UAE's gym of the future: AI to guide on fitness, nutrition via a digital twin

Ever wondered how gyms will look like in the future? If you think gyms will be exempt from the AI takeover, think again. The Department of Health, Abu Dhabi has introduced a new initiative called the ‘Gym of the Future’, reimagining how personalized health and fitness could evolve. This concept was unveiled on the first day of Abu Dhabi Global Health Week on Tuesday.

“How do we enable people to live longer, healthier lives? How do we ensure that people, once they reach even an older age, they're still able to do more? That's the concept of the ‘Gym of the Future,’” Ibrahim Al Jallaf, executive director of digital health at the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi told Khaleej Times.

The experience begins the moment someone enters the gym. Advanced sensors recognize the individual and generate a digital twin using data from , Abu Dhabi’s health and wellness management platform.

Treadmills in the future gym. Photo: Supplied

This digital profile allows the system to create a tailored exercise plan based on each person’s needs and health data. Once the plan is ready, users start their workout. For instance, a treadmill in this future gym comes equipped with a fixed camera to monitor BPM (beats per minute), recommends the activity's duration, and even postures alignment and offers real-time feedback. All data is stored in the ‘Sahatna’ app to keep tracking logs.

After the workout, users undergo an evaluation to check for muscle or tendon strain using AI-assisted X-rays and CT scans. By simply standing in front of a scanner, individuals can view real-time imaging of specific body parts, like calves or hands, with instant analysis to detect potential issues.

AI assistant at gym of the future. Photo: Hind Aldah

Nutrition is next. An AI nutritionist provides personalised meal recommendations based on previous data and current energy needs. This feature aims to optimize recovery and performance, one meal at a time. Finally, the journey ends with a second evaluation, an updated overview that incorporates the latest data from that day’s session, completing the personalized loop.

Al Jallaf added, “Longevity is a priority across the board. And when we say gym of the future, we don't necessarily mean physical gym of the future. It's a concept of how to drive more healthy activity. How do we even improve nutrition across the board? All of these are key anchors for longevity and healthy average life expectancy.”

AI-assisted body scans. Photo: Hind Aldah