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Leah Walsh

After a festive period filled with indulgent treats and relaxation, numerous individuals head into the new year aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

But, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be transforming the world of exercise by offering an alternative to human coaches?

Tailored Plans and Flexible Schedules

Leah Walsh employed an artificial intelligence application for impromptu preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman hailing from Aberdare said she liked the liberty to pose queries at all hours – a feature she felt was not possible with a traditional coach.

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

She said she requested it to create a plan combining running and the gym, and it generated an multi-week programme customized to her event day and goals.

The user then tweaked the schedule to suit her lifestyle, which she described was highly practical.

Subsequently, she chose a alternative application because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a full minute quicker than her target finish.

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

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

Richard Gallimore

Significant Fitness Improvements

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his chest press from a lower weight to a much heavier load.

He resorted to a AI assistant for help after being unable to run a running event.

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

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

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

The Cost Comparison: AI vs. Conventional Coaching

A recent study in the previous year compared prices for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, based on basic memberships.

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

Based on industry research, personal trainers set their own rates, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute appointment in most areas and about a similar range in the capital.

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

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Human Touch

Fitness coach one experienced professional, 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 live training provides.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and injury rehabilitation. He said a number of his clients also use technology.

"In my opinion it's very valuable, additional information is good," he said.

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

The trainer explained AI can educate clients and make guidance more efficient.

But, he argued real commitment comes when people appear physically for training.

"As useful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd concluded.

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