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Leah Walsh

After a festive period filled with indulgent treats and downtime, numerous individuals enter January looking to get their fitness back on track.

However, could AI be transforming the fitness industry by offering an option to personal trainers?

Personalized Plans and Adaptable Schedules

One fitness enthusiast employed an AI tool for last-minute training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The 21-year-old from Aberdare said she appreciated the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – something she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.

She used an AI-driven running app that provided her personalised plans with audio coaching and speed targets for her first half marathon in recent years.

She said she requested it to create a regimen merging running and the gym, and it produced an 11-week programme tailored to her race date and objectives.

Leah then adjusted the schedule 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 ask it questions at any time. She finished a full minute quicker than her goal time.

She noted she did not want the pressure from a live instructor.

"With artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she added.

A weightlifter

Significant Strength Improvements

In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, from Swansea, has been using 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 AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a running event.

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

The free tool constructed a fitness and meal program tailored to his goals, and established structured routines.

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

The Cost Comparison: Technology vs. Traditional Training

A recent survey in late 2024 analyzed prices for numerous of the largest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 a month, based on standard full-access plans.

Fees ranged from £23 at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the most expensive.

Based on industry research, personal trainers 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 the capital.

Customers will often use a trainer one or two times a week and work with them for a few months, but these arrangements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Personal Element

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from Cardiff, said AI can be beneficial to accelerate results, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that live training provides.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He mentioned a number of his clients also use technology.

"I think it's very valuable, additional information is good," he stated.

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

The trainer said AI can inform clients and make guidance 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.

In the view of many, he said, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.