Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you must have at least a general idea that the world is changing very rapidly, especially in the last 1-2 years, due to the rise of AI tools.
Once upon a time, when people heard the word “AI” — which stands for artificial intelligence — they thought of it as something from sci-fi movies like The Terminator 3 or I, Robot.
But now, in 2024, AI is part of our daily lives. Terms like GPT-4, LLM, and AGI are discussed daily with great interest.
So, how can you, as a fitness business owner in the fitness industry, take advantage of AI to increase your overall revenue and stay competitive among fitness businesses?
Can you use AI-powered fitness apps or enhanced wearable fitness technology?
Let’s explore how exactly you can use AI to boost your fitness studio’s revenue.
1. Use AI tools to Start Your Own Fitness Studio Blog
Are you passionate about what you do? Of course, you are—that’s why you, like many fitness club owners and gym owners, started your fitness business.
But how do you reach people beyond your personal training clients and the members who visit your studio?
You can extend your influence by answering burning questions in the fitness niche, or by sharing the latest tips on exercise, nutrition, weight loss, and more.
You might be thinking, “But I’m not a writer.” We get it—that’s where tools like ChatGPT and Jasper come in.
When used effectively, these can help you produce at least one blog post daily.
But to be honest: left to their own devices, these AI tools aren’t perfect.
For instance, if you ask ChatGPT to “Write 6 tips for losing weight,” it might simply churn out generic, reworded content that’s already widespread on the internet, which doesn’t really help your reader.
Instead, treat these tools like an intern that you need to guide step by step.
Rather than relying on AI to generate an entire blog post, use it to expand on your ideas or to refine and improve the clarity of your rough drafts.
Here’s an example: Suppose you want to write about “3 Mistakes to Avoid When You Start Exercising.” Here is what you would need to do
H2 - [Your unique idea]
Brief explanation
H2 - [Your unique idea]
Brief explanation
H2 - [Your unique idea]
Brief explanation
You can take this rough draft and prompt the AI tool to help you expand on these ideas or refine it for clarity. And just like that, you get a blog post ready to go.
This is just one way to use AI; there are many other methods to explore.
For more details check out our guide on using Chat GPT for fitness professionals.
2. Make Use Of AI Coach
Okay, this one might be a little biased as this feature is one of our very own. But hear us out.
The AI Coach is designed to expand the training capabilities of fitness centers beyond their typical limitations, providing fitness clients with real-time feedback and a personalized experience.
This tool is specifically designed to provide your clients with an automated experience.
Your members can interact with their AI coach any time of the day, increasing your revenue without requiring additional time from you.
Here’s how it works: Users download the app, enter their basic information and fitness goals, and quickly receive a workout plan customized just for them.
This tool uses machine learning and AI algorithms to analyze historical data and offer personalized guidance that adapts to each user’s needs and progress, making virtual training sessions highly effective.
Here’s how you can offer it to your members:
- Premium Memberships: Include access to the AI Coach as a premium feature. Offer this in a higher-tier membership plan that costs more than the basic plan but provides significant value through personalized training programs.
- Standalone Subscription Service: Launch the AI Coach as a separate subscription service. This allows both members and non-members to subscribe solely to the AI Coach, even without a full gym membership. It can attract a wider audience that may prefer at-home workouts or seek a more affordable entry point into personal training.
- Hybrid Training Options: Integrate the AI Coach to complement personal training sessions. For example, personal trainers can leverage insights from the AI Coach to tailor their sessions more effectively or provide clients with workouts to do between sessions. This approach not only enhances client outcomes but also boosts the efficiency and effectiveness of personal trainers.
With the AI Coach, your fitness studio offers more than just physical space—it becomes a portal to personalized, accessible fitness on demand.
3. Use AI-powered Chatbots to Answer and Convert Membership Queries
Research shows us that Timing is everything when it comes to selling to a potential customer.
Let’s say you receive a query on your Instagram DM like, “Hi, I am looking to join a fitness studio, how much do your memberships cost?”
At this moment, the person who scrolled through your social media was intrigued by what you are offering and decided to reach out with a simple direct message (DM).
If you don’t reply promptly, there’s a high chance that he or she might change their mind or could already be in a different state of mind.
Without a dedicated social media team, it can be challenging to respond quickly to people’s queries.
This is where AI-powered chatbots can make a difference.
For instance, for every inquiry, your chatbot can engage with them in real time, providing valuable insights and even making them a limited-time offer to buy a membership, thus increasing the chances of converting a potential customer into an actual one.
Having queries answered in real time also projects professionalism from your side to the person inquiring about your services.
Therefore, you can significantly increase your conversion rate simply by employing chatbots on your social media accounts or any platform where you receive inquiries.
4. Use Chat-GPT to Offer Personalized Training Plans
For a personal trainer beginning to expand their business, using AI to provide personalized workouts for your clients can save time and boost your revenue.
Look at the prompt shown in the image below. It is an example of how you can prompt Chat-GPT to create a workout plan.
Remember when we compared AI to an intern who requires supervision? It applies in this context as well.
While AI can generate effective workout plans based on the specificity of your prompts, you still need to review these fitness routines to ensure they are solid and align with your standards.
You might need to add or remove elements to enhance their effectiveness.
You need to understand that AI is designed to reduce the time it takes to create a workout plan, not to replace you.
Your oversight is essential.
However, by integrating AI efficiently, you can save significant time and expand your capacity to serve more clients.
5. Install AI-Based Smart Mirrors In Your Fitness Studio
Put yourself in the shoes of a prospective member, you’re at a fitness studio, and there’s this cool mirror that not only shows your reflection but also has a screen inside it.
This screen can show you a virtual trainer who guides you through exercises, just like a real coach would. It’s like having a personal trainer but without the extra cost.
These smart mirrors can also check if you’re doing your exercises right and give you tips, which is great for making sure you’re working out safely and effectively.
Now, because these mirrors offer such a high-tech and personalized experience, you can charge a bit more for memberships or special classes that use them.
People might be willing to pay more for this cool feature.
Plus, the gym can save money because they won’t need as many live trainers. And, if the gym is known for having this fancy equipment, it might attract more people to sign up.
So, by giving your members a better workout experience and saving on costs, smart mirrors can help you make more money.
Check out this YouTube video to get an idea of how this could work.
Conclusion
If you are not using AI to boost your fitness studio’s revenue, you might be leaving money on the table.
With the advent of AI, innovative tools are emerging that are here to stay, according to recent trends.
As a fitness entrepreneur, you can use these tools to not only improve your efficiency but also to provide an innovative experience for your members.
For example, installing smart mirrors in your fitness studio can offer a unique experience that isn’t widely available elsewhere.
Creating personalized fitness programs and interactive AI features can make your gym stand out, attract more people, and encourage them to stick with you due to the advanced and personalized features you provide.
FAQ
How can AI help in the fitness industry?
AI can help in the fitness sector by making workout plans just for you, keeping track of your fitness journey, and giving you assistance on how to eat right.
Is there an AI for fitness?
Yes, there are AI apps for fitness such as the AI coach. These apps can create workouts that change as you get better and can be like having a personal trainer on your phone.
Will AI replace personal trainers?
AI might not fully replace personal trainers because trainers can understand feelings and give support in ways AI can’t. However, AI can help trainers by giving them more information to make better workout plans.
How much does fitness AI cost?
The cost of fitness AI can vary. Some apps might be free, while others can cost around $40 to $130 per year. It’s a good idea to look for discounts or try a free trial first.
