Individuals Turn to AI for Training Plans as Trainers Highlight Role of Human Connection

Some recreational athletes and gym users are turning to artificial intelligence tools to plan workouts and diets, reporting measurable gains while prompting discussion about the limits of automated coaching.

Two users in Wales — one preparing for distance running and another rebuilding strength — described how AI-generated programmes fit their schedules and goals. Their experiences, combined with industry data and comments from a personal trainer, paint a picture of AI as a practical and affordable option for some clients, though not a wholesale replacement for in-person coaching.

Leah Walsh, 21, from Aberdare used an AI-powered running app to prepare for a half marathon. The tool provided personalised plans with audio coaching and pace setting for her initial event and an 11-week programme when she prepared for a subsequent race.

Walsh told reporters she asked the app to combine running and gym work and that it produced a schedule tailored to her race date and goals. She then adjusted the plan to fit her lifestyle.

For her second half marathon she chose a different AI tool because it was cheaper and allowed her to ask questions at any time of day. She said the flexibility appealed to her; she did not want pressure from a human personal trainer and preferred to motivate herself.

"With AI you have to motivate yourself, which I quite like," she said. Walsh’s approach produced a personal best time: she finished a minute faster than her target.

In Swansea, 23-year-old Richard Gallimore used a free AI tool to design a workout and diet plan after attending a running event as a walker and deciding to improve his fitness. The bot created structured routines for him.

Gallimore said he trains about two hours a day and has seen substantial increases in strength. He reported raising his bench press from 70kg to 110kg and described himself as "stronger than ever."

Both users emphasised convenience. Walsh highlighted the ability to ask questions at any hour, while Gallimore noted that the tool built plans tailored to his specific aims. Cost considerations influenced their choices: Walsh selected a different app for its lower price.

Those decisions reflect broader cost pressures in the fitness market. A consumer survey conducted by Which? compared prices across major gym brands and found the average monthly membership cost to be £38 for standard full-access plans. Prices among the chains surveyed ranged from £23 at the lowest-priced chain to £132 at the highest.

Fees for one-to-one personal training also vary. Research by PureGym cited typical rates of £30-£65 per 45-60 minute session outside London and around £45-£65 in London. PureGym noted that clients commonly use a trainer once or twice a week for a few months, but that arrangements are flexible.

Personal trainers see a role for AI, but many expect human coaching to remain central for certain clients. Dafydd Judd, a 37-year-old personal trainer from Cardiff with 12 years' experience, said AI can accelerate progress and educate clients, and that some of his own clients use AI tools.

"I think it's very valuable, more knowledge is good," he said. However, he argued that AI cannot replace the human connection and accountability provided by in-person coaching.

Judd specialises in older adults and injury rehabilitation and said those areas particularly benefit from human oversight. He also pointed to the motivational role of a coach.

"As useful as it is at 2am, a computer won't keep you accountable at 7am before work," he said. He added that for many people the gym is a place to step away from screens and to experience direct human interaction.

Trainers and users alike described AI as a complement rather than a universal substitute. For some motivated individuals who are comfortable self-guiding and making adjustments, AI offers cost-effective, flexible, and tailored programming. For others, especially clients seeking rehabilitation, older adults, or those who depend on external accountability, the human element remains important.

The examples from Wales illustrate how AI tools are being used in practice: to set pace and audio coaching for runners, and to combine strength training and dietary guidance for lifters. Costs and convenience are clear drivers for adoption, while questions about long-term adherence, safety in complex cases, and the intangible benefits of human coaching continue to inform the debate.

As AI-based fitness tools become more accessible, gyms, trainers and users will likely continue to adapt, experimenting with hybrid approaches that pair automated planning with in-person supervision where needed.

Key Topics

Ai Fitness Tools, Ai-powered Running App, Personalized Workout Plans, Ai Diet Plans, Audio Coaching And Pace Setting, Strength Training Progress, Hybrid Coaching Models, Accountability And Motivation, Injury Rehabilitation And Older Adults, Cost Of Gym Memberships, Personal Training Rates, Accessibility And Affordability