Seniors Are Skipping AI. This Gym Has a Human Fix
While younger generations turn to AI for fitness and wellness, Boomers want a real coach. Darwin Fitness in Florida is delivering
Darwin Fitness, based in Maitland, Florida, has launched “From Couch to Confidence,” a functional fitness program designed to enhance mobility and reduce fall risk among older adults.
It’s a rare offering in an industry that typically skews young and performance-driven, instead targeting a growing but often overlooked segment: older adults. The program also targets a cohort that recent data shows is hesitant to embrace AI-powered fitness solutions and may prefer one-on-one, human-led coaching instead. According to a recent report from ABC Fitness, only 6% of Boomers say they’re “very familiar” with AI fitness tools, and just 12% strongly believe AI can support their health goals – figures that lag significantly behind younger generations.
The initiative addresses common challenges faced by seniors, such as climbing stairs or carrying groceries, through exercises drawn from geriatric exercise science. Routines include balance drills like single-leg stands, tandem walking and heel-to-toe steps, progressing from supported to unsupported movements. Coordination is trained through obstacle navigation, ball tossing and hand-eye drills, while core stability is built through seated marches, pelvic tilts and modified planks.
The gym employs certified geriatric trainers who provide one-on-one coaching in a private, senior-focused setting. Each participant undergoes an initial assessment to determine baseline fitness and define personalized goals. Programming includes resistance work to support muscle mass and bone density, balance drills performed on unstable surfaces to lower fall risk, and low-impact cardio, such as walking or cycling, to improve heart health and stamina.
“Our ‘From Couch to Confidence’ program is more than just exercise; it’s about giving seniors back their independence and reducing the anxiety that comes with fall risk,” Darwin Fitness owner Jean-Sebastien Fabre said. “We blend evidence-based training with compassionate, personalized coaching to help each individual move, live and thrive with greater freedom and confidence.”