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A runner

Following a holiday period filled with indulgent treats and relaxation, numerous individuals enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

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

Tailored Programs and Flexible Timelines

One fitness enthusiast employed an AI tool for last-minute preparation for the a major running event.

The 21-year-old hailing from Aberdare said she liked the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she believed was not possible with a personal trainer.

She relied on an AI-powered running app that gave her personalised plans with audio coaching and pace setting for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.

She said she requested it to design a regimen merging 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 fit her daily routine, which she described was convenient.

Subsequently, she opted for 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 did not want the pressure from a human personal trainer.

"Using artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she remarked.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Fitness Gains

Meanwhile, Richard Gallimore, in his twenties, based in a Welsh city, has been employing AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has never felt stronger, increasing his chest press from 70kg to 110kg.

He turned to a AI assistant for help after being forced to walk a race.

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

The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan personalized to his goals, and created structured routines.

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

The Cost Contrast: AI vs. Conventional Training

One recent survey in the previous year analyzed prices for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds a month, for basic full-access plans.

Prices started at £23 at the most affordable provider to £132 at the most expensive.

According to further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute appointment outside London and about a similar range in the capital.

Clients will often hire a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, but these agreements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Human Touch

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, said AI can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the human connection and responsibility that in-person coaching provides.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in older adults and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his clients also use AI.

"In my opinion it's very valuable, additional information is positive," he stated.

"I believe the more that people are online the more they'll want personal contact because they crave the empathy from the comprehension that is absent from a machine," he continued.

Dafydd explained Artificial intelligence can educate clients and make guidance more effective.

However, he said true dedication comes when people appear in person for training.

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," he added.

In the view of many, he said, the fitness center is a space to disconnect from devices and take a break from technology.