🔗 Share this article

Leah Walsh

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

But, is it possible that AI be changing the fitness industry by providing an alternative to human coaches?

Personalized Plans and Adaptable Schedules

Leah Walsh employed an artificial intelligence application for last-minute training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman from Aberdare explained she liked the freedom to ask it questions at all hours – a feature she believed was not possible with a traditional coach.

She used an AI-driven fitness application that provided her personalised plans with voice guidance and pace setting for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.

She said she asked it to create a plan combining running and the gym, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her event day and objectives.

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

The following year, she opted for a alternative application because it was more affordable and she could consult it at any time. Her result was a full minute quicker than her goal time.

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

"With artificial intelligence you have to find your own drive, which I quite like," she added.

A weightlifter

Remarkable Strength Gains

Meanwhile, Another individual, 23, based in Swansea, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has achieved peak strength, boosting his chest press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

He resorted to a bot for help after being unable to run a running event.

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

This no-cost application built a fitness and meal program personalized to his goals, and established organized workouts.

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

The Expense Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Coaching

One recent survey in the previous year analyzed prices for numerous of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds per month, based on standard memberships.

Prices started at a lower price at the cheapest provider to a premium rate at the highest-priced.

Based on industry research, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually £30-£65 per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about a similar range in the capital.

Customers will often hire a coach once or twice a week and work with them for a short period, however these arrangements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Essential Personal Touch

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be beneficial to speed up progress, but is convinced it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that in-person coaching provides.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, focuses on senior clients and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned a number of his trainees also use AI.

"In my opinion it's very valuable, more knowledge is good," he stated.

"I think the more people are online the more they'll desire personal contact because they crave the warmth from the understanding that is missing from a machine," he added.

Dafydd explained AI can educate users and make guidance more effective.

But, he argued real commitment comes when people show up in person for their sessions.

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

In the view of many, he said, the gym is a place to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.