Hybrid fitness is here: How to launch virtual and AI-personalized classes

Remember when we all thought virtual fitness was just a pandemic band-aid? Turns out it stuck around because it actually works. Hybrid fitness combines your regular gym classes with virtual options, along with some smart tech personalization. Nothing fancy…just giving people more ways to work out.

Your members are juggling work, kids, travel, whatever. They still love showing up to class when they can, but sometimes they need to do a 6 AM workout from their hotel room. The ACSM 2024 fitness trends survey keeps putting wearables and apps at the top because people actually use them. 

For gym owners, this isn't just trendy, but it's practical. You keep your local community while reaching people who have moved away or travel constantly. Plus, you give members what they're already asking for: Options that fit their schedule.

This page tackles what you need to know about hybrid fitness. Read on to learn how to launch both virtual and AI-personalized classes that wow your members.

Source: Pexels

Understanding the hybrid fitness model

Here's what hybrid fitness actually looks like in practice:

• Your regular classes keep running as usual
• You stream some live and record others for later
• Tech helps track progress and suggest workouts

Case in point: Your members might hit your Tuesday spin class, then do a quick strength session from your app on Thursday when they're slammed at work. You're not replacing anything, but just adding options. It's a great way for them to stay committed to their fitness goals amid their busy schedules!

Take it from Nicolas Breedlove, CEO at PlaygroundEquipment. He's always preoccupied with overseeing various projects for the equipment installation. That's why he sees the benefit of having a virtual workout when hitting a gym is sometimes impossible.

However, Breedlove suggests, "The key to hybrid fitness success lies in treating virtual classes with the same production value as in-studio sessions. When members see professional lighting, clear audio, and engaging instructors on screen, they feel just as connected as they would in person. This approach has allowed many fitness centers to retain members who relocated and attract new ones from outside our geographic area."

The role of tech in hybrid fitness

There's no denying the role of technology in hybrid fitness. Think of installing CCTVs in your studio, using digital tools for live streaming, and even how to make workout videos.

Sure, the tech part sounds scarier than it is. BUT, you just basically need:

• Something to stream classes (Zoom works fine to start)
• A way to track workouts (wearables help but aren't required)
• Software that suggests workouts based on what members have been doing
• A booking system that doesn't make people want to throw their phone

Learn from Jeffrey Zhou, CEO and Founder of Fig Loans. He recognizes the role of technology in every industry, whether finance or fitness. 

Zhou says, "Your technology stack should work as one cohesive system. When your streaming platform talks directly to your booking system and member database, you create a frictionless experience."

He continues, "For hybrid fitness, for example, your members can book, join, and track their progress without jumping between multiple apps. This significantly improves retention and satisfaction for your workout center."

Source: Pexels

How to launch virtual and AI-personalized classes

Before you dive in, take a moment to check keyword difficulty and competition for your chosen fitness niche. Understanding what people are searching for helps you tailor your class titles, descriptions, and content to attract the right audience. 

Once you know where you stand, you can confidently build and promote classes that blend virtual convenience with AI-powered personalization. Here's how:

Offering virtual fitness classes

Let's be honest: Your first virtual class will probably be awkward. Mine was. The camera was too low, I forgot to unmute, and I spent half the warm-up adjusting my mic. But you know what? People still worked out and came back next week.

The key is to choose the right fitness class to start with. It should be one that already engages your members in person and easily translates to a virtual format. Here's how:

• Start small and stream what works best. Pick your most popular class format and stream it once or twice a week. Use whatever camera you have as your phone works if that's what you've got. Just prop it up so people can see your whole body.
• Invest in clear audio and smart music choices. For audio, a basic wireless mic makes a huge difference. Music licensing gets tricky for recorded classes, so stick with royalty-free tracks or keep the good stuff for live-only sessions.
• Stay consistent and make joining effortless. The technical setup matters less than being consistent. If you say class is on Tuesdays at 6, be there every Tuesday at 6. Send the Zoom link the night before and again 15 minutes before class. Make it stupid easy for people to join.
• Engage your members like they're in the room. During class, use people's names when you see them in the chat. Give options for every movement. Afterwards, post the recording so they can do it again later. Nothing groundbreaking…just the basics done well!

Providing AI-personalized fitness experiences

AI in fitness sounds like sci-fi, but it's really just smart programming that adjusts based on how people are doing. Beyond training plans, businesses are now using AI to optimize their fitness business marketing, from analyzing member behavior and predicting churn to personalizing outreach and offers. Think of it like having a coach who remembers everything, like:

• What weights you used last week
• When you said your shoulder was cranky
• How you tend to skip leg day

Andy Wang, Marketing Manager at Skywork.ai, recommends harnessing the power of artificial intelligence for your business. He highlights its value for data-driven forecasting, customer experience personalization, and efficient business reporting.

Wang explains, "AI personalization transforms member data into actionable fitness insights. By analyzing workout history, progress metrics, and even recovery patterns, we can suggest modifications that a personal trainer would make. This technology allows every member to receive customized programming that adapts as they grow stronger, preventing plateaus and reducing injury risk."

Here's how to provide an AI-personalized fitness experience:

• Start by collecting personal details: You don't need to become a full-fledged robot coach. Gather basic info: What are their goals, any injuries, and how often can they work out? 
• Then, use simple rules. If someone's been crushing it for three weeks, bump up the intensity. If they marked yesterday's workout as "brutal," maybe suggest something lighter today. 
• Lastly, keep your trainers involved. Let them override suggestions and check in with members. The tech handles the busy work, allowing coaches to focus on actual coaching.

Source: Pexels

Overcoming challenges in hybrid fitness

Every gym hits the same snags with hybrid. Here's what you'll probably face and how to deal with it:

Challenge 1: "We can't afford a whole production studio."

Solution: You don't need one. I've seen great classes filmed in a corner with a ring light and a decent mic. Start there.

Challenge 2: "Our instructors aren't comfortable on camera."

Solution: Fair. Being on camera feels weird at first. Let them practice with just the staff watching. Shorter classes help, too. 25 minutes fly by compared to an hour.

Challenge 3: "Members aren't using the virtual options."

Solution: They won't if you don't talk about it. Run a challenge where participants must complete two virtual and two in-person classes within a week. Make it part of your regular routine, not something separate.

Challenge 4: "The tech keeps breaking."

Solution: Write a checklist. Test everything 10 minutes before class. Have a backup plan (usually just switching to phone hotspot when the Wi-Fi dies). 

Tech fails sometimes, so roll with it. Ask for feedback, but keep it simple. After class, text them: "Audio okay? Could you see everything? What should we do differently?" Then, actually fix the stuff they mention.

The future of hybrid fitness

Adrian Iorga, Founder and President at 617 Boston Movers, emphasizes the importance of fitness for his moving company. He looks forward to offering his employees hybrid fitness when logistics allow. As such, he tracks fitness tech trends globally and sees where this is heading:

Iorga shares, "Fitness providers who invest in hybrid infrastructure today are positioning themselves for tomorrow's market. We're already seeing early adopters of VR fitness classes and AR-guided workouts gain significant market share. The facilities that combine physical spaces with digital innovation will capture both local communities and global audiences."

VR workouts and form-checking cameras are coming, but they're not here yet for most gyms. What matters now is getting the basics right. People still just want to hit their 150 minutes of weekly exercise without it being a huge hassle.

The wellness market keeps growing because people want to feel better. There's no sign of stopping or even slowing down. But fancy tech only helps if it makes working out easier, not more complicated.

Final thoughts

Look, hybrid fitness isn't rocket science. You're taking what already works (your classes, your community, your coaching) and making it available in more ways. Some days, people come to the gym. On other days, they work out from home. Both count!

If you want to start tomorrow, here's what to do: Pick one class. Set up a basic camera and mic. Stream it on Zoom. Use something like Rezerv.co to handle bookings so you're not manually sending links all day. See how it goes. Adjust. Try again next week.

The members who moved away will thank you. The ones who travel will stay subscribed. And the locals? They'll love having options for those days when life gets in the way.

You built your gym to help people move more and feel better. Hybrid fitness gives you more ways to do that. No need to overthink it. If you're ready to simplify scheduling, payments, and class management, check out Rezerv. It's your all-in-one fitness software designed to make running hybrid fitness programs effortless!

Read next: The best platforms to host your online gym classes

Author’s Bio: Jesse Galanis is a professional writer who decomposes complex concepts of business information and working online. He provides quality content that assists people in everyday life.