Beyond the Hype: Where AI Really Fits in Fitness

Want to cut through the media fanfare and understand what AI really means for fitness? We recently gathered industry experts to discuss exactly that. Here are the key takeaways from Vor's AI in Fitness webinar (January 23rd, 2025) - part 1. Catch the full recording here.

------

‍

The fitness industry is at a technological crossroads. Artificial intelligence (AI) is being promised as the next tech frontier to make us infinitely more productive. Yes, AI is a powerful tool for transformation. But if we delve beyond the hype, what role can AI really play in fitness, and where can it make the most impact?

‍

In a recent webinar, industry experts Alex Peacock, Founder of Leisure Labs, and Jesse Shanahan, CTO at Vor, shared their insights on this crucial question.

‍

AI's Triple Threat: Productivity, Performance, Personalisation

‍

Where can AI meaningfully impact fitness? For Peacock, the answer is in three key areas.

‍

First up is productivity - and it's not just about replacing paperwork. While AI can handle the data crunching and routine tasks that consume valuable time, there's a bigger picture. By automating these behind-the-scenes processes, fitness businesses can focus on what really matters: delivering exceptional customer experiences for their members.

‍

When your team isn't buried in spreadsheets and repetitive tasks, they can spend more time doing what they do best: connecting with members, providing expert guidance, and building the kind of relationships that keep people coming back.

‍

AI as a Performance Enhancer

‍

When it comes to performance, Peacock described AI as a potential "superpower" for fitness teams.

‍

Imagine your trainers having instant access to every workout, every achievement, and every preference across hundreds of members. AI’s speed and processing power can spot patterns humans might miss, turning mountains of data into actionable insights.

‍

This kind of data analysis can have multiple uses in the industry. For trainers, this means creating more effective programs based on what actually works, not just gut feeling. For clubs, it means catching the early warning signs when a member might be thinking of leaving – before they begin the cancellation process.

‍

By analysing patterns in attendance and engagement, AI can flag potential member retention issues early. This gives your team the chance to step in at the right moment with the right intervention.

‍

The Promise of Personalisation

‍

The third area, personalisation, perhaps offers the most game-changing possibilities.

‍

There is no greater impact of true personalisation than in health and fitness services. This is where AI shows its most exciting potential. It can process dozens of parameters simultaneously: your mobility limitations, past injuries, medical conditions, exercise experience, current fitness level, and even how you prefer to move. Peacock explains, this level of personalisation simply hasn't been possible at scale before.

‍

What’s more, AI adapts as you do. Traditional exercise programs might stick you in a "beginner" box for six weeks, regardless of how quickly you progress. AI, on the other hand, examines your performance, learns from your feedback, and adjusts in real-time. Struggling with a particular movement? It adapts. Progressing faster than expected? It evolves with you.

‍

This kind of intelligent, continuous personalisation makes fitness more accessible, safer, and more effective for everyone – not just those who can afford expert, one-to-one training.

‍

Beyond ChatGPT and LLMs: Understanding AI's Capabilities and Limits

‍

Not all AI models are created equal. Drawing from her background in astrophysics and applied AI, Shanahan explained why some AI solutions might do more harm than good.

‍

The elephant in the room? ChatGPT and similar large language models (LLMs). While these AI tools make headlines and can handle basic tasks like member FAQs, they're not built to create safe, effective workout programs. As Peacock colourfully puts it, they're "confident BS" - they'll happily generate a workout plan but can't explain their reasoning or prove their safety. It's like having a trainer who can't tell you why you're doing specific exercises or how they chose your weights.

‍

What’s more, there is a deeper issue in how traditional machine learning systems are programmed. They rely on historical data, which Shanahan warns can perpetuate existing biases and limitations. Think about it: if an AI learns from data mainly representing one type of exerciser, it might struggle to serve people with different needs, abilities, or goals. This becomes particularly problematic when trying to make fitness more inclusive and accessible to everyone.

‍

"The key," Shanahan emphasises, "is choosing the right tool for the right job." Just as you wouldn't use a treadmill for strength training, not every type of AI suits every fitness task. When it comes to exercise programming, you need specialised systems with proper safety guard rails and the ability to explain their decisions.

‍

The Opportunity of AI in Workout Programming

‍
In the world of fitness tech, workout programming is where AI proves its real value - turning complex science and data into exercise plans that work for everyone. The experts emphasised that while the opportunities are transformative, success lies in thoughtful implementation with safety at its core.

‍
"Personalisation promotes adherence," Shanahan explained. When members feel their workout program is truly built for them – considering their unique starting point, preferences, and biological makeup – they're more likely to stick with it. That’s why explainability is such a crucial feature at Vor. Every workout is reliable, traceable and tangibly linked to members’ goals.

‍
Peacock emphasised, "There's a very low margin for error in fitness programming, especially for beginners." This isn't about replacing trainer expertise - it's about building upon it and providing more options for members. The most successful approaches combine AI's data-processing capabilities with human insight, creating what Shanahan calls "guard rails" that ensure safety while maximising personalisation and access.

‍
The experts conclude that AI for workout programming is a turning point for fitness inclusivity. Traditional templates have always had a fundamental flaw: they cater to the average, leaving many people feeling like fitness isn't for them. AI changes this. Instead of asking people to fit the program, the program adapts to fit the person - whether they're working around mobility limitations, managing health conditions, or simply preferring a different approach to exercise. This could finally make personalised fitness accessible at scale, opening doors that have been closed for too long.

‍

See Vor in action – the world’s most powerful workout generation tool

‍

Want to see how AI-powered workout programming can transform your fitness business? Book a demo or contact us.

‍

Our team will show you how Vor's specialised technology allows for true personalisation and instant workout creation without compromising on safety or reliability.

About the Speakers

‍

Alex Peacock is the founder of Leisure Labs, a full-service digital transformation and Software Development agency specialising in custom digital experiences for the fitness and leisure industry. With over two decades of experience, Alex previously served as CEO of Netpulse (acquired by Egym in 2018) and led Zoom Media's European operations for ten years. He currently serves on the UK Active Supply Council and advises various startup and scale-up organisations in the fitness and wellness sector.

‍

Jesse Shanahan is the CTO of Vor, bringing a unique background combining linguistics and astrophysics to the fitness technology space. Previously the head of Applied AI for Swedish company Peltarion, Jesse joined Vor in 2022 and is the creator of the Vor Engine, a proprietary system that uniquely combines AI and astrophysics concepts to create highly personalised workouts at scale. Passionate about ethics in AI, Jesse continues to conduct research and mentor young people.