Gyms get the same questions on Instagram every day: what's the fee, what are the timings, is there a trial, where are you? Each one is a person who is ready to visit - and most go cold before anyone replies. An AI Instagram DM bot answers in seconds, books the trial, and collects a phone number for your front desk. Here's how to set it up on Meta's official API, with scripts you can copy.
What an AI DM bot for a gym actually does
Two pieces work together:
- Comment-to-DM. You post a Reel - a transformation, a class, a tour - and ask people to comment TRIAL. Everyone who does gets a DM with a free trial pass and a booking button.
- An AI agent in the DMs. When they reply with a question ("ladies batch hai?", "monthly fee?", "parking?"), the AI answers from the details you gave it: timings, fees, batches, location, trainers. When someone asks for a person or something it doesn't know, it hands the chat to you.
The AI only uses the information you write into its business profile and strips any link you haven't approved, so it won't invent a discount. It also starts in a review-first dry-run mode, so you can check its drafts before it talks to members.
The setup, step by step
- Write the gym's profile. Fees for each plan, timings, batches, location with a maps link, trainers, what the trial includes, and what the AI must never promise (medical advice, results guarantees).
- Create the comment automation. Keywords: TRIAL, PRICE, FEES, JOIN - plus the Hinglish your members type ("fees kitni", "join karna"). Use Contains matching so "trial please" counts.
- Write the first DM (script below) with a button to your booking page or WhatsApp.
- Turn on contact capture so the DM asks for a phone number. Each reply is saved on the lead for your front desk to call.
- Switch on the AI agent for the automation, in dry-run first. Read a day of drafts, fix the profile, then let it reply.
- Post, and pin the Reel. A pinned Reel keeps collecting comments for weeks, and the automation answers every one.
Scripts to copy
Reel caption, first line: "Comment TRIAL and I'll DM you a free 3-day pass 💪"
First DM:
Hey {{username}}! Here's your free 3-day trial pass 🎉 Pick a slot below and show this chat at the front desk. Any questions about fees or timings - just ask here.
Button: "Book my free trial"
Contact capture question: "What's the best number for our trainer to confirm your slot?"
Public reply: "Sent! Check your DMs 📩"
Follow-up (paid plans, inside Instagram's 24-hour window): "Did you get a slot? Morning batches fill first - reply MORNING or EVENING and we'll hold one."
More fitness scripts are in Instagram DM automation for fitness coaches, and 30 more across niches in the free Comment-to-DM Playbook.
Is it allowed by Instagram?
Yes, when it runs on Meta's official Messaging API and only replies to people who commented or messaged first - which is how IGMsg works. What gets accounts in trouble is password-sharing bots, mass follows and cold DMs. Read more: is Instagram DM automation allowed?
What it costs
Comment-to-DM with a booking button and phone capture works on IGMsg's free plan (500 DMs a month). The AI agent that answers questions is on Business and on Lifetime Pro + AI; Business also gives 5 Instagram accounts and teammate logins, which suits gym chains with several branches. Current prices, in rupees for India and dollars elsewhere, are on the pricing page. For more on gyms and trainers, see IGMsg for fitness.