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A runner

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

However, could Artificial Intelligence be transforming the world of exercise by providing an option to human coaches?

Personalized Programs and Flexible Schedules

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

This young woman hailing from a town in Wales said she appreciated the freedom to pose queries any time of day – a feature she believed was unavailable with a traditional coach.

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

She said she requested it to design a regimen combining cardio and the gym, and it generated an 11-week plan customized to her event day and goals.

Leah then adjusted the schedule to fit her lifestyle, which she described was convenient.

Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was more affordable and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. She finished a minute faster than her goal time.

She noted she wanted to avoid the pressure from a human personal trainer.

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

A weightlifter

Remarkable Strength Gains

In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, based in Swansea, has been using artificial intelligence for his fitness and diet plans, and reported he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.

He turned to a bot for assistance after being forced to walk a running event.

"I realized I had to get myself in shape," he commented.

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

"I train for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a real difference," he said.

The Expense Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Training

One recent survey in late 2024 analyzed prices for numerous of the biggest gym brands and found the typical monthly fee was around £38 a month, based on basic memberships.

Fees ranged from £23 at the cheapest provider to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

According to further data, personal trainers determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session outside London and about £45-£65 in the capital.

Clients typically hire a coach one or two times a week and collaborate for a few months, but these arrangements are often adaptable.

Dafydd Judd

The Essential Personal Touch

Personal trainer Dafydd Judd, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the human connection and responsibility that live training provides.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He said some of his clients also employ AI.

"I think it's extremely useful, additional information is positive," he said.

"I believe the more that people are online the more they'll want human connection because they crave the warmth from the understanding that is absent from a machine," he added.

Dafydd said AI can educate clients and make coaching more effective.

But, he said real commitment comes when people appear physically for training.

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a digital tool won't keep you accountable at early morning before work," he added.

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