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Leah Walsh

After a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals head into January looking to regain their fitness momentum.

However, could AI be changing the fitness industry by offering an alternative to personal trainers?

Tailored Programs and Adaptable Schedules

Leah Walsh used an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the a major running event.

This young woman hailing from Aberdare said she appreciated the freedom to pose queries any time of day – something she felt was unavailable with a traditional coach.

Leah used an AI-powered running app that gave her customized schedules with audio coaching and pace setting for her first half marathon in recent years.

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

The user then tweaked the schedule to suit her daily routine, which she said was convenient.

Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was more affordable and she could consult it whenever she wanted. She finished a full minute quicker than her target finish.

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

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

A weightlifter

Significant Fitness Improvements

Meanwhile, Another individual, 23, based in Swansea, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from 70kg to 110kg.

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

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

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

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

The Expense Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Training

A recent study in late 2024 analyzed prices for 17 of the biggest gym brands and found the average membership cost was around £38 a month, for basic memberships.

Fees started at £23 at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.

Based on industry research, personal trainers determine their own fees, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per hour-long session in most areas and about a similar range in London.

Clients will often use a trainer once or twice a week and work with them for a short period, however these arrangements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Element

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that live training offers.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned a number of his clients also employ AI.

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

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

Dafydd explained AI can educate users and make coaching more effective.

However, he said real commitment comes when people show up in person for training.

"As useful as it is at 2am, 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 space to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.