Safety
Safety
Last updated 3 October 2026.
What ArcForm is
ArcForm is strength and mobility coaching. It builds a training plan from what you tell it, built around anywhere that is sore, and uses your iPhone's camera to count reps, time holds and estimate how you move. Your ratings after each session pace the plan.
What ArcForm isn't
- It isn't medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment.
- It isn't a medical device.
- It isn't supervised by a doctor, a physiotherapist or any other health professional. Nobody watches your sessions or reads your answers as you give them.
- It isn't an emergency service.
ArcForm will not tell you what is behind your pain. If you want to know, get it checked by someone who can examine it.
Arc is an AI
Arc, the coach in the app, is an AI. It runs on Claude, a model made by Anthropic. Arc is not a person and not a health professional. Arc can be wrong. If something Arc says does not fit how you feel, trust how you feel.
When not to use ArcForm
- You are under 18.
- A doctor, physiotherapist or other professional has told you not to exercise. If they have told you something different from the app, follow them.
- You have one of the serious signs below and it has not been looked at.
- You have had surgery or a broken bone and have not been told this kind of exercise is fine.
If you are pregnant, have a heart, lung or other health condition, or are not sure exercise is safe for you, check with a doctor before you start.
The serious signs
In setup, ArcForm asks about six signs:
- a pop or snap
- it gives way
- big or fast swelling
- you can't put weight on it
- numbness or tingling, or it spreads down the limb
- dizziness with it.
If you say yes to any of them, Arc asks whether it has been looked at.
If it has been seen and cleared, you carry on as normal.
If it has not been seen, or you are not sure:
- A pop or snap, it gives way, swelling, or dizziness. Your plan is built with every exercise at its easiest, and you see a notice to get it checked by someone who can examine it.
- Can't put weight on it, or numbness, tingling or spreading. ArcForm does not build a plan. You see a screen telling you to get it checked, with the numbers for your country, and the plan waits. When you tap "I've been seen and told it's fine to exercise", your plan is built, still starting at its easiest. We save your answer with the date and the exact words you agreed to.
These are fixed rules. They do not depend on Arc.
Pain during and after a session
Pain is scored from 0 to 10. It paces your training.
Stop the exercise if:
- pain turns sharp, or keeps building as you go
- you feel faint, dizzy or unwell
- something gives way, pops or snaps
- you get numbness, tingling or pins and needles.
You can leave a session at any time.
What the app does with your pain score:
- Any pain on an exercise stops it getting harder.
- 5 or 6 makes it a step easier.
- 7 or 8 makes it two steps easier.
- 9 or 10 takes it to its easiest. The app checks that 9 or 10 is right. If it is, it tells you to get help and shows the numbers for your country.
Some effort and some soreness after training are normal. Sharp pain, pain that builds through a session, or pain that is worse the next day are reasons to stop, not to push on.
Who to call
In an emergency, call your emergency number. ArcForm cannot call for you. Chest pain, trouble breathing, or a sudden severe injury are emergencies.
| Country | Emergency | Health advice |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 999 | NHS 111 |
| United States | 911 | |
| Canada | 911 | 811 |
| Australia | 000 | healthdirect 1800 022 222 |
| New Zealand | 111 | Healthline 0800 611 116 |
If you are thinking about harming yourself, or you are struggling to cope, talk to someone now:
| Country | Crisis line |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Samaritans 116 123 |
| United States | 988 |
| Canada | 988 |
| Australia | Lifeline 13 11 14 |
| New Zealand | 1737 |
Camera numbers are estimates
The camera finds your joints in each frame, on your phone, and works out reps, range, tempo and timings from them. These numbers are estimates. Lighting, clothing, camera angle and distance all change them. They are a guide for your training and should not be relied on for any medical purpose.
The camera picture is never recorded and never leaves your phone. The app does not check your technique for safety and cannot spot an injury.
Your space
Train somewhere clear, with room to move and a stable place for your phone.
Questions
support@getarcform.com. We are not able to give medical advice by email.