Today, gym members expect nothing less than a personalized, immersive, tech-enabled fitness experience that meets them where they are: physically, emotionally, and digitally.
According to Les Mills’ Global Fitness Report, 73% of Gen Z and Millennial exercisers are even willing to pay more for immersive fitness experiences.
This next wave of members grew up on gamification, wearables, and real-time feedback. And by 2026, AR, VR, and AI in fitness won’t be “nice-to-haves”; they’ll be baseline expectations. In this blog, we’ll explore:
- How AR will bring real-time guidance, smarter onboarding, and visual feedback into your gym without expensive renovations.
- Why VR is gaining ground as a powerful tool for hybrid memberships and immersive training experiences.
- How AI is already reshaping personalization, retention, and the day-to-day operations of leading clubs.
- And five clear actions your gym can take right now to stay competitive and tech-ready by 2026.
Let’s dive in.
The Rise of the Tech-Native Fitness Consumer
Millennials and Gen Z now make up over 70% of the global gym-going population.
Hailed as the ‘Generation Active’, these gymgoers think in tech. They track steps, compete in Strava leaderboards, follow smartwatches for cues, and expect experiences that adapt to their behavior. After all, this generation grew up with personalized playlists, algorithmic recommendations, and gamified progress. Now, they expect the same from their gym.
It’s why 89% of them use online or app-based workouts and why they’re more likely to switch clubs if the digital experience feels outdated or disconnected.
Generation Active comes in expecting more:
- Real-time progress tracking.
- Personalized recommendations based on goals and recovery.
- Immersive environments that make workouts feel like experiences, not chores.
According to Les Mills, three out of five say they actively seek out clubs and studios that offer “tech-forward” features like real-time progress tracking, app integration, and immersive experiences.
And the fitness industry is already responding.
- EōS Fitness uses AI-based assessments to tailor programming.
- Les Mills launched BODYCOMBAT VR for fully immersive at-home workouts.
- Liteboxer merges VR with real-time performance data and coaching.
This is where we’re headed: a world where fitness isn’t just physical. It’s experiential, smart, and context-aware.
For instance, Orangetheory Fitness has turned data into a retention engine. Their proprietary wearables and app ecosystem collect millions of data points, allowing them to:
- Deliver in-class personalization
- Trigger milestone rewards
- Send automated nudges to members at risk of dropping off
This kind of AI-assisted journey mapping isn’t futuristic. It’s already happening, and it’s part of why Orangetheory consistently reports some of the highest member retention rates in the industry.
Then there’s Barry’s, which has partnered with Therabody to bring on-site recovery tools like Theragun and WaveRoller into their studios.
They’re investing in integrated wellness experiences that connect workouts, recovery, and lifestyle.
Through a combination of in-studio recovery zones, virtual workout app integrations, and wearable tech, Barry’s is building a cohesive loop where members can track not just their workouts, but their energy, recovery, and overall progress, all from one ecosystem.
What AR Can Change Inside Your Gym?
Unlike virtual reality (which creates a fully digital world), AR enhances the real world: projecting digital information directly onto the user’s field of view or surroundings.
In the gym, this means helping members lift smarter, move better, and stay more engaged, all without requiring major hardware investments.
According to Les Mills’ 2023 Global Fitness Report, Generation Active overwhelmingly prefer working out with others, and they’re far more likely to experiment with new formats than older generations
1. Smarter Onboarding and Equipment Use
For first-time members, new equipment can feel intimidating. AR solves this by offering real-time, on-equipment guidance:
- A member walks up to a machine, scans a code, or uses an AR app.
- A digital overlay shows how to adjust the seat, align form, and execute reps.
- Visual cues help them feel confident, even if no trainer is nearby.
For instance, gyms like Basic‑Fit are already rolling this out, offering real-time, fitness AR app-based equipment tutorials that reduce intimidation and free up staff to focus on deeper engagement.
Outside the gym, Strava has also partnered with Snap Fitness to experiment with AR Lenses via Snapchat that let users visualize and share their performance stats like distance, time, or effort overlaid on their environment.
2. Real-Time Form Correction
AR overlays projected on mirrors or visible through wearables can identify posture issues, guide foot placement, and provide tempo cues. It’s like a personal trainer that never blinks. For strength training, mobility, or yoga, this delivers constant feedback without requiring one-on-one attention.
Tempo Studio and FORME Life, two connected fitness systems, for instance, use cameras and AR overlays to give members real-time visual feedback highlighting joint angles, posture breakdowns, and rep cadence. FitureAR-powered smart mirrors, though, already display form corrections and live feedback during workouts.
While these are mostly home systems now, their underlying technology is coming to commercial fitness.
3. Improving the Group Class Experience
Group fitness classes can feel more guided with lightweight AR tools. Members scan a QR code before class to access form demos or circuit instructions on their phone. Instructors can sync timers or send pacing prompts to keep everyone on track, especially in larger sessions where personal attention is limited. Wall-mounted screens can also display live performance metrics like time, rounds completed, or heart rate zones to boost energy and accountability.
Orangetheory Fitness, for instance, has long used in-studio screens to display live performance metrics (heart rate, splat points), and we’re starting to see early AR overlays being tested to display this data directly on glass walls or smart mirrors during class.
How VR Will Redefine Home & In-Gym Experiences?
By 2026, we’ll see VR play a pivotal role in helping clubs engage members both inside the gym and at home.
Here’s how VR will shape the gym landscape:
- Immersive Cardio Zones:
Clubs can dedicate space for virtual reality cardio where members row, run, or ride through stunning virtual destinations — all while tracked for real-time performance metrics. - Virtual Group Classes (In-Gym & At-Home):
Members can attend a fully virtual class, complete with instructor cues, background music, and other participants’ avatars. In-studio VR pods or headsets at home allow seamless switching between physical and digital attendance. - Gamification with Real Fitness Outcomes:
VR fitness apps like Supernatural and FitXR blend real-world resistance and cardio training with game-style rewards, boss battles, and level progression, all of which boost consistency and motivation.
- Branded VR Workouts:
Forward-thinking clubs are beginning to license or create branded VR workouts for hybrid memberships, extending the brand experience beyond four walls.
Les Mills BODYCOMBAT VR saw 50% higher engagement rates compared to traditional digital classes, with users logging more consistent workouts and stronger satisfaction scores. And with VR adoption increasing, this becomes a compelling differentiator, especially for clubs offering hybrid or tiered memberships.
Even one VR pod in your club can become a conversation starter, a referral magnet, and a hybrid retention tool.
How AI Is Transforming Personal Training?
Think of AI as your gym operations co-pilot. It’s there to help you make faster, smarter, more human decisions at scale.
When it comes to member experience, AI works silently in the background, learning from behavior, usage patterns, preferences, and results to help create a smarter gym environment.
Where it’s most impactful is in personalization at scale.
AI will shape the gym experience in three key ways:
1. Hyper-Personalized Fitness Programming
Let’s say a member misses two strength sessions in a week. Their AI-backed program adjusts on the fly, offering a short metabolic finisher instead of a full workout. Or it notices they’ve had poor sleep (via wearable data) and recommends active recovery.
Platforms like Tonal and Tempo already use AI to assess form, guide sets, and dynamically change routines based on performance, and that same logic is being applied in club software ecosystems.
2. Smarter Member Journeys
AI in fitness is revolutionizing the member lifecycle:
- Predictive churn models analyze attendance drops and behavior shifts to flag at-risk members.
- AI-backed messaging sends reminders or win-back offers automatically.
- Class recommendations evolve based on preferences, performance, and community behavior.
- Dynamic pricing or incentives get triggered by app usage patterns or visit frequency.
Clubs that adopted AI-driven personalization saw 20–30% higher retention rates (IHRSA Innovation Report, 2024). (Image)
And the longer members stay, the more value they get and the more value your club earns.
How Can You Start Bringing Tech Into Your Gym Today? (If You Haven’t Already)
If you want to remain competitive, or better yet, lead, now is the time to build your roadmap. Not everything needs to happen at once. But the gyms that thrive will be the ones that start layering in tech intentionally, with a clear focus on member experience and operational efficiency.
Here’s how to start preparing now:
1. Start with AI-Led Personalization
You don’t need expensive equipment or full-scale app development. Many gyms already have tools that can be activated with smarter workflows. Use AI to personalize at scale:
- Send smart booking nudges based on attendance patterns
- Recommend programs or classes tied to fitness goals and past behavior
- Segment your members by engagement level and automate follow-ups accordingly
Even simple automation through your gym software can dramatically improve engagement and retention.
2. Experiment with VR for Hybrid Tiers
You don’t have to go all-in with VR. Start small by:
- Offering a VR content add-on for at-home members (e.g., Les Mills, FitXR, Supernatural)
- Installing one VR station in the gym for trial experiences
- Creating a few branded workouts in VR format that reflect your studio’s training style
This can unlock new revenue streams and attract digital-first members who still want a connection to your brand.
3. Use AR for In-Gym Differentiation
AR is one of the easiest ways to modernize your club without renovating it.
- Add AR-guided tutorials on equipment to help new members feel more confident
- Integrate interactive smart mirrors or screens in high-use zones
- Test projection-based prompts in small group training areas to increase energy and self-guidance
These lightweight upgrades can significantly enhance the member experience and reduce reliance on staff for routine guidance.
4. Upskill Your Team
Technology is only as good as the people delivering it. Make sure your staff understands the tools available and how to talk about them with confidence.
- Train instructors on how to use AI-generated rosters or member insights
- Equip front desk staff to explain AR and VR app features clearly and enthusiastically
- Include tech walkthroughs in onboarding for all new hires
Your tech shouldn’t live in a silo. It should feel like a natural extension of your culture and service.
5. Market the Experience
Your members care about results, ease, and how they feel.
Focus your messaging on the experience: smarter onboarding, gamify your fitness, more engaging workouts, and more confident members.
Gyms and fitness facilities that act now, even with small steps, will be better positioned to meet rising expectations, differentiate from competitors, and build long-term loyalty with the next generation of fitness consumers.
Want to dig deeper into what’s coming next?
Check out our 2026 Fitness Trends blog, a detailed look at the emerging shifts, innovations, and member expectations that will shape the industry in the year ahead. Whether you’re planning new offerings or rethinking your tech stack, it’s the insight you need to stay one step ahead.
