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Leah Walsh

After a festive period packed with rich foods and downtime, numerous individuals enter January aiming to get their fitness back on track.

However, could Artificial Intelligence be transforming the fitness industry by offering an option to personal trainers?

Personalized Plans and Adaptable Schedules

Leah Walsh employed an AI tool for impromptu preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman from Aberdare explained she liked the freedom to pose queries at all hours – something she felt was not possible with a traditional coach.

She relied on an AI-powered running app that gave her customized schedules with audio coaching and speed targets for her inaugural long-distance race in recent years.

She said she asked it to design a plan combining cardio and the gym, and it produced an 11-week programme tailored to her race date and objectives.

The user then adjusted the plan to suit her lifestyle, which she said was convenient.

The following year, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions whenever she wanted. Her result was a full minute quicker than her target finish.

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

"With artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I actually prefer," she added.

Richard Gallimore

Remarkable Strength Gains

In a similar case, Richard Gallimore, 23, from a Welsh city, has been using AI for his fitness and diet plans, and said he has never felt stronger, increasing his chest press from a lower weight to 110kg.

Richard turned to a bot for help after being unable to run a running event.

"I just knew I need to get myself in shape," he said.

This no-cost application built a fitness and meal program tailored to his goals, and created structured routines.

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

The Expense Comparison: Technology vs. Conventional Coaching

A recent survey in late 2024 compared prices for 17 of the largest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, for standard full-access plans.

Prices ranged from £23 at the cheapest provider to £132 at the most expensive.

Based on further data, fitness coaches determine their own fees, usually £30-£65 per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about £45-£65 in London.

Clients typically hire a trainer once or twice a week and collaborate for a few months, however these agreements are completely flexible.

Dafydd Judd

The Irreplaceable Human Element

Fitness coach one experienced professional, based in the Welsh capital, said AI can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the personal interaction and responsibility that live training offers.

This expert, who has 12 years experience as a trainer, specialises in senior clients and recovery from injuries. He said some of his trainees also use technology.

"In my opinion it's very valuable, more knowledge is positive," he said.

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

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

But, he argued true dedication comes when people show up in person for training.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd concluded.

For many, he suggested, the fitness center is a place to leave phones behind and stop being glued to screens.