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A runner

Following a holiday period packed with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals enter January aiming to get their fitness back on track.

However, could AI be changing the fitness industry by offering an alternative to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Flexible Schedules

Leah Walsh used an artificial intelligence application for last-minute training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman hailing from Aberdare said she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.

Leah relied on an AI-driven fitness application that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her first long-distance race in 2024.

She said she asked it to create a plan merging running and the gym, and it generated an multi-week plan tailored to her race date and objectives.

The user then adjusted the plan to fit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.

The following year, she chose a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could consult it whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her goal time.

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

"With artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she added.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Strength Improvements

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in Swansea, has been using artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.

Richard turned to a bot for assistance 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 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 survey in late 2024 analyzed costs for 17 of the largest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was around £38 a month, based on standard full-access plans.

Fees started at £23 at the most affordable provider to £132 at the highest-priced.

Based on further data, personal trainers set their own rates, typically £30-£65 per hour-long appointment outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

Clients will often hire a coach one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, however these agreements are completely flexible.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Human Element

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, said artificial intelligence can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and accountability that live training provides.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a coach, focuses on senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his clients also use technology.

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

"I think the more people are connected digitally the more they'll want human connection because they crave the empathy from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he added.

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

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

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he added.

For many, he suggested, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.