Social Fitness App
Client: Planet Traveler Hostel
Team Size: Solo Designer
Timeline: 4 Months
My Role: UX/UI Designer, User Researcher
I developed FiTBUD, which is an app that connects gym-goers from all walks of life together.
Tools: Figma, Adobe Illustrator
Defining the Problem
WHAT do they need?
WHO are we designing for?
WHERE does this problem exist?
WHY do they need this product?
Persona Map
USER: A millennial/Gen Z new/advanced gym goer, who lives a busy lifestyle and is a introverted in social settings.
PRIMARY NEEDS: find a sense of community and be held accountable with their fitness goals.
SECONDARY NEEDS: start/change their workout routine, discover new exercises, receive feedback on current fitness routine to adjust goals accordingly.
FiTBUD strives to connect gym goers with one another to form community.
FiTBUD creates a safe space for people to meet and workout together in real life.
FiTBUD can be used individually to hold oneself accountable with their fitness goals, creating and maintaining a fitness routine.
FiTBUD tracking progress and providing suggestions and feedback on how to further improve.
Concept: Social Fitness App
Key Features of FiTBUD
TRACK PROGRESS
RECEIVE
FEEDBACK
MEET FiTBUDDIES
DISCOVER NEW EXERCISES
CREATE ROUTINES
Key Technology
A social app for finding FitBuddies based on shared workout preferences. Users can customize, track, and share their workouts, receiving feedback from others.
An AR simulator to demonstrate exercise movements when a FitBuddy is unavailable or if the user opts out of the FitBuddy feature.
Success Criteria
MUST defines the minimal viable product that FITBUD must achieve in order for this product to be considered a success.
SHOULD defines the features would bring FITBUD to the next level and improve the entire gym-going experience
COULD defines the features would be nice to have but are not absolutely necessary.
User Journey Mapping
The following hypothetical user scenario and objectives will serve as a foundation for understanding the target user's journey based on the user persona and success criteria. This journey map will guide the identification and design of all essential screens for a seamless, targeted FiTBUD experience.
Scenario:
Harvey is an intermediate gym-goer with 2 years of experience.
Recently busy with professional goals, leading to skipped workouts.
Bored with current routine and lacking motivation.
Introverted and hesitant about visiting new gyms or meeting new people.
Enjoys interacting with others at the gym but struggles to form lasting connections.
Objectives:
Create a flexible, exciting routine that aligns with his fitness goals.
Find a gym buddy to stay accountable.
Build a sense of community for motivation and support.
Maximize his gym membership by exploring different gyms and meeting like-minded people.
Step 1: Decides to go to the gym
Step 2: Prepare for workout
Action
Gets dress for the gym
Drives to the gym
Action:
He taps the Day 2 Leg Day notification, scheduled 30 minutes before his workout.
Touchpoint
Car
Feeling
Unmotivated
“I’m feeling unmotivated to go to the gym but I have to stay on track with my goals”
Feeling
Bored
“My routine is so boring. I think it’s time to switch it up”
Touchpoint
Phone
FiTBUD app
Step 3: Find a FiTBUD
Action
He searches for a FitBuddy within 50 km, specifying today's muscle group (Legs) and preferred experience level (Intermediate).
The app finds a nearby match and he confirms the workout.
Feeling
Happy
Touchpoint
Phone
FiTBUD app
Step 4: Start workout with FitBuddy
Step 5: Finish workout and rate FitBuddy experience
Action
They start with Bulgarian split squats, taking turns.
Harvey asks for tips, and his FitBuddy guides and supports him.
Action
He completes his workout
Goes to his car and rates his FiTBUDDY experience
Feeling
Excited
“ I’ve never tried this exercise before, it should be a good change of pace”
Feeling
Excited
“That was a great FitBuddy experience, I hope I can meet more people through FiTBUD!”
Touchpoint
Phone
FiTBUD app
Touchpoint
Phone
Rate FiTBUDDY Screen
The user journey map helps understand the use case of the FiTBUD app and will inform our mid-fi wireframes to demonstrate the user experience within a real world context.
Lo-fi Sketches + Wireframes
I made some low-fidelity wireframes based on my user journey map steps. These wireframes will help inform my final hi-fidelity screens.
Login/Sign Up Screen
Welcome/Profile
Current Workout
Friends
Current Workout Routine
Search Function
Search Filters
Exercise details
Search for FiTBUDDY
Found FiTBUDDY
FiTBUDDY Messages
FiTBUDDY Chat
AR Machine Demo
Rate FiTBUDDY
Hi-Fi Wireframes
SEARCH FOR FiTBUDDY
FOUND FiTBUDDY
FiTBUDDY MESSAGES
FiTBUDDY CHAT
AR MACHINE DEMO
RATE YOUR FiTBUDDY
LOGIN/SIGN UP
WELCOME/PROFILE
CURRENT WORKOUT
FRIENDS
CURRENT WORKOUT ROUTINE
SEARCH FUNCTION FOR NEW EXERCISES
FILTER FOR NEW EXERCISES
EXERCISE DETAILS
FITBUD adds to the fitness community, connecting gym goers of different fitness levels and personalities together to:
Improve the quality of their workouts with constructive feedback from FiTBUDDIES of different skill levels
Increases their motivation to go to the gym and stay consistent which is key to progress and engagement
Hold themselves accountable with their own fitness journeys and reduces the isolating gym experience with a FiTBUDDY
Explore a comprehensive exercise database and an innovative AR simulator that demonstrates proper use of gym equipment. This feature helps prevent injuries and eliminates the intimidation of trying unfamiliar machines.
Impact
Next Steps
KEY TAKEAWAYS
I learned how to conceptualize a digital experience with the main goal of bringing two different people together, by researching user needs, goals and frustrations.
I learned how to use a success criteria to define the MVP of my experience, ensuring that my final product contains all the necessary components to be successful from both user and business perspectives
FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS:
I plan to integrate the FiTBUD AR experience into TikTok Effects House to boost brand awareness and conduct user testing with the AR Exercise Simulator. This will help engage a broader audience, drive virality through user-generated content, and gather insights to refine the AR features.
Introduce local fitness challenges where users can join teams or compete individually, track progress, and celebrate achievements with FiTBUD community members.
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