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A runner

After a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and relaxation, numerous individuals enter the new year looking to get their fitness back on track.

But, is it possible that AI be changing the world of exercise by providing an alternative to human coaches?

Tailored Programs and Flexible Timelines

One fitness enthusiast used an AI tool for impromptu preparation for the a major running event.

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

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

She said she requested it to design a regimen combining running and the weight training, and it generated an 11-week plan tailored to her race date and goals.

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

Subsequently, she opted for a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. She finished a minute faster than her goal time.

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

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

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Strength Gains

Meanwhile, Another individual, 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 110kg.

Richard resorted to a bot for help after being forced to walk a race.

"I realized I need to get myself in shape," 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 said.

The Expense Contrast: AI vs. Conventional Coaching

A recent survey in the previous year compared costs for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, for basic memberships.

Fees started at a lower price at the cheapest chain to £132 at the most expensive.

Based on further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute appointment in most areas and about a similar range in the capital.

Customers typically use a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a short period, however these agreements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Essential Personal Element

Fitness coach one experienced professional, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction 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 said some of his trainees also use AI.

"I think it's very valuable, more knowledge is positive," he stated.

"I think the more that people are online the more they'll want human connection because they want the empathy from the comprehension that is absent from a machine," he continued.

The trainer explained AI can educate users and make coaching more efficient.

But, he said true dedication comes when people show up in person for their sessions.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he concluded.

For many, he said, the fitness center is a place to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.