An innovative fitness program utilizing artificial intelligence is helping individuals aged 40 and older maintain strength and health as they age. The Exercise Coach, which operates local studios, features adaptive exercise technology designed to optimize workouts for older adults.
At the heart of this program are AI-enabled machines called Exerbotics. These machines automatically adjust resistance in real time based on user performance, ensuring customized strength training. Stan Czyzyk, co-owner of Exercise Coach locations in Marlton and Medford, New Jersey, stated that the company aims to improve health and activity levels for seniors. “We focus on transforming how people age. That’s the number of years that they can stay active and vibrant,” Czyzyk explained.
Artificial intelligence plays a vital role in the training approach, enhancing both safety and effectiveness. As users exercise, the machines provide feedback and tailor resistance according to their capabilities. By observing the data displayed on the screen, users can gauge their performance and adjust their efforts as needed.
The equipment is specifically designed to maintain muscle tension while reducing the risk of injury from improper movements. Czyzyk noted that this method allows muscles to be effectively worked without straining connective tissue. Participants can monitor their progress through visual cues on the machine, which tracks their movements and adjusts resistance to match their performance. “What we’re aiming for is that the last one that [a user] can do is the last that [they] can do well with proper form,” Czyzyk added.
This AI technology not only assists with strength training but also includes balance and cognitive exercises aimed at improving stability, reaction time, and preventing falls. One exercise involves users stepping onto a balance trainer and interacting with moving targets to enhance coordination. Czyzyk emphasized that integrating technology with coaching maximizes results, stating, “So we try to take the best of the AI technology and the best of the motivation and form instruction from the coach and put them together.”
Clients typically engage in two personalized 20-minute workout sessions per week. Czyzyk remarked that participants often experience faster results compared to traditional weight training or using non-AI-enabled machines. In total, about eight Exercise Coach locations are operational in the area, including additional sites in Newtown Square and Wayne, New Jersey.
