The Genius Knows All
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.
A High-End Gym with a Digital Twist
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.
| Equipment | Description |
|---|---|
| Cardio Machines | Brand-new, still-gleaming treadmills, bikes and elliptical machines |
| Strength Machines | Use electric motors to create resistance instead of physical weights, so there’s no clanking |
Personalized Workouts with a Human Touch
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 members can track their scores, which are displayed on an app and a wall-mounted monitor to encourage a sense of community
- Trainers also wander the gym floor, answering questions and offering corrections when they notice someone’s form is off
The Science Behind the Genius
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.”
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.
- A “biological age” is assigned to each member, which is different from their chronological age in years
- The AI is adaptive, utilizing machine learning, and evolves with the member as they get fitter
The Future of Fitness
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.
| Location | Year Opened | Other Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica | Mid-February 2025 | Downtown Culver City (2026), downtown L.A., West Hollywood, Glendale (2028-2030) |
A Disappointing but Promising Start
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.
Growth and Expansion
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.
The Human Element
“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.” He also emphasizes the importance of the human element, saying, “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.” 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. A promise kept. With Genius, the future of fitness is looking brighter than ever. At Fred Fitness, technology and innovation come together to create a unique and effective workout experience. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, build strength, or tone up, Genius has got you covered. So, what are you waiting for? Come and experience the future of fitness for yourself. Join the revolution.
