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A runner

Following a festive period filled with rich foods and downtime, many people head into the new year aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

But, could AI be changing the fitness industry by providing an alternative to human coaches?

Tailored Plans and Adaptable Schedules

Leah Walsh used an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The 21-year-old from a town in Wales said she appreciated the liberty to pose queries at all hours – something she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.

She relied on an AI-powered fitness application that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her first half marathon in recent years.

She explained she requested it to design a plan combining running and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week plan customized to her event day and goals.

Leah then adjusted the plan to suit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.

Subsequently, she opted for a different tool because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a full minute quicker than her goal time.

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

"Using AI you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she added.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Strength Improvements

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in Swansea, has been employing artificial intelligence for his exercise and nutrition programs, and reported he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

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

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

The free tool built a workout and diet plan personalized to his aims, and created organized workouts.

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

The Expense Contrast: Technology 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 approximately forty pounds per month, based on standard memberships.

Prices ranged from a lower price at the cheapest chain to £132 at the highest-priced.

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

Clients will often hire a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, however these agreements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Essential Personal Element

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from 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 offers.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned a number of his trainees also use AI.

"I think it's extremely useful, more knowledge is positive," he said.

"I think the more people are online the more they'll desire personal contact because they want the warmth from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he added.

Dafydd said Artificial intelligence can inform users and make guidance more effective.

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

"As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," Dafydd concluded.

For many, he suggested, the gym is a space to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.