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Leah Walsh

After a festive period packed with rich foods and downtime, many people enter January aiming to regain their fitness momentum.

However, could AI be transforming the world of exercise by providing an option to personal trainers?

Personalized Programs and Adaptable Schedules

One fitness enthusiast employed an artificial intelligence application for impromptu training for the Cardiff Half Marathon.

This young woman from Aberdare explained she appreciated the liberty to pose queries at all hours – something she felt was not possible with a personal trainer.

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

She said she asked it to design a regimen merging cardio and the gym, and it produced an multi-week plan customized to her event day and goals.

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

The following year, 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 goal time.

She said she did not want the pressure from a human personal trainer.

"Using artificial intelligence you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she remarked.

Richard Gallimore

Significant Strength 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 reported he has never felt stronger, increasing his bench press from a lower weight to 110kg.

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

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

The free tool constructed a workout and diet plan tailored to his goals, and created organized workouts.

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

The Expense Contrast: AI vs. Traditional Training

A recent study in late 2024 compared prices for 17 of the biggest fitness chains and found the typical monthly fee was approximately forty pounds a month, for standard memberships.

Prices ranged from a lower price at the most affordable chain to £132 at the highest-priced.

Based on industry research, fitness coaches set their own rates, typically £30-£65 per hour-long appointment in most areas and about a similar range in the capital.

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

A personal trainer

The Irreplaceable Human Touch

Fitness coach Dafydd Judd, from Cardiff, said artificial intelligence can be useful to speed up progress, but believes it will never replace the human connection and accountability that live training provides.

The 37-year-old, who has over a decade of experience as a trainer, focuses on older adults and recovery from injuries. He said a number of his clients also employ AI.

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

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

The trainer said Artificial intelligence can inform users and make guidance more efficient.

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

"No matter how helpful as it is at 2am, a digital tool cannot ensure you show up at 7am before work," Dafydd added.

In the view of many, he suggested, the fitness center is a space to leave phones behind and take a break from technology.