🔗 Share this article

Leah Walsh

After a festive period packed with rich foods and downtime, many people head into January looking to get their fitness back on track.

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

Tailored Plans and Adaptable Schedules

One fitness enthusiast used an artificial intelligence application for last-minute training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The 21-year-old from a town in Wales said she liked the liberty to ask it questions at all hours – something she believed was unavailable with a personal trainer.

She used an AI-driven fitness application that gave her customized schedules with voice guidance and pace setting for her first half marathon in recent years.

She explained she requested it to design a regimen combining cardio and the weight training, and it generated an multi-week plan tailored to her event day and objectives.

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

Subsequently, she chose a different tool because it was cheaper and she could ask it questions at any time. She finished a minute faster than her target finish.

She said she wanted to avoid feeling pressure from a live instructor.

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

Richard Gallimore

Significant Fitness Improvements

In a similar case, Another individual, in his twenties, based in a Welsh city, has been using AI for his exercise and nutrition programs, and said he has achieved peak strength, increasing his bench press from 70kg to a much heavier load.

He turned to a bot for assistance after being unable to run a race.

"I just knew I had to sort myself out," he commented.

This no-cost application constructed a fitness and meal program tailored to his aims, and established organized workouts.

"I work out for about 120 minutes a day and I've seen a noticeable change," he said.

The Cost Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Training

A recent study in the previous year compared costs for numerous of the largest gym brands and found the average membership cost was approximately forty pounds per month, for basic memberships.

Fees started at a lower price at the most affordable provider to £132 at the highest-priced.

Based on industry research, fitness coaches set their own rates, usually a range of thirty to sixty-five pounds per 45-60 minute session in most areas and about a similar range in the capital.

Customers typically use a trainer once or twice a week and work with them for a few months, but these arrangements are often adaptable.

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Personal Element

Personal trainer one experienced professional, from Cardiff, acknowledged AI can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will not supplant the human connection and responsibility that in-person coaching provides.

The 37-year-old, who has 12 years experience as a coach, specialises in older adults and injury rehabilitation. He mentioned a number of his trainees 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 want human connection because they crave the empathy from the understanding that is absent from a computer," he continued.

Dafydd explained AI can inform users and make coaching more efficient.

However, he said real commitment comes when people show up in person for training.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer cannot ensure you show up at early morning before work," Dafydd added.

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