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A runner

After a holiday period packed with indulgent treats and relaxation, numerous individuals enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

However, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be changing the fitness industry by providing an alternative to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Schedules

One fitness enthusiast used an artificial intelligence application for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman from Aberdare explained she liked the freedom to ask it questions at all hours – something she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.

Leah used an AI-powered fitness application that gave her customized schedules with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural 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 programme customized to her race date and goals.

The user then adjusted the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she said was highly practical.

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

She noted she did not want feeling pressure from a human personal trainer.

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

A weightlifter

Remarkable Fitness Gains

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in Swansea, has been employing artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

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

"I just knew I had to sort myself out," he said.

The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan personalized to his aims, and established structured routines.

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

The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional Coaching

A recent survey in the previous year compared prices for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 a month, for basic full-access plans.

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

Based on industry research, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically £30-£65 per 45-60 minute session outside London and about £45-£65 in London.

Clients typically use a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a short period, however these agreements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Irreplaceable Human Touch

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, based in the Welsh capital, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be useful to accelerate results, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and accountability that in-person coaching offers.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on senior clients and recovery from injuries. He mentioned a number of his trainees also use technology.

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

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

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

However, he said true dedication comes when people show up in person for training.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd added.

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