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Leah Walsh

Following a holiday period packed with rich foods and downtime, many people head into January aiming to get their fitness back on track.

However, is it possible that Artificial Intelligence be changing the world of exercise by offering an alternative to personal trainers?

Tailored Plans and Adaptable Schedules

One fitness enthusiast employed an artificial intelligence application for impromptu training for the a major running event.

This young woman from a town in Wales explained she liked the liberty to pose queries at all hours – a feature she felt was not possible with a traditional coach.

She used an AI-driven running app that provided her customized schedules with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.

She said she requested it to create a regimen merging cardio and the weight training, and it produced an 11-week plan tailored to her event day and goals.

Leah then tweaked the schedule to suit her daily routine, which she said was highly practical.

The following year, she opted for a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a minute faster than her goal time.

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

"With AI you have to find your own drive, which I actually prefer," she remarked.

Richard Gallimore

Significant Strength Gains

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from Swansea, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his bench press from 70kg to 110kg.

Richard resorted to a AI assistant for help after being unable to run a race.

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

This no-cost application built a workout and diet plan personalized to his goals, and created organized workouts.

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

The Cost Comparison: AI vs. Traditional Coaching

One recent survey in late 2024 analyzed costs for 17 of the largest fitness chains and found the average membership cost was around £38 a month, for basic memberships.

Fees started at a lower price at the most affordable chain to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

According to industry research, fitness coaches determine their own fees, typically a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about a similar range in London.

Clients will often hire a coach one or two times a week and work with them for a few months, however these arrangements are completely flexible.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Element

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from the Welsh capital, acknowledged artificial intelligence can be useful to accelerate results, but is convinced it will never replace the human connection and accountability that live training offers.

This expert, who has over a decade of experience as a coach, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said some of his clients also use technology.

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

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

The trainer said Artificial intelligence can inform users and make coaching more effective.

But, he argued real commitment comes when people show up physically for training.

"No matter how helpful as it is at the middle of the night, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," Dafydd concluded.

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