# Allen Chen

> Allen Chen is the co-founder and CEO of Fitbod, the San Francisco strength-training app that uses machine learning to design a fresh, personalized workout every time you open it. A UCLA computer science grad and former Wall Street high-frequency trading strategist, Chen swapped optimizing stock portfolios for optimizing sets and reps, building an algorithm that picks exercises the way he once picked trades. Since launching in 2015 with co-founder Jesse Venticinque, Fitbod has grown to more than 300,000 paid subscribers while staying lean and profitable.

- **Role:** Co-founder & CEO at Fitbod
- **Organizations:** Fitbod, BNP Paribas, CSA Group, LLC
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.S. Computer Science, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Graduate studies, Mathematics of Finance (did not complete), Columbia University
- **Known for:** Co-founded and leads Fitbod, an AI-driven strength-training app with 300,000+ paid subscribers., Designed Fitbod's recommendation algorithm that personalizes workouts based on training history, available equipment, and muscle recovery., Built the company to profitability with a lean team and an organic, sustainable growth model.

## Career timeline

- **2008** — Joined CSA Group, LLC as a software engineer, building a high-frequency commodities trading platform.
- **2009** — Became Vice President / high-frequency trading strategist at BNP Paribas.
- **2012** — Began graduate study in Mathematics of Finance at Columbia University.
- **2015** — Co-founded Fitbod with Jesse Venticinque and launched the app late that year.
- **2022** — Appeared on the Fitt Insider podcast (Episode 165) discussing Fitbod's growth to 300K+ subscribers.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and leads Fitbod, an AI-driven strength-training app with 300,000+ paid subscribers.
- Designed Fitbod's recommendation algorithm that personalizes workouts based on training history, available equipment, and muscle recovery.
- Built the company to profitability with a lean team and an organic, sustainable growth model.
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer.
- Captained the UCLA rugby team.

## Latest updates

- **2022-12** — Discussed Fitbod's 300K+ subscriber base, retention strategy, and sustainable growth philosophy on the Fitt Insider podcast.
- **2023-03** — Fitbod's most recent disclosed funding activity around this period (Series B stage).

## Links

- Website: https://fitbod.me
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-chen-17a7748
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/fitbodApp
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldQb8gePYP4
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitbodapp

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/allen-chen
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-14