combining cardio and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week plan tailored to her race date and goals.

The user then tweaked the plan to suit 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 at any time. Her result was a minute faster than her target finish.

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

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

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Fitness Improvements

Meanwhile, Another individual, 23, from a Welsh city, has been employing artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

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

"I realized I had to get myself in shape," he said.

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

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

The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Traditional Training

A recent study in the previous year compared costs for numerous of the largest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, based on basic full-access plans.

Prices ranged from a lower price at the cheapest chain to £132 at the most expensive.

According to further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically £30-£65 per 45-60 minute session outside London and about £45-£65 in the capital.

Clients will often use a coach once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, however these arrangements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Essential Human Touch

Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in Cardiff, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that live training provides.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, focuses on senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned a number of his clients also employ AI.

"In my opinion it's extremely useful, more knowledge is good," he said.

"I believe the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll want personal contact because they want the empathy from the comprehension that is absent from a computer," he continued.

The trainer explained AI can inform clients and make coaching more effective.

However, he argued true dedication comes when people appear physically for their sessions.

"As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," Dafydd concluded.

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