🔗 Share this article

Leah Walsh

Following a holiday period packed with rich foods and relaxation, numerous individuals head into the new year looking to get their fitness back on track.

However, could AI be changing the fitness industry by providing an option to personal trainers?

Personalized Programs and Flexible Timelines

One fitness enthusiast used an artificial intelligence application for impromptu preparation for the a major running event.

This young woman hailing from Aberdare explained she liked the freedom to pose queries at all hours – something she felt was unavailable with a traditional coach.

She relied on an AI-powered fitness application that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her first half marathon in 2024.

She explained she asked it to create a regimen merging cardio and the gym, and it generated an multi-week programme customized to her race date and goals.

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

Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.

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

"Using AI you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she remarked.

A weightlifter

Significant Strength Gains

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, 23, based in a Welsh city, has been employing artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has never felt stronger, boosting his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.

He resorted 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 built a workout and diet plan tailored to his goals, and created organized workouts.

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

The Cost Contrast: Technology vs. Conventional Training

One recent study in the previous year compared costs for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, for standard full-access plans.

Fees ranged from £23 at the cheapest chain to £132 at the most expensive.

Based on industry research, personal trainers set their own rates, usually £30-£65 per hour-long session in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.

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

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Human Element

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, based in Cardiff, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be useful to accelerate results, but believes it will never replace the personal interaction and accountability that live training provides.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, focuses on older adults and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned some of his clients also use AI.

"In my opinion it's extremely useful, more knowledge is good," he stated.

"I believe the more that people are connected digitally the more they'll desire personal contact because they crave the warmth from the comprehension that is missing from a computer," he continued.

Dafydd said Artificial intelligence can educate users and make coaching more effective.

But, he said real commitment comes when people appear in person for their sessions.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," he concluded.

In the view of many, he suggested, the gym is a space to disconnect from devices and stop being glued to screens.