Disclosed herein are techniques and systems for recognizing a user via a networked fitness system and initiating a customized exercise routine for the recognized user. The process includes receiving, at the networked fitness system, identification data associated with the user, and transmitting the identification data over a network to one or more remotely located servers. The networked fitness system may receive a user identification (ID) from the remotely located server(s) at least partly in response to the transmitted identification data, and receive a confirmation from the user that the user ID corresponds to the user. At least partly in response to the confirmation, the networked fitness system may automatically download a customized exercise routine associated with the user from the remotely located server(s) and initiate the customized exercise routine by the networked fitness system.