Treadmills, stationary bikes, and ellipticals are go-to gym equipment that make it easier for people to exercise and unwind, but other kinds of fitness technology are just as important. From wearable trackers to digital dashboards to biometric scanners, the best fitness tech creates a more satisfying experience for gym members, operators, and owners. Technological advances have opened up new doors to optimize workouts and improve operations for gyms and other fitness centers.
In this article, you’ll learn what qualifies as fitness tech, how it can strengthen your business, and what part artificial intelligence (AI) has to play. To help you navigate this ever-changing industry, we’ve also put together a list of the best fitness technology companies.
What is fitness technology? #
Fitness technology refers to the tools, devices, and platforms people use to enable and track their fitness activity and improve their health. It’s useful for personal use at home as well as in gyms, yoga studios, and other fitness facilities.
The evolution of fitness tech #
In the early days, what people now think of as fitness technology primarily consisted of basic pedometers and exercise equipment, which have existed for more than a century. However, recent years have seen a major transformation in fitness technologies, making them more portable, personalized, and connected.
For example, while primitive step trackers could only capture the number of steps you took each day, more sophisticated devices can now monitor the distance you’ve traveled, your speed, and the incline of the walking surface. Guided exercise has also transitioned from workout videos on VHS tapes to elaborate fitness apps and virtual training programs with AI avatars.
Advantages of wellness tech #
Fitness technologies are beneficial to individual users and business owners alike, particularly as they have become more integrated with overall healthcare and wellness. Many wearable devices can track your heart rate, sleep patterns, and physical activity and detect irregularities. Users can share this information with their healthcare providers, who can use it to keep an eye on chronic conditions and flag potential health concerns.
Fitness tech has also become more valuable to owners of gyms and other types of exercise or wellness businesses. It allows for improved automation, marketing, and customer service. With the right solutions, businesses can streamline their operations and cut costs. Technology also offers a way for gyms and other fitness centers to separate themselves from the competition, offering a premium experience for members without driving up expenses.
The most impactful types of fitness tech #
Fitness tech comes in many shapes, sizes, and forms, and many kinds offer unique advantages to fitness enthusiasts as well as gym and other fitness business owners. The most effective fitness technology examples allow you to improve the member experience, operate more efficiently, and keep your facility secure.
Wearables #
Wearable fitness devices, such as smartwatches, are powerful and convenient. People use them to track their workouts, record calories burned, and monitor their heart rates. At the same time, business owners can leverage this technology to give members a safer and more enjoyable experience.
For example, gyms can use the data from a member’s wearable device to develop customized workouts and challenges based on their specific needs. They can also create virtual challenges, which members can participate in by tracking their performance on their wearable device.
Gyms with access control systems can allow their members to unlock doors with their watches. Rather than having to keep up with a membership card or even their phone, they can simply tap the right door in their smartwatch app to access the gym and start their workout.
App-based platforms #
From a business owner’s perspective, few fitness technologies are as important as gym management systems with customer relationship management (CRM) and check-in software.
CRM allows you to manage and improve connections with existing and potential customers. You can use it to control many aspects of your gym or fitness center, including:
- Membership
- Scheduling
- Billing
- Communication
- Class scheduling
- Resource management
- Reporting and analytics
This type of software also gives you an in-depth look at member information, such as contact details, attendance, and workout histories. These data points lead to meaningful interactions with members and help you provide more personalized services.
Check-in software also serves a critical purpose for fitness centers. Members can check-in independently using a kiosk or app, so you can stay open at any time without constant staffing. You can also look more closely at attendance patterns and make informed decisions about operating hours and staffing.
Connected hardware #
Many fitness centers add separate hardware to their gym management systems to increase security and efficiency. An access control system allows you to keep your doors locked, protecting your equipment, employees, and members from unauthorized access and potential crimes. It helps prevent theft and property damage while also making it possible to automate tiered membership systems.
Access control for fitness businesses is also ideal for members. Once you provide them with the proper credentials, they can access the building during all your operational hours without having to wait for an employee to unlock the door. Within your facility, you can separate employee-only areas and create special spaces for VIP members. Putting a stop to tailgating will also ensure you’re getting fair payment from everyone who uses your facility.
Surveillance cameras are another common addition for gyms and fitness centers. You can use them to monitor activity in public areas of your gym and ensure they’re free of hazards. You can also follow up on security incidents, reviewing footage to gather evidence for the police or your insurance company.
Keep your fitness space secure and operational 24/7
Enhance security, reduce operational costs, and discover new revenue streams with cloud-based access control.
AI-based solutions #
Many fitness technologies have begun using AI to enable automation and efficiency. You can apply these tools to many areas of your gym, ranging from scheduling to training and feedback to maintenance. Gym management software providers are increasingly incorporating AI into their products, making it easier for companies to automate communications, marketing, and customer service.
You can also use AI to offer tailored workout plans and nutrition plans. These tools analyze member data, identify patterns, and recommend strategies for improvement. Members who don’t want to sign up for traditional classes can also get virtual training powered by AI.
The role of AI in fitness #
AI is making waves in virtually every industry, particularly in areas where data collection and analysis is essential. These are some of the most significant ways AI and fitness tech work together:
- Performance analysis and adaptation: With AI, you can offer real-time feedback on member workouts, predict their future performance, and suggest workout plans. Some AI tools also adapt the difficulty of a training program based on the member’s needs and past performance.
- Member support: Many gyms use chatbots to respond to member concerns and questions. This allows your customers to get answers quickly and at any time of day or night.
- Marketing campaigns: When used with CRM or gym management software, AI can help you generate and nurture leads. AI tools are capable of sending emails and text messages, scoring prospects, and generating marketing content.
- Predictive maintenance: Sensors and AI tools can monitor the status of your gym equipment and flag potential problems before they get worse. This extends your equipment lifespan, saves money, and minimizes the risk of breakdowns or injuries.
- Scheduling: AI can quickly examine all the available scheduling options for your business and determine which are the best fit. This holds true for both employees and members selecting classes or training sessions.
The ability to automate tedious jobs and customize your services in these ways is a powerful incentive for retaining and recruiting members for your business.
New fitness technology trends #
Although fitness technology has come a long way, it continues to make enormous strides. Moving forward, you can expect to see more connected systems tying together wearable devices with fitness equipment, social platforms, management software, and access control. Integrations with these types of tech, AI, and virtual reality (VR) will also continue, expanding options for members and creating new opportunities for gyms and fitness centers.
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Biometric data will also make an impact in the next few years. Gyms can use scanning devices and wearable technology to evaluate member details, including:
- Heart rate variability
- Sleep patterns
- Blood oxygen levels
- Stress levels
- Muscle fatigue, strength, and function
Access to this information allows for greater optimization of the member experience. Trainers and gym operators can give members more insightful feedback on their growth and recommend target areas or exercises.
Finally, gamification is likely to become more prevalent across all fitness and wellness experiences. Many companies are already incorporating video game elements into their offerings to make workouts more engaging and rewarding. Members can receive points, badges, and spots on leaderboards as a source of motivation. They can also compete with others and participate in challenges.
Leading fitness tech companies #
The interactive fitness tech market reached a global market value of $6.22 billion in 2025, and it’s expected to more than double over the next decade. This explosive growth is driven by both established and up and coming fitness tech providers.
Kisi #
As an access control company, Kisi offers excellent door entry systems for gyms. With KisiFit, you can reap the benefits of 24/7 access and offer services to members with various schedules and preferences, all without adding continuous staff coverage. KisiFit also includes mobile access and automated member permissions for maximum convenience and efficiency. You can integrate with your fitness management software to offer premium tiers to members and attract greater interest to your business, while also preventing financial losses from activities like tailgating.
Glofox #
Glofox offers gym management software with a calendar and booking system. It’s fully customizable, allowing you to create a branded member app unique to your business. You can also manage classes, accept payments, and capture and nurture leads through the Glofox dashboard. The software is fully compatible with Kisi, allowing you to integrate your gym management with access control.
Evolt 360 #
Evolt 360 takes body composition scanning to a different level. Gyms can use this technology to gain detailed insights into members’ health and fitness. The system can evaluate 40 different measurements, including body fat percentage and muscle mass. It also allows members to track their progress, receive personalized recommendations, and participate in challenges. The Evolt scanner connects to a digital dashboard, which you can use to analyze your brand performance as well as individual member information.
Gymflow #
Another popular gym management software is Gymflow. Its features include sales and marketing tools to manage leads, offer discounts, and reconnect with past members. It also has class scheduling and membership management capabilities. If you have or plan to develop a branded website, you can integrate Gymflow directly with your site, along with other connected hardware, such as a Kisi access control system.
Whoop #
Whoop is an advanced fitness tracker with personalized coaching. It offers information about each member’s sleep, recovery periods, strain, and performance. Gyms can create teams, which members join to participate in competitions and challenges. The workout recommendations and performance analysis Whoop provides help you give more data-driven guidance to members who want to improve their workout plans.
Exercise.com #
Exercise.com is a highly respected gym management software provider bringing together check-ins, booking, member management, and employee management. It includes reporting and automation capabilities, all of which you can control through a single dashboard. Integrating Exercise.com with Kisi access control and other systems gives you a comprehensive view of member activity and attendance.
Gymdesk #
Gymdesk is an easy-to-use yet all-in-one gym management solution you can connect with video surveillance and access control systems. You can use it for billing, enrollment, member management, and marketing. It has extensive payment integrations, so you can offer people a wide range of options when purchasing their memberships. The online member portal and app also make it easy for members and employees to access the information they need when they need it.
Make fitness tech work for you with Kisi #
Fitness technologies are redefining what it means to go to the gym, inspiring businesses to create exciting new experiences and driving members to push themselves and achieve their goals. AI-led workouts, access control, and wearable devices are just the beginning of what the gym of the future might look like.
Want to take your gym to the next level with fitness technology? Reach out to Kisi to explore a modern, integrated fitness tech system that enables automated 24/7 access and detects tailgating. Take advantage of our free demo to see our solution for fitness centers and gyms in action.
Bernhard Mehl
