Exploring AI in Fitness with Jonathan Goodman

Here’s what we agree on

In June, I wrote an article on AI (which was published by Geek Culture on Medium). It talks about the pairing of AI and personal trainers, which is kind of the Trainerize MO — tech and human working together to build smarter, more impactful relationships and ultimately healthier lifestyles. Here’s an excerpt from the piece:

“We built Trainerize on the concept of relationships — connecting people to personal trainers and building stronger relationships between members and gyms. Trainerize connects people through technology — and we see AI making that relationship easier, not replacing the relationship itself.”

I covered the approach of industry leaders like Peloton, Apple Fitness+, and Mindbody–and then I chatted with our Product Director, Trevor Chong, for an AI chat to dig deeper into Trainerize’s future plans for AI, where he shared insights on how pattern recognition technology can help trainers be more efficient and strategic in their businesses.

After I published it, the piece caught the attention of industry great Jonathan Goodman (of the PTDC)! An iMessage chat between Jon and I usually involves some sort of taunt around Apple vs Casio, but this time he shared with me something that was incredible.

His personal scratch note thoughts on AI, from research he personally did. I started to read the document, and it. was. gold! What struck me was how quickly I was able to uncover the parallels between our thoughts, and also how we differ. I deeply respect JG’s view in the world of personal training, and felt I owed it to the community to write a follow-up to my initial AI article, and share the key takeaways from how JG sees AI in PT:

The Humans + Machines Philosophy

Jon’s notes:

• The intention is to combine the strengths of human and machine
• Symbiotic relationship between human and machine.
• While AI handles the routine optimization tasks, human beings will bring the personal, creative, and compassionate touch.

My article:

• We built Trainerize on the concept of relationships… and we see AI making that relationship easier, not replacing the relationship itself.
• We connect real trainers to real people and use technology to facilitate that relationship, not replace it.

What strikes me about both our views above, is the obsessive focus on AI enhancing the human element of personal training. It’s no surprise to see this parallel, as The PTDC and Trainerize embarked on similar missions at around the same time in the early 2010s.

Evolution of the Personal Trainer

Jon’s notes:

• The next batch of personal trainers would be well trained, but in activities requiring more emotional intelligence, not as mere vessels for the canon of programming or optimizing training protocols.
• They would form a perfect complement to the software, giving clients unparalleled accuracy in their programming and the ability to adapt dynamically, not sequentially in addition to the all-important human touch.

My article:

• At Trainerize, we see AI [handling] the data-side of coaching (surfacing valuable information and insights) and the trainer can manage the psychological/emotional side. This human element is so important to us.
• AI helps trainers scale their businesses…so trainers can spend more time on the human aspects of training.

Not sure how many people in the community are aware, but JG announced last month that he’s launching a new online training software product. This excites me, because we need more players in this space, so we push each other to get deeper into creating a product of value. JG hasn’t shared with me specifics on what his product will look like, but I’m sure that this is another notch in his journey to see through his vision of the evolution of the personal trainer… similar to how Trainerize has redefined personal training as a category maker in online training.

Accompanying Roles for AI

Jon’s notes:

• In essence, machines are doing what they do best: performing repetitive tasks, analyzing huge data sets, and handling routine cases. And humans are doing what they do best: resolving ambiguous information, exercising judgment in difficult cases, and dealing with dissatisfied customers.
• AI gives trainers superpowers: Huge, dynamic, and diverse space in which trainers and machines collaborate to attain orders-of-magnitude increases in performance.

My article:

• At Trainerize, we see AI guiding coaches and personal trainers on how to hyper-personalize their online client programs, analyzing data and providing stronger recommendations.
• [AI can handle] administrative and data-analysis efficiencies that only a machine can offer.

We both see it clearly: both the trainer and AI will play to their strengths — with the AI supporting the trainer with analysis and efficiency.

Preparing for AI-Related Industry Shifts

Jon’s notes:

• The real issue isn’t simply that human trainers will be replaced by AI; it’s that coaches need to be better prepared to work alongside it.
• Leading training companies will use this to reimagine their training processes, achieving outsize improvements in efficiency, effectiveness, and performance.
• The companies that learn how to work alongside AI lay the foundation for adaptable, robust business processes capable of withstanding economic shocks and increasing the rate of technological change.

My article:

• At Trainerize, we can help business owners prepare for the shift — by integrating technology into their businesses, diversifying their services between in-person and online experiences, and easing consumers into the world of digital fitness.

It’s a lot to think about! I’d like to thank Jonathan Goodman for sharing his insights with me and allowing me to share here. It’s a fascinating time in digital fitness, and I’m looking forward to many more conversations about how AI will impact the industry as a whole… and the occasional Casio vs. iPhone debate.