TRANSCRIPT: GROUP FITNESS TRIPLE THREAT SERIES

AI is everywhere. You've seen it write captions, generate workouts, and even create entire virtual trainers. And let's be honest, some instructors are worried. Will AI replace us? No. But will it change the game? Absolutely.  AI can write your social media posts, draft your class descriptions, and automate your admin work.

But what it cannot do, at least now, is build a community, Motivate in real time  or coach with the instinct and experience of a human instructor. if you've seen live group fitness class numbers surge post pandemic, you already know this, but people crave connection.

AI can enhance what we do. But it won't replace us.  The smart instructors, they're learning how to use it, instead of fighting it. I'm Will Brereton, and today we're breaking down how AI is shaping group fitness. What it can actually do for you, and how you can use it to work smarter, not harder. Let's go. 

First up, the industry data. AI in fitness is exploding. From AI powered coaching to automated workout planning, the industry is moving fast.

In 2023, 80 percent of gym owners believed that AI would significantly impact their business. And I bet that number is higher now. The stats show that gyms that have implemented AI technologies have experienced a 33 percent increase in member retention rates. As AI continues to evolve, its adoption in gyms will rise.

And it can offer more personalized and efficient fitness experiences for members.

But at the same time, live classes are surging. Despite the rise of AI tools and the availability of AI generated workouts, in person fitness is stronger than ever. 

Even in a world where we're busy and the cost of living crisis is hitting our wallets, 74 percent of people still prefer live fitness classes over digital only workouts, which is a stat from MindBody in 2023. Now, gyms are adopting AI, but it's for efficiency, not replacement. AI driven scheduling, customer relationship management systems and chat bots are all helping fitness facilities to streamline their operations. But they still need human instructors. The industry has accepted that virtual and digital classes can augment a schedule and get classes happening in shoulder slots. But it can't replace what instructors do.

Even though it's pretty great, AI cannot give the same attention and feedback, at least yet. A great live instructor can spot a knee collapsing in a squat. They can see when fatigue is setting in, and they can adjust form before an injury happens. AI is a tool, it's not competition.

The real power of AI, it's going to free you up to focus on what actually matters. Coaching, connection, and community. 

Now for the analysis, how can you actually use AI to your advantage? So here's what it's great for. First up, automating admin work. For example, writing email newsletters to your mailing list, coming up with class descriptions that you can put on social media. And coming up with social media captions generally, AI can do all that for you. You can even give it previous samples of your work to allow it to speak in your voice. . So you can use it to save time, not replace you.

Next up, you can use it for generating programming ideas. If you're stuck for inspiration, AI tools like ChatGPT can help brainstorm class structures, exercise variations, workout themes, or workout names. But here's the important bit. It's still you who brings the expertise.

Trust me when I say that if you do use AI for programming ideas you're going to have to wade through a lot of crap results that you need to refine and sort through.

But, if you have a mental block and you just can't come up with that first grain of an idea AI is the perfect tool to get you started. 

Next up, it allows for personalization at scale. 

A lot of gyms and fitness apps are now using AI to analyze member data and suggest tailored workouts. This could help you as an instructor to offer a more personalized experience, but it's a tool, not a replacement for real coaching.

And the final point is that great form feedback is still a human job.  AI might be able to analyze movement patterns from a screen. But it can't walk up to someone, give them a cue, and see the correction in real time. That is still something that an instructor will always be better at.

And giving them the smile when they've done a good job and allowing them to feel confident in what they've just done. That's never going to be something that isn't best done by a person. 

Okay, next up, the actionable tips. How can you use AI without losing what makes you valuable? First up, use AI to free up your time.

Think about focusing on using it to handle repetitive admin work so that you can focus on what AI can't do. Coaching, and building a community. The most important thing for group fitness instructors. 

Next up, experiment with some AI tools.  Try ChatGPT for social posts. Try Canva’s AI for design. Or you can even try scheduling tools like Notion. Test out what works for you. And last up, stay human. 

AI is efficient. But your energy, motivation, and your person to person coaching are irreplaceable. This is why live fitness is still booming. In a world where more and more of our experiences are mediated through a screen, where we know that we're not talking to a real person, where we know that it's a chatbot that's answering our questions,

An in person experience with a passionate charismatic instructor is something that people are seeking out. Bottom line, AI isn't here to replace instructors. It's here to support them. The best instructors won't fight AI.  They'll use it to their advantage. 

So that's your AI game plan.

Next week is our final episode, where we're cutting through the social media noise to show you what actually works in class versus just what's trending online. Make sure you've got our free triple threat guide from the show notes. It's got actionable steps for everything we've covered. See you for our finale on the group fitness triple threat.