Fitcadamy

OVERVIEW
As a certified personal trainer, I noticed a hole in the workout app industry. Many gym users default to using workout machines instead of free weights and dumbbells due to the intimidation of learning how to use new equipment in a public space. Many people also can’t afford to hire their own personal trainer. 
ROLE
Lead UX Design
FOCUS
Provide gym users with an effective way to learn how to use advanced equipment and exercise with proper form so they can achieve their fitness goals without feeling judged at the gym.

Fitcadamy

OVERVIEW
As a certified personal trainer, I noticed a hole in the workout app industry. Many gym users default to using workout machines instead of free weights and dumbbells due to the intimidation of learning how to use new equipment in a public space. Many people also can’t afford to hire their own personal trainer. 
ROLE
Lead UX Design
FOCUS
Provide gym users with an effective way to learn how to use advanced equipment and exercise with proper form so they can achieve their fitness goals without feeling judged at the gym.

Researched Based Persona

The app will be marketed to men and women between the ages of 18-54 years old.

This is based on a study showing that 60.6% of gym members fall into the two largest age groups – 18-34 years of age (30.9% of members) and 35-54 years of age (30.7%) [IHRSA – 2020].

The primary goal of the app is to teach users how to use dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, etc, With an emphasis on proper form. This is so users can feel comfortable at the gym using advanced equipment.

The app will be inexpensive so that those with lower incomes and  education levels will be able to access the app. The goal is to use the app for education on proper form. 

Those making less than $25,000 were the fastest growing membership by income bracket, growing 39.95% since 2010 [PAC – 2019].

The fastest-growing gym member demographic by education level are those with an 8th grade level of education or lower – increasing by 132% from 2.66 million members in 2010 to 6.18 million in 2019 [IHRSA – 2020].

The following persona is based on the research listed above. This was created so I could design & view the app through the eyes of the intended user. 

Researched Based Persona

The app will be marketed to men and women between the ages of 18-54 years old.

This is based on a study showing that 60.6% of gym members fall into the two largest age groups – 18-34 years of age (30.9% of members) and 35-54 years of age (30.7%) [IHRSA – 2020].

The primary goal of the app is to teach users how to use dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, etc, With an emphasis on proper form. This is so users can feel comfortable at the gym using advanced equipment.

The app will be inexpensive so that those with lower incomes and  education levels will be able to access the app. The goal is to use the app for education on proper form. 

Those making less than $25,000 were the fastest growing membership by income bracket, growing 39.95% since 2010 [PAC – 2019].

The fastest-growing gym member demographic by education level are those with an 8th grade level of education or lower – increasing by 132% from 2.66 million members in 2010 to 6.18 million in 2019 [IHRSA – 2020].

The following persona is based on the research listed above. This was created so I could design & view the app through the eyes of the intended user. 

Login & Sign-Up

The user needs to login or create an account to use the app. The app tracks the progress of the user which is why this function is necessary. 

Login & Sign-Up

The user needs to login or create an account to use the app. The app tracks the progress of the user which is why this function is necessary. 

Homescreen Functions

My Programs

  • Shows what programs the user is in
  • The user can be in several programs at once
  • The user can view what percentage of the course they have finished.

My Video Libary

  • Users have the ability to save & rewatch the videos they took when checking their form. 
  • This feature is important for providing the user a reference for how their form looks – whether they passed the form check or not. This helps them see what they’re doing right and see where they need to improve.

Homescreen Functions

My Programs

  • Shows what programs the user is in
  • The user can be in several programs at once
  • The user can view what percentage of the course they have finished.

My Video Libary

  • Users have the ability to save & rewatch the videos they took when checking their form. 
  • This feature is important for providing the user a reference for how their form looks – whether they passed the form check or not. This helps them see what they’re doing right and see where they need to improve.

Courses Function

  • Courses are categorized by features, levels, and equipment.
  • Level categories are separated by drop down accordions to make finding a program easy. 
  • A search bar is included at the top of the page.

Courses Function

  • Courses are categorized by features, levels, and equipment.
  • Level categories are separated by drop down accordions to make finding a program easy. 
  • A search bar is included at the top of the page.

Course Preview Functions

  • Users can see a course’s difficulty level, required equipment, number of exercises, and workout type.
  • The user sees a short description of the course. 
  • Similar courses are listed down below. 

Course Preview Functions

  • Users can see a course’s difficulty level, required equipment, number of exercises, and workout type.
  • The user sees a short description of the course. 
  • Similar courses are listed down below. 

Course Functions

  • Once a course is started the user can preview all the movements they’ll be learning. 
  • Each exercises is categorized by muscle group.
  • The user can choose to work on any exercises in the course they choose – there is no need to go in order. 
  • Once the user passes a form check, the transparent circle next to the exercises fills in with a green checkmark.

Course Functions

  • Once a course is started the user can preview all the movements they’ll be learning. 
  • Each exercises is categorized by muscle group.
  • The user can choose to work on any exercises in the course they choose – there is no need to go in order. 
  • Once the user passes a form check, the transparent circle next to the exercises fills in with a green checkmark.

Form Check

This app provides a way for the user to check their form. I created a video function where the user can film themselves from the front and side angle so the app can evaluate the movement and ensure their form is correct. 

Before every form check, the user is given instruction on camera setup and positioning. 

The app comes with a leveler that the user must use before the app starts recording.

The user has 15 seconds before the app starts recording. 

The user must repeat the same movement 5 times for the app to analyze the movement.

Form Check

This app provides a way for the user to check their form. I created a video function where the user can film themselves from the front and side angle so the app can evaluate the movement and ensure their form is correct. 

Before every form check, the user is given instruction on camera setup and positioning. 

The app comes with a leveler that the user must use before the app starts recording.

The user has 15 seconds before the app starts recording. 

The user must repeat the same movement 5 times for the app to analyze the movement.

Form Check Functions

  • After the scan is complete, the user is taken directly to a passed or failed page
  • Both pages have options to save the form scan videos to a video library, take notes on the form, and include the instructions for the movement. 
  • The passed page includes a button to take the user back to the main course page.
  • The failed page has two separate options. The user can retake the video to try and get their form correct or be taken to ‘view videos.’ Where the app will identify what they’re doing wrong. 
  • Each screen has a back arrow in the header so the user can easily exit the scan.

Form Check Functions

  • After the scan is complete, the user is taken directly to a passed or failed page
  • Both pages have options to save the form scan videos to a video library, take notes on the form, and include the instructions for the movement. 
  • The passed page includes a button to take the user back to the main course page.
  • The failed page has two separate options. The user can retake the video to try and get their form correct or be taken to ‘view videos.’ Where the app will identify what they’re doing wrong. 
  • Each screen has a back arrow in the header so the user can easily exit the scan.

End Results

During the design process, I faced the challenge of designing for the users’ needs instead of my own. I reshaped the app from a standard fitness app to something more educational based on observation, research, interviews, and analysis of potential competitors. 

It was exciting to start a project from scratch. In the end, I feel confident in my design decisions and am able to defend my choices as they are based in research and UX/UI best practices.

End Results

During the design process, I faced the challenge of designing for the users’ needs instead of my own. I reshaped the app from a standard fitness app to something more educational based on observation, research, interviews, and analysis of potential competitors. 

It was exciting to start a project from scratch. In the end, I feel confident in my design decisions and am able to defend my choices as they are based in research and UX/UI best practices.