Latest news with #FredFitness
CNET
22-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
I Tested the First Full-Scale, AI-Powered Gym. It's Fun, but Humans Are Still Needed
Even from the sidewalk, Fred Fitness has you wanting to know more. Looking in, you'll see members with Therabody JetBoots wrapped around their legs, providing compression, vibration and red light therapy as they recover after a workout. But despite this peek at its tech, you wouldn't think Fred Fitness runs on AI with its open, welcoming space that includes warm wood beams, plant life, plush seating and a community table. However, as you venture further into the gym, you'll see it's filled with AI-powered machines and fitness tech designed to maximize your workouts. I was intrigued. As a wellness expert who pays close attention to whether new technology and trends can actually benefit our health, I aimed to find out if Fred Fitness, the first full-scale AI gym, could potentially be the future of fitness. Anna trying the Therabody JetBoots. Anna Gragert/CNET How does Fred Fitness work? Fred Fitness was launched in mid-February by CEO Andre Enzensberger, whose brother Alfred founded the Clever Fit gym franchise in Germany. To break into the US market with a unique concept, Alfred teamed up with smart fitness technology company EGYM, which created Genius, an AI that generates training plans. Fred Fitness is now the first full-scale EGYM. It all starts on your wrist, with a green band that is the key to your entire experience. It contains all your information and workout history -- your height, weight, strength, pace, reps, sets and even your biological age -- all controlled by Genius. Since it was my first time here, I was guided by General Manager Miguel Alvino, who emphasized, "We are super people-driven. The tech is just here to assist us." Alvino demonstrates how the wristband connects to the fitness hub. Anna Gragert/CNET In other words, it's not like your average gym where you can sign up and immediately begin working out on the machines. It involves teaching members how to use the machinery, and make adjustments. Fred Fitness has received negative feedback for taking away trainers' jobs with its AI tech, but even in the short time I was there, I saw several staff members walking around to offer members assistance. The Fred Fitness fitness assessment Every member starts with a fitness assessment, during which they learn their biological age. It takes about an hour. The equipment for this process is in its own section and contains an InBody body composition analyzer, EGYM chest press, leg press and two fitness hubs, where all the onboarding happens. You simply tap your wristband on the fitness hub, log in and answer questions about your birthdate, gym training experience, areas of the body you want to focus on, injuries and any pieces of exercise equipment you want to avoid. You also choose your main fitness goal out of the options general fitness, body toning, rehab, athletic, weight loss or muscle building. Each goal shows the different percentages the machine will use to create your workout. General fitness, the one I chose, is composed of 40% strength, 40% cardio and 20% mobility and flexibility. I then stepped back on a gray EGYM mat and the camera turned on to measure my height. It was spot on. I took my shoes and socks off to step on the InBody body composition analyzer. It recorded my weight and then I was instructed to grab onto the machine's arms so it could scan the rest of my body. Anna using the InBody body composition analyzer. Anna Gragert/CNET The fitness hub allows you to choose whether or not to see your body composition stats, such as your metabolic rate, muscle mass and fat mass for each arm and leg. Either way, it shows your biological age, so you know where you're starting. Alvino mentioned that you can retake your assessment. He often advises members to come back first thing in the morning when fasting to take the test for more accurate results. Next, I stepped back on the EGYM mat, was handed a wooden pole and began the flexibility test. The fitness hub demonstrated different stretches it wanted me to hold with the pole for balance and then used its camera to measure the degree of my flexibility. I struggled to follow the machine here, and occasionally the camera was unable to recognize my purple sneakers, so I appreciated that Alvino was there. Eventually, I had to remove my sneakers, and the camera was better able to identify my bright white socks. I could also understand why members would want the option to retake the test after they are used to the machinery. Anna taking the flexibility test. Anna Gragert/CNET Next, I took the strength test, which involved logging into chest and leg press machines with my wristband so the equipment could have my information. All equipment runs on gamification software, which Alvino compared to Pac-Man. Essentially, after a tutorial, you push and pull the machine to make a circle go up or down along a path where you can collect coins on the screen. At certain points, the machine would remind me to breathe out. I enjoyed this aspect of it, since I didn't feel like I was working out, and I was still able to focus on what I was doing. Anna tests her strength on the leg press. Anna Gragert/CNET Each machine currently has four different training modes: regular, negative, eccentric and concentric. Because the machines are electric, they can maximize your muscle contractions by providing resistance. As I got set up at the different machines, Alvino adjusted them for my arm and leg length but mentioned that an "extremity update" would soon be coming that would have the machines measure your limbs and adjust for this automatically. Though a trainer will still be there to make sure it's the right fit, this should decrease the amount of physical adjustments they have to make. At this point, I realized how crucial Alvino's presence was during this test and asked if members typically do it by themselves with the machine as their only guide. "Originally, that was the idea of how it worked. Early on, we learned that was never going to be a thing," he said. "We've shifted even more so that original idea to now you can see [trainers] walking around and we are fully staffed at all times. That's because we want to make sure we have human people available and trainers on staff." Next was my final test -- the cardio test. Fred Fitness uses new Matrix treadmills that were launched at the end of 2024. These machines allow you to log into Netflix, Spotify and more. You also only have to do so once because your wristband saves all that info for you. The treadmills also use a gamification system, in which you have to keep pace so that a ball moves along a corridor on your screen. During the test, it asks you every 60 seconds what your fatigue level is, and once you hit nine, the workout will stop. You can also pause at any time. Anna taking the cardio test. Anna Gragert/CNET This was another part of the test when I was glad to have a human guide. When the treadmill picked up the pace faster than I expected, I wanted it to pause, but had trouble pressing on the touchscreen. Then, the faster it went, the more trouble I had because I was focused on running and not falling over. Eventually, Alvino had to come over to stop the machine for me. The Genius AI workout plan Between the cardio, strength and flexibility tests, the fitness hub was able to show me my biological age for each category, which gave me a good idea of what I have to work on. Then, Genius uses these metrics to generate a workout plan, which you can access on the Fred Fitness app. All of this is included in the membership, which is $150 per month. There are no hidden fees -- the only add-on is an extra $15 per month charge if you'd like the gym to provide you with towels for showering. Alvino showing us his Genius workout plan on the Fred Fitness app. Anna Gragert/CNET If you don't like the workout plan Genius creates, you can re-order the exercises or do "individual" mode instead, treating it like a normal gym where you do whatever you want. As part of the membership, you can also sit down with one of the Fred Fitness personal trainers, who can use the Genius plan as a base, but then further customize the whole plan so that you'll enjoy it more. Trainers can also upload their own workouts into the app, for which there are options you can do at home or when traveling. Once you're done with your fitness assessment and have your plan, you're free to use the entire gym. In addition to the machines in the general "open mode" area, there is a circuit training area where you can do a full-body workout in 40 minutes, a "game day" area where members can compete to get their name on a leader board and win a prize (this month, it's a $300 InBody smart scale), a cardio deck, specialty machines and dumbbells. The Fred Fitness "game day" area and leaderboard. Anna Gragert/CNET Interestingly, downstairs, there is an "analog room" where they keep the AI tech out. Here, you can find Hyperice massage guns, a cable system, ZeroWheels (which Alvino dubbed "the ab rollers of the future"), yoga mats and foam rollers. Upstairs, there are locker rooms complete with Dyson Airwraps and hand dryers, so tech is omnipresent in the gym. The analog room. Anna Gragert/CNET The future of fitness -- and Fred Fitness "We've learned a lot with this one. When we opened, we had no dumbbells. We had no cable system. We're just paying attention," said Alvino. "We'll probably never be that gym that has a sauna or cold plunge. We want to stay focused on what we're really good at and let the people who are really good at that stuff do that stuff." However, Fred Fitness does recognize that some members want those other amenities, so on its app, it offers discounts to businesses that offer cold plunges, saunas, healthy meals, supplements and more. One of the most surprising aspects of the gym is that, other than the energetic workout music, it's relatively quiet. There is no clinking or clanking machinery -- just a peaceful hum. As someone who is sensitive to loud sounds and can experience sensory sensitivity when overstimulated, I could see myself enjoying workouts here. A view of the machine floors. Anna Gragert/CNET Since fully opening on Feb. 15, Fred Fitness has about 600 members. Within nine months to a year, Fred Fitness plans to open a new location in Culver City, California. As if on cue, when I walked out of the gym, a self-driving car was parked outside. While I watched it drive off, I asked myself: Is an AI-powered gym something I would sign up for? If I could afford the $150 per month membership and it was in my area, I would. I like the AI-driven training that personalizes your workouts and adapts each machine to your plan, but most importantly, I appreciate that there are personal trainers there who can correct your form. I would say that this gym would be great for someone who doesn't want human contact when they work out, but I do think that personal touch (literally) is still essential -- at least for now.
CNET
12-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
I Tried the First Full-Scale, AI-Powered Gym: Is It the Future of Fitness?
When you walk into Santa Monica's newly opened Fred Fitness, you wouldn't think, "This place runs on AI." The space is open and welcoming, with warm wood beams, plant life scattered throughout, a comfy couch, window seating and even a community table where members can work between workouts. But as you venture further into the space, that's when you see it's filled with AI-powered machines and fitness tech designed to maximize your fitness journey. Even on the window seats that look out onto the sidewalk, all members have access to Therabody JetBoots for compression, vibration and red light therapy to boost recovery. And behind the front desk -- where, yes, there are people to help you -- there's a Therabody massage gun. Anna trying the Therabody JetBoots. Anna Gragert/CNET I was intrigued. As a wellness expert who pays close attention to whether new technology and trends can actually benefit our health, I aimed to find out if Fred Fitness, the first full-scale AI gym, could potentially be the way of the future. How does Fred Fitness work? Fred Fitness was officially launched in mid-February by CEO Andre Enzensberger, whose brother Alfred founded the Clever Fit gym franchise in Germany. To break into the US market with a unique concept, Alfred teamed up with smart fitness technology company EGYM, which created Genius, an AI that generates training plans. Fred Fitness is now the first full-scale EGYM. It all starts on your wrist, with a green band that is the key to your entire experience. It contains all your information and workout history -- your height, weight, strength, pace, reps, sets and even your biological age -- all controlled by Genius. Since it was my first time here, I was guided by General Manager Miguel Alvino, who emphasized, "We are super people-driven. The tech is just here to assist us." Alvino demonstrates how the wristband connects to the fitness hub. Anna Gragert/CNET In other words, it's not like your average gym where you can sign up and immediately begin working out on the machines. It involves teaching members how to use the machinery, and make adjustments. Fred Fitness has received negative feedback for taking away trainers' jobs with its AI tech, but even in the short time I was there, I saw several staff members walking around to offer members assistance. The Fred Fitness fitness assessment Every member starts with a fitness assessment, during which they learn their biological age. It takes about an hour. The equipment for this process is in its own section and contains an InBody body composition analyzer, EGYM chest press, leg press and two fitness hubs, where all the onboarding happens. You simply tap your wristband on the fitness hub, log in and answer questions about your birthdate, gym training experience, areas of the body you want to focus on, injuries and any pieces of exercise equipment you want to avoid. You also choose your main fitness goal out of the options general fitness, body toning, rehab, athletic, weight loss or muscle building. Each goal shows the different percentages the machine will use to create your workout. General fitness, the one I chose, is composed of 40% strength, 40% cardio and 20% mobility and flexibility. I then stepped back on a gray EGYM mat and the camera turned on to measure my height. It was spot on. I took my shoes and socks off to step on the InBody body composition analyzer. It recorded my weight and then I was instructed to grab onto the machine's arms so it could scan the rest of my body. Anna using the InBody body composition analyzer. Anna Gragert/CNET The fitness hub allows you to choose whether or not to see your body composition stats, such as your metabolic rate, muscle mass and fat mass for each arm and leg. Either way, it shows your biological age, so you know where you're starting. Alvino mentioned that you can retake your assessment. He often advises members to come back first thing in the morning when fasting to take the test for more accurate results. Next, I stepped back on the EGYM mat, was handed a wooden pole and began the flexibility test. The fitness hub demonstrated different stretches it wanted me to hold with the pole for balance and then used its camera to measure the degree of my flexibility. I struggled to follow the machine here, and occasionally the camera was unable to recognize my purple sneakers, so I appreciated that Alvino was there. Eventually, I had to remove my sneakers, and the camera was better able to identify my bright white socks. I could also understand why members would want the option to re-take the test after they are used to the machinery. Anna taking the flexibility test. Anna Gragert/CNET Next, I took the strength test, which involved logging into chest and leg press machines with my wristband so the equipment could have my information. All equipment runs on gamification software, which Alvino compared to Pac-Man. Essentially, after a tutorial, you push and pull the machine to make a circle go up or down along a path where you can collect coins on the screen. At certain points, the machine would remind me to breathe out. I enjoyed this aspect of it, since I didn't feel like I was working out, and I was still able to focus on what I was doing. Anna continuing the strength test on the leg press. Anna Gragert/CNET Each machine currently has four different training modes: regular, negative, eccentric and concentric. Because the machines are electric, they can maximize your muscle contractions by providing resistance. As I got set up at the different machines, Alvino adjusted them for my arm and leg length but mentioned that an "extremity update" would soon be coming that would have the machines measure your limbs and adjust for this automatically. Though a trainer will still be there to make sure it's the right fit, this should decrease the amount of physical adjustments they have to make. At this point, I realized how crucial Alvino's presence was during this test and asked if members typically do it by themselves with the machine as their only guide. "Originally, that was the idea of how it worked. Early on, we learned that was never going to be a thing," he said. "We've shifted even more so that original idea to now you can see [trainers] walking around and we are fully staffed at all times. That's because we want to make sure we have human people available and trainers on staff." Next was my final test -- the cardio test. Fred Fitness uses new Matrix treadmills that were launched at the end of 2024. These machines allow you to log into Netflix, Spotify and more. You also only have to do so once because your wristband saves all that info for you. The treadmills also use a gamification system, in which you have to keep pace so that a ball moves along a corridor on your screen. During the test, it asks you every 60 seconds what your fatigue level is, and once you hit nine, the workout will stop. You can also pause at any time. Anna taking the cardio test. Anna Gragert/CNET This was another part of the test when I was glad to have a human guide. When the treadmill picked up the pace faster than I expected, I wanted it to pause, but had trouble pressing on the touchscreen. Then, the faster it went, the more trouble I had because I was focused on running and not falling over. Eventually, Alvino had to come over to stop the machine for me. The Genius AI workout plan Between the cardio, strength and flexibility tests, the fitness hub was able to show me my biological age for each category, which gave me a good idea of what I have to work on. Then, Genius uses these metrics to generate a workout plan, which you can access on the Fred Fitness app. All of this is included in the membership, which is $150/month. There are no hidden fees -- the only add-on is an extra $15/month charge if you'd like the gym to provide you with towels for showering. Alvino showing us his Genius workout plan on the Fred Fitness app. Anna Gragert/CNET If you don't like the workout plan Genius creates, you can re-order the exercises or do "individual" mode instead, treating it like a normal gym where you do whatever you want. As part of the membership, you can also sit down with one of the Fred Fitness personal trainers, who can use the Genius plan as a base, but then further customize the whole plan so that you'll enjoy it more. Trainers can also upload their own workouts into the app, for which there are options you can do at home or when traveling. Once you're done with your fitness assessment and have your plan, you're free to use the entire gym. In addition to the machines in the general "open mode" area, there is a circuit training area where you can do a full-body workout in 40 minutes, a "game day" area where members can compete to get their name on a leader board and win a prize (this month, it's a $300 InBody smart scale), a cardio deck, specialty machines and dumbbells. The Fred Fitness "game day" area and leaderboard. Anna Gragert/CNET Interestingly, downstairs, there is an "analog room" where they keep the AI tech out. Here, you can find Hyperice massage guns, a cable system, ZeroWheels (which Alvino dubbed "the ab rollers of the future"), yoga mats and foam rollers. Upstairs, there are locker rooms complete with Dyson Airwraps and hand dryers, so tech is omnipresent in the gym. The analog room. Anna Gragert/CNET The future of fitness -- and Fred Fitness "We've learned a lot with this one. When we opened, we had no dumbbells. We had no cable system. We're just paying attention," said Alvino. "We'll probably never be that gym that has a sauna or cold plunge. We want to stay focused on what we're really good at and let the people who are really good at that stuff do that stuff." However, Fred Fitness does recognize that some members want those other amenities, so on its app, it offers discounts to businesses that offer cold plunges, saunas, healthy meals, supplements and more. One of the most surprising aspects of the gym is that, other than the energetic workout music, it's relatively quiet. There is no clinking or clanking machinery -- just a peaceful hum. As someone who is sensitive to loud sounds and can experience sensory sensitivity when overstimulated, I could see myself enjoying workouts here. A view of the machine floors. Anna Gragert/CNET Since fully opening on Feb. 15, Fred Fitness has about 600 members. Within nine months to a year, Fred Fitness plans to open a new location in Culver City, Los Angeles. As if on cue, when I walked out of the gym, a self-driving car was parked outside. While I watched it drive off, I asked myself: Is an AI-powered gym something I would sign up for? If I could afford the $150/month membership and it was in my area, I would. I like the AI-driven training that personalizes your workouts and adapts each machine to your plan, but most importantly, I appreciate that there are personal trainers there who can correct your form. I would say that this gym would be great for someone who doesn't want human contact when they work out, but I do think that personal touch (literally) is still essential -- at least for now.
South China Morning Post
11-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
Is this AI-powered gym the future of fitness? Personalised workouts created by a Genius
The Genius knows all. It knows my height, my weight, my hydration, my cardio stamina – even, regrettably, my body's visceral fat percentage. Advertisement I am standing on a bioelectrical impedance device – which looks a lot like a scale but with metal handles and metal foot pads – and it is sending low-grade, painless electrical signals through my hands and feet to measure my muscle, fat and water content. The percentages of each are then fed into an AI program. Welcome to Fred Fitness, which touts itself as Los Angeles' 'first full-scale AI-powered gym'. You might be wondering: what does that even mean? Mostly that its AI-powered software, referred to as Genius, is integrated into every piece of cardio and strength equipment at the gym. Throughout your workout, it functions as an ever-present force with an agenda: to help you reach your training goal, whether that is weight loss strength building or toning, in the most efficient way possible. Advertisement The facility opened in mid-February in a 1,068 square metre (11,500 sq ft) former outdoor wear and gear store in the city in the US state of California. Fred Fitness CEO Andre Enzensberger says the gym has about 400 members, who pay US$150 a month to be bossed around by an algorithm.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
An inside look at Fred Fitness, LA's first AI-powered gym
(NewsNation) — Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the gym experience, and it's already taking over workouts in California. Fred Fitness, located in Santa Monica, claims to be Los Angeles' 'first AI-powered fitness club.' The gym uses software known as Genius, which is integrated into all the cardio and strength machines to enhance members' workouts. Genius guides members toward their fitness goals by adapting to their progress and ensuring maximum efficiency. It's like a digital network that supports them throughout their training, helping them achieve their goals faster. Sheriff's office uses AI to make suspect's photo appear to speak Fred Fitness offers a highly personalized, AI-driven experience. Potential members undergo a full-body assessment with Genius, establishing a fitness baseline. Afterwards, a human trainer takes them through circuits on machines that test your strength, cardio, and flexibility. Based on all this data, Genius assigns members a 'biological age' different from your actual age. Genisus AI knows members' names and body analysis data and configures personalized workout programs customized to their goals and fitness abilities. Members set their fitness goals, for example, weight loss or muscle gain, and Genius calculates how to achieve them. It offers a customized training program that adapts to their body, adjusting the machine's seat and handles based on height and limb length. As members progress, Genius adapts, evolving with their fitness journey. Youngkin vetoes AI regulation legislation in Virginia The machines also incorporate gamification, where members can earn points, similar to a 'Pac-Man' game, with the added bonus of helping regulate your workout's pacing. This keeps members training at the right speed, maximizing the time under tension for a more effective workout. While AI plays a major role in precision and efficiency, human trainers still provide essential support, offering form corrections and personal consultations. Andre Enzensberger, the CEO of Fred Fitness, told the LA Times that this blend of technology and personal touch is key to the gym's success. Fred Fitness, which opened in mid-February, already has around 400 members, each paying $150 per month, Enzensberger said. The gym draws inspiration from the European-based chain Clever Fit, founded by Enzensberger's brother Alfred. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
31-03-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Want to be bossed around by an algorithm? Try L.A.'s ‘first full-scale AI powered gym'
The genius knows all. It knows my height, my weight, my hydration, my cardio stamina — even, regrettably, my body's visceral fat percentage. I'm standing on a bioelectrical impedance device — which looks a lot like a scale but with metal handles and metal foot pads — and it's sending low-grade, painless electrical signals through my hands and feet to measure my muscle, fat and water. The percentages of each are then fed into an AI program. Welcome to Fred Fitness, which touts itself as L.A.'s 'first full-scale AI-powered gym.' You might be wondering: What does that even mean? Mostly that AI-powered software, referred to as Genius, is integrated into every piece of cardio and strength equipment at the gym. Throughout your workout, it functions as an ever-present but imperceptible force, sparking beneath the surface, like a digital mycelium network with an agenda: to help you reach your training goal (whether that's weight loss, strength building or toning) in the most efficient way possible. The Santa Monica facility opened in mid-February in an 11,500-square-foot former Patagonia store on 4th Street. Fred Fitness CEO Andre Enzensberger says the gym has about 400 members, who pay $150 a month to be bossed around by an algorithm. At first glance, Fred Fitness looks like nothing more than a high-end gym in a tony neighborhood. It's airy and bright, with soaring ceilings, exposed wood rafters and leafy hanging plants. On a recent Wednesday afternoon, it was sparsely populated, with just a few dozen members working out on brand-new, still-gleaming treadmills, bikes and elliptical machines. The strength machines use electric motors to create resistance instead of physical weights, so there's no clanking. It's relatively quiet but for the whirring of cardio equipment and a blend of lo-fi and electronic pop music on the sound system. Not exactly 'The Matrix.' But the exercise machines at Fred Fitness are tailored to you. They know members' names and body analysis data, and they've configured personalized workout programs customized to their goals and fitness abilities. They're also gamified, meaning their screens display a 'Pac-Man'-like video game that members 'play' by moving the weight during reps and sets. Grab the handles of a seated rowing machine, for example, and pull the weight faster or slower to move your on-screen avatar — a ball — up or down within a maze and 'eat' coins as you go. Competitive? The gym keeps track of your scores, if you choose to participate, and displays the information on an app and a wall-mounted monitor to encourage a sense of community. 'I love it because it's fun and totally automated,' says Keverton Marinho, a 32-year-old new member. 'I just play — I don't have to think about anything.' The gamification may be fun, but it's purposeful too, Enzensberger says. 'It helps members train at the correct speed,' he says. 'It regulates time under tension, meaning how fast you push or how slow you release the weight. So your workout is more effective.' There's no joining fee at Fred Fitness and the month-to-month membership includes access to certified personal trainers — though not unlimited sessions — who consult with members about their AI-generated training programs. Trainers also wander the gym floor, answering questions and offering corrections when they notice someone's form is off. That human element is critical, Enzensberger says. 'AI is so big right now, but we're very proud of the human aspect of our gym — the team — and how we complement the AI precision,' he said. Before joining, potential members undergo a free full-body assessment from Genius to get a fitness baseline. A 'body composition analyzer' breaks down fat and lean muscle mass limb by limb and gives stats about foundational muscle strength, base metabolic rate and hydration levels, among other metrics. That information is then interpreted by the AI. Many gyms offer fitness assessments when you sign up for personal training, and luxury health clubs, such as Equinox and Santa Monica's Love Life, do in-depth health and fitness testing for new members; but most regular gym memberships don't include fitness assessments. After the body composition analysis, which measures your metabolism, a human trainer leads the member-to-be through different exercise circuits on machines that measure their strength, cardio and flexibility. There's also a series of on-screen questions related to workout goals, exercise experience and preferences. Genius then assigns the member a 'biological age' — different from your chronological age in years. It's like an overall fitness score, says Fred Fitness general manager Miguel Alvino. 'It's a metric we use to give people an idea of where their strength and areas of improvement are compared to their calendar age,' Alvino explains. From that point on, when you log onto an exercise machine with your wristband, it calls up your personalized training program. The machine then physically adjusts to your height and limb length, raising or lowering its seat and altering the position of its handles according to your body. The AI is also adaptive, utilizing machine learning. So it will evolve with you as you get fitter. 'The machines continue to learn about your capabilities,' Enzensberger says. 'And that data is collected and fed into the AI to constantly generate a better training program for you.' Fred Fitness is the brain child of Andre Enzensberger's brother, Alfred, who is the president and founder of Munich-based Clever Fit, a fitness franchise with more than 500 locations throughout Europe. Alfred Enzensberger partnered with Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer, CEO of EGYM, a global fitness technology company also based in Munich, in 2023 to create a full AI gym. EGYM wrote Genius, which was deployed in August 2024. They brought in Andre Enzensberger as CEO. There are other gyms with smart or AI-powered equipment in Southern California, such as L.A.'s EōS Fitness (with equipment from EGYM) and Smart Fit Method in Orange County. But at Fred Fitness, 'Every piece of machinery is tied into the network,' Andre Enzensberger says. 'We're utilizing what the AI system can do on a much larger, fuller scale.' Los Angeles was the ideal city in which to launch the venture, given its history as a hub for fitness and tech culture, he says. 'We wanted to embrace the open-mindedness of the people of Los Angeles. Fred Fitness is groundbreaking and requires people who want to experience training in a new way.' I enjoyed Genius' guidance during my workout. The treadmill set itself to a lower speed than I normally run at, though at a higher incline, because Genius knew my exercise goal was strength building, not weight loss. And I loved the gamification element of the weight-lifting machines, even going so far as to laugh out loud mid-rep — though I wonder whether the game would get old over time. But in the end, what keeps me coming back to a gym is the promise of a sauna or steam after my workout. And Fred Fitness, unfortunately, doesn't provide those amenities, which was disappointing. But growth is on the horizon. A second Fred Fitness is now underway in downtown Culver City — it's planning to open in early 2026 — and the company hopes to open four additional facilities within three to five years. The locations under consideration are downtown L.A., West Hollywood and Glendale. 'This is just a modern gym that's fun to use — and people love it because it takes the guesswork out,' Enzensberger says. 'Everything is fully guided.'
