Overview
Exercise modifications let your subscribers select an alternative to most exercises in their workout, without messaging you to ask. Most exercises in your workouts have a Swap option. From there, you control how it works:
AI-generated swaps run automatically, pulling alternatives from your own content. Zero setup required.
Creator-approved swaps let you hand-pick the exact alternative you'd give a client in person. When you set one, it replaces the AI suggestion for that exercise.
Toggles let you turn swaps off wherever they don't make sense, down to a single exercise.
Custom exercises let subscribers add their own alternative if none of the above fit, so they can always log their workout.
How AI-Generated Swaps Work
Every exercise in your workouts has a Swap option. When a subscriber taps it, they get up to three alternatives pulled automatically from your own published content, sized to fit the role that exercise plays in that workout (a warm-up stays warmup-sized, a main lift stays main-sized).
This runs on criteria we've set. You won't see AI swaps offered for things like stretching, mobility, or cardio, where sticking with the original exercise is usually the better call.
This is new functionality and we're going to keep tuning it. If something feels off, tell us, we want your feedback either way.
How to Set Up Creator-Approved Swaps
Creator-approved swaps are your chance to program the exact alternative you'd give a client in person: home versus gym versions, different difficulty levels, whatever fits your programming. You set these up right next to where you program the exercise itself.
Creator Dashboard (Web)
To add a creator-approved swap on your Creator Dashboard:
Open the Program in your Subscription or One-Time Purchases section and make sure the 'Exercise modification' toggle is enabled at the Program level.
Tap on your Workouts tab and select the exercise you want to add an alternative for. Make sure the 'Exercise modification' toggle is also enabled at the Workout level.
Tap on the search bar to search your exercise library and choose your alternative(s).
Add up to 5 approved alternatives per exercise by tapping the + button on the exercise alternative shown upon searching.
Publish the workout.
You can edit the Exercise Swap details by tapping on the pencil icon next to each alternative. Select the numbers of sets, reps and rest each Exercise swap should include.
Once you've set a creator-approved swap for an exercise, your subscribers see only your picks for that slot, marked with a "Approved by Creator" badge. AI never overrides a creator-approved slot.
In case you choose to leave the 'Exercise modification' section blank but still toggled on, AI will then select and suggest alternatives from your library instead.
Creator Mobile App
To add a creator-approved swap on your Creator App:
When creating a New Workout, make sure to toggle on the 'Exercise modifications' option at the Workout level.
Tap on 'Exercise' to create a new exercise and enter the sets and reps under the About section.
Select the 'Modifications' tab on the upper right corner and enable the 'Modifications for this exercise' toggle.
Search for the alternative exercise from your Library that you would like to add as a modification.
Tap on the + icon next to the exercise to add to your list of modifications for this workout.
Your exercise is now added to the list of exercise modifications. You can tap on the pencil icon to edit the details of any exercise.
Enter the reps and sets for each of your exercise modifications and select a tag to let your users know why you picked this variation.
You will now see the relevant exercise assigned with the tag you selected under the 'Exercise settings' menu.
Turning Swaps On and Off
AI swaps are on by default, so you're not stuck manually turning them on everywhere. You're always in control, and you can turn AI swaps off at three levels:
Per exercise — turn off AI suggestions for one specific movement.
Per workout — turn off AI suggestions for an entire workout.
Per program — turn off AI suggestions across every workout in a program at once. This is useful for something like a postpartum program, where you may not want AI making that call at all.
Turning off AI swaps doesn't affect your own creator-approved picks. You can set a creator-approved swap on any exercise regardless of whether AI swaps are showing or hidden there.
Custom Exercises for Your Subscribers
If a subscriber doesn't want the AI suggestion or your approved swap, they can add their own exercise instead.
Previously, a subscriber in that situation couldn't log anything properly for that slot. Now they can note what they actually did and keep their log accurate.
All they have to do is tap the Swap button on their exercise player and select 'Add custom exercise' at the very bottom of their screen.
FAQs
What exercises are eligible for swaps?
Most exercises in your workouts are eligible. The exceptions: exercises inside a Tabata circuit, warm-ups, mobility work, stretching, cardio, and exercises with very specific programming, like 1RM tests or unilateral movements. Swaps also aren't available at all in recipe-style or tightly sequenced challenge programs.
How does the AI decide what to suggest?
It only pulls from your own published exercise library, never another creator's. It tries to stay true to the original movement pattern, then looks for variation, most often around equipment: switching a machine to a bar, a bar to a dumbbell, or a dumbbell to body weight. It also adjusts the reps to fit the original exercise's role in that workout.
Why aren't I seeing more options within my AI swaps?
AI swaps only pull from your own published library, so more options usually comes down to filming more alternatives for that movement pattern. If you notice a spot with few or no options, that's a good signal to add content there.
What if there's no good alternative available?
The subscriber sees no swap option for that exercise. That's expected, not an error. We'd rather show nothing than a bad match. That will be a good opportunity for your consumers to use the custom exercise feature to add their own.
What if I'm not happy with the AI results?
We're actively monitoring results and tuning the AI to give you and your subscribers better quality over time. If you spot a swap that's clearly wrong, tag us and we'll look into what caused it so we can prevent it from happening again.
How many creator-approved swaps can I set per exercise?
Up to 5.
If I set a creator-approved swap, does AI still show up as a backup?
No. A creator-approved slot shows only your picks, never blended with AI suggestions.
Will my subscribers know if a swap came from me or from AI?
Creator-approved swaps are marked with a "Creator approved" badge. AI-generated swaps say Exercise Modifications.
Can I turn off swaps for a whole program?
Yes. The program-level toggle turns off AI swaps across every workout in that program at once.
We'd Love Your Feedback
Swaps is new, and we're actively tuning it. Share what's working and what's not in your community or with your Playbook contact so we can keep improving it for you and your subscribers.