Everyone’s talking about AI right now. Sharing prompts. Posting animated versions of themselves. A few are using it for business. Most are just having fun.
But when you actually try to find useful ideas for applying AI, especially in the fitness space, the advice is usually shallow. Generic lists. Tools no one really uses. Prompts that sound impressive but don’t work in the real world.
That’s where this post is different.
We spoke with people who are actually using AI to run and grow fitness businesses:
- Troy Macfarland – Director of Marketing for FITNESS SF, using AI to streamline operations and create content across eight locations
- Matthew Miller from SWEAT440, a fast-growing fitness franchise powered by AI-led video instruction
- Andrew Menter, founder of Physmodo, whose movement assessment tech is helping gyms boost retention and drive personal training revenue
- Steven Webster – CEO and founder of ASENSEI, building real-time AI coaching tools that enhance, not replace, human trainers
Let’s take a look.
Why AI Is the Next Big Shift in Fitness
AI in the fitness industry, in simple terms, is software that learns from data and makes decisions or predictions. It’s what powers the tools that auto-suggest workouts, track your form, or generate personalized messages. You don’t need to understand the code behind it. What matters is what it can do for your business.
A lot of people think AI is here to replace coaches. It’s not. At least, not the good ones.
What AI actually does is handle the stuff that pulls coaches away from coaching. Things like analyzing data, checking movement patterns, or managing routine messages. This gives coaches more time to focus on what they’re best at, like connecting with people, correcting form, and motivating members.
And this isn’t just for big-budget franchises.
Small gyms and independent trainers are already using AI tools to do more with less. Troy Macfarland at FitnessSF mentioned that after his team was cut in half post-COVID, they leaned on AI to help with content creation, notifications, and basic automation, and they’re still running eight locations smoothly. Here you can listen to his take.
Quick Wins – Easy Ways to Start Using AI in Your Gym Today
If you’re not ready to go full sci-fi with AI just yet, that’s fine. There are plenty of easy wins that don’t require a tech background or a huge budget. These are the low-effort, high-impact ways people are already using AI in the fitness industry right now.
Automate Tasks That Waste Your Time
Every gym has repetitive tasks that eat up hours each week. Following up with leads. Sending reminder texts. Scheduling sessions. AI can take those off your plate.
Troy Macfarland from FITNESS SF talked about how their lean two-person marketing team still runs multiple locations by automating what used to be manual. They use AI in their CRM system to manage push notifications, email campaigns, and more.
Want to try it yourself? Start with:
- Zapier to connect your lead forms with email or SMS follow-ups.
- Calendly or Gymdesk to automate bookings and class reminders.
- ChatGPT to generate quick message templates for sales, onboarding, or support.
- Chatbots that answer common questions while you sleep. If you want to try this out, check out the AI Assistant from Referrizer. It’s built specifically for gyms and studios to save time, respond instantly, and convert more leads while you focus on running your business.
You don’t need to automate everything. Start with one thing you hate doing and let AI handle it.
Let AI Help You Create More Content, Faster
Social media, blogs, email newsletters… The content treadmill never stops. AI makes it easier to stay consistent without burning out.
At FITNESS SF, Troy didn’t outsource content. Instead, he found internal trainers who were already filming and used AI tools to turn that content into something professional. One trainer manages social media 10 hours a week while still coaching. Another creates gym walkthroughs and highlight reels using their own camera.
Here you can listen to how Troy breaks this down.
Try this:
- Canva Magic Write to create captions, emails, or post ideas
- Descript to edit videos with AI voice cleanup and transcription
- Opus Clip to chop long videos into short social reels
- Repurpose workout clips, FAQs, and testimonials across formats
Start with what your team is already creating. AI helps you polish and scale it fast.
Improve Group Classes with AI-Led Instruction
What if your classes could run smoothly without a coach leading every second?
That’s exactly how SWEAT440 runs its workouts. Each class is guided by on-screen instructions powered by custom-built software. Coaches stay available for feedback and interaction, but the screens handle the flow and exercise demos.
Listen to Matthew Miller describe how they built this system.
This does two things really well:
- It keeps workouts consistent across time slots and locations
- It makes scaling easier, especially when hiring more staff isn’t an option
Even if you don’t build your own software, you can start small. Use screens, templates, or pre-recorded walkthroughs to free up your coaches during classes.
Smart Systems – AI That Improves Results and Experience
Once you’ve automated the busywork, the next level is using AI in the fitness industry to actually improve the member experience. This is where the tech stops being a time-saver and starts becoming a business multiplier.
Use AI for Personalized Coaching and Movement Feedback
AI isn’t just about automation. It’s also about observation.
Physmodo uses a quick assessment via a mobile device to identify posture imbalances, mobility restrictions, and injury risks. Clients can actually see their weak points visualized on screen, which builds instant credibility.
Andrew Menter explains this in the podcast:
ASENSEI takes it a step further with real-time feedback and audio coaching. It monitors your form during training and adjusts cues live, almost like a coach in your ear.
Listen to how Steven Webster explains this system:
Turn Coaches Into Super Coaches, Not Replace Them
There’s a big difference between using AI to replace a coach and using it to amplify one. Good gyms are choosing the second path, and it’s paying off.
ASENSEI’s “super coach” model gives trainers a kind of digital sixth sense. AI can monitor an entire room of people, detect who’s falling out of form, and prompt the coach with a subtle alert. The member thinks the coach is just that good.
Listen here to how Steven explains this:
Strategic Growth – Advanced Uses of AI in Fitness Businesses
The AI tools we’re using in the fitness industry today? Just the warm-up.
We’re already seeing platforms that connect with wearables to offer smarter recovery suggestions. Others are experimenting with emotion-aware coaching, adjusting tone based on user mood. Voice-guided workouts are no longer futuristic, they’re happening now.
The future is AI that reacts on the fly, to effort, emotion, sleep, and even stress levels. Think of it like Spotify for training. Personalized, adaptive, and smarter, the more you use it.
If you want to stay relevant, now’s the time to experiment. The gyms that start testing AI today will be the ones leading the industry tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
AI in the fitness industry isn’t a trend, it’s a shift. And while the tech might seem overwhelming at first, the real wins come from simple, practical use. Whether it’s automating your follow-ups, turning one workout video into a month’s worth of content, or giving your coaches tools to deliver smarter sessions, AI is already helping fitness businesses do more with less.
The best part? You don’t need to be a tech wizard or run a massive franchise to get started. Just try the AI Assistant from Referrizer and see how much time you save, and how much more effective your gym becomes.
FAQ
Do I need a tech background to start using AI in my gym?
No. Most AI tools today are built for non-technical users. You can start with simple automations like scheduling or follow-up messages without any coding or IT experience.
What’s the best AI tool for small gyms with limited staff?
The AI Assistant from Referrizer is a great place to start. It’s built specifically for fitness businesses and helps automate lead follow-up, answer questions, and save time.
What are some quick ways to use AI in my gym today?
Start with content creation, lead follow-up, and scheduling. Use AI to write social posts, edit videos, automate reminders, and qualify new leads.
