The past two days at the Elevate event at Excel London were incredibly eventful! I had a bird’s-eye view into the latest and greatest in the fitness industry. Here are a few key takeaways and findings (skip to the comments to see me attempting to break my back/wrist by lifting a 78kg dumbbell):
💪 I was impressed with EGYM’s motorized resistance machines instead of traditional weight machines. Apparently, I’m 21 according to their strength test!
📊❤️ Myzone® heart rate monitors/screens are becoming commonplace in many gym chains. Many machines are now also connected and provide progress tracking features for users.
🤖📞 Sales and outreach AI agents (chatbots, AI phone assistants) are augmenting the work of current sales teams.
🔮 Integrating predictive AI to detect when a customer is most likely to churn and acting upon it is becoming crucial.
✍ There is FOMO among self-employed coaches and private trainers in that they are not using AI enough or catching up to the AI hype
🧠 PTs now need to do more than create training schedules and give feedback; they have to help with sleep and other factors affecting training. According to Third Space Fitness Director Rob Beale, the best PTs are "excellent behavioral psychologists". It was great meeting and chatting with you, Rob Beale, and thank you for letting me squeeze in a workout at your newest facility in Wood Wharf!
📚 There was a lot of emphasis on the education of PTs. Also a lot of praise for Third Space’s head of education, Joshua Silverman, for his outstanding work, from both Rob and Thirdspace managing director John Penny!
🚀 According to Gymbox CEO Marc Diaper, gyms and fitness centers need to plan 12 months or more in advance regarding new tech/machines/AI solutions. Otherwise, they risk losing customers to more technologically advanced centers. Great talking to you Marc Diaper and love the enthusiasm towards integrating innovative solutions!
👨👩👧👦🏅 Michelle Dand (Bletso) from David Lloyd Clubs mentioned the challenge of making workouts fun for children. She noted that there’s an age where children define themselves as either sporty or not sporty. David Lloyd has seen some success with parent/child workouts where children compete against their parents (although families competing against each other was not a great idea). It was insightful to hear your thoughts and discuss with you how we gamified workouts previously, Michelle!
🍏👀 Despite everyone knowing that proper nutrition is essential for better training performance and a healthier life, it remains underserved in many fitness chains. This is changing soon with Rex.fit 🦖 (YC W23), so stay tuned 👀