Zing Coach has created a new generation of fitness products and personal fitness companions. And it connects to your smartphone, wearables, personal messenger, and smart TV while reviewing the data and translates it into movement actions. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Zing Coach co-founder Tanya Parfenyuk to learn more about the company.
Tanya Parfenyuk’s Background
What is Tanya Parfenyuk’s background? Parfenyuk said:
“My journey combines scientific expertise with a love for fitness, driving our mission to innovate and inspire healthier lifestyles.”
“To give you a bit of background, I took my lifelong love of creating to university, where I earned my Bachelor in Science. I have always been involved in business projects from my time at university. Over the past decade, I’ve specialized in scaling and launching health and fitness products, accumulating a deep understanding of the industry.”
Formation Of Zing Coach
How did the idea for the company come together? Parfenyuk shared:
“With my deep experience in the fitness market, I’ve observed that despite a plethora of offerings, engagement rates remain low and the problem of inactivity persists. This clearly indicates that current solutions aren’t effectively addressing people’s needs. Recognizing this gap, I envisioned a platform that not only motivates users but also provides a personalized and engaging fitness journey.”
“Three ago, I met Walter – a Shaolin Temple monk with 30+ years of experience in coaching and training people. In 2022, Aleksei Kurov joined the company after an M&A deal with Zenia, the company he was CEO of.”
“Our goal is to create a solution that truly resonates with individuals, encouraging long-term healthy habits and making fitness a sustainable part of their lives. Our mission in Zing is to empower every person to improve their health and wellness through physical and mental transformations.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Parfenyuk reflected:
“The day we received our first testimonials from users who experienced transformative changes thanks to Zing Coach app. Hearing their stories of improved health, increased confidence, and newfound motivation was incredibly rewarding. It validated our mission and reminded me why we started this journey—to make a real, positive impact on people’s lives.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Parfenyuk explained:
“Zing is a personal training experience app. The core features reflect the core functions of the great personal trainer:
— Individual Hyper Personalized Workouts – AI Generator and full adaptation to a multitude of variables, from the individual’s fitness to daily life
— Assessment – ZingLab, a suite of advanced CV fitness tests, movement analyzers, body composition scanners, creating the most accurate Fitness assessment anytime in real time
— Motivation – AI Coach, which monitors the person’s activity and proactively gives insights, motivation, support, guidance, care, with different tones of voice based on the personality of the user and his/her emotional profile, to help them as effectively and empathically as possible. AI Assistant powered by LLMs, CV, and advanced progress tracking tech, going beyond a Personal Trainer’s capabilities to a new level of tailored fitness.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges has Parfenyuk and the team faced in building the company? Parfenyuk acknowledged:
“The fitness sector is ever-evolving, and one of the significant challenges we’ve faced recently is the increasing competition and saturation of the market. To overcome this, we focused on differentiating our app by enhancing user engagement through personalized experiences and leveraging data-driven insights. We also prioritized building a strong community within our app, fostering a sense of connection and support among users. This approach not only set us apart from competitors but also helped us maintain high retention and satisfaction rates, proving that our unique strategy resonates with our audience.”
Evolution Of Zing Coach’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since its launch? Parfenyuk noted:
“From day one, we believed that the perfect blend of tech innovations, such as generative AI, and significant investments in deep tech would propel Zing to become a leading fitness tech company with the highest engagement rates on the market. Our AI Recommender has evolved to be scalable, fast-learning, and highly individualized, ensuring that each user receives a personalized fitness journey. Additionally, our AI Assistant, powered by large language models (LLMs), has been instrumental in enhancing user retention and engagement by providing tailored support and motivation. These advancements have allowed us to create a truly unique and effective fitness experience.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Parfenyuk cited:
“One of the earliest was the successful roll out of our AI Assistant system, which provided personalized fitness plans and motivational insights, significantly boosting user retention and engagement.”
“Reaching 2+ million active users was a major highlight, validating our approach and impact.”
“Additionally, securing a substantial round of Series A ($10 million) funding allowed us to further invest in deep tech and innovation, solidifying our position as a leader in the fitness tech industry.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking Parfenyuk about customer success stories, she highlighted:
“We receive hundreds of inspiring success stories every week from our users, and it’s incredibly motivating for our team. One standout story is from Sarah, a busy working mother who struggled to find time for fitness. Traditional content plans and YouTube channels didn’t work for her because she needed a very flexible workout schedule. With the help of Zing’s AI Recommender, she created a personalized fitness plan that fit her hectic lifestyle. The AI Assistant kept her motivated with timely reminders and encouragement. Over six months, Sarah not only lost 20 pounds but also reported feeling more energetic and confident.”
“As a busy mom of two little kids myself, I understand the challenges Sarah faced. Stories like Sarah’s highlight the profound impact our technology has on people’s lives, helping them achieve their fitness goals and enhance their overall well-being.”
Metrics
When asking Parfenyuk about the company’s metrics, she revealed:
— 2M+ users
— 300k active subscribers
— 90 people in the company (remote)
— 3 co-founders
Total Addressable Market
When asking Parfenyuk about the total addressable market (TAM) size the company is pursuing, she assessed it was over $100 billion globally.
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Parfenyuk affirmed:
“Unique integration of cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of user needs.”
“Our AI Recommender system is not only scalable and fast-learning but also highly individualized, offering personalized fitness plans that adapt to each user’s progress and preferences. Additionally, our AI Assistant, powered by large language models, provides continuous support and motivation, significantly enhancing user retention and engagement. By combining these advanced technologies with our commitment to creating a supportive and engaging community, we deliver a fitness experience that is both effective and enjoyable, ensuring our users stay motivated and achieve their goals.”
“We also see a strong interest in our app driven by the compelling features highlighted in our ads, such as ‘AI Fitness Plan’ and ‘AI Body Scan.’ These innovative elements attract users who are intrigued by the promises of advanced AI solutions tailored to their fitness needs.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Parfenyuk concluded:
“We have several exciting goals for the future that will enhance our users’ experience and expand our offerings. Firstly, we aim to further improve our AI Assistant platform, placing a stronger emphasis on the motivational aspects of training to keep users engaged and inspired. We’re also planning to diversify our content by adding a wider range of fitness activities, such as yoga, stretching, calisthenics, and specialized plans like those adapted for women’s cycles and postnatal fitness.”
“Additionally, we’re working on releasing new computer vision-based fitness tests, such as Strength Tests and Cardio Tests, to help users better track their progress. Another significant goal is to support 10 languages within our app, making it more accessible to users around the world. These initiatives reflect our commitment to innovation and our mission to provide a comprehensive, personalized, and motivating fitness experience.”
