FlexFit

Introduction

FlexFit—a collaborative project modeled after the design approach used in EasyGo. Our goal was to create a mobile fitness app that addresses real user needs. In Part 1, we conducted thorough research using affinity diagrams and empathy maps to define those needs. Part 2 involved refining prototypes based on remote moderated user tests, enhanced with UI kits for authenticity. Usability testing and refinement took center stage in Part 3, ensuring a seamless user experience. In the final phase (Part 4), rigorous validation confirmed FlexFit's role in promoting a healthier lifestyle. FlexFit showcases our commitment to user-centric design, research-driven innovation, and a comprehensive design process, empowering individuals on their fitness journey.

What is FlexFit?

FlexFit is a mobile fitness application designed to help users track their physical activities, set goals, and promote a healthy lifestyle. The app will provide a seamless user experience with intuitive interfaces and personalised features, empowering individuals to take charge of their fitness journey.

Project Overview

Problem

Users encounter challenges in effectively tracking progress and staying motivated without a comprehensive fitness app. Although many users rely on tools such as an Apple Watch for basic tracking,

Our Solution

An app that offers exercise demonstrations, customizable workout plans, and progress tracking features. App will be tailored to users needs allowing the to be able to set and achieve personal fitness goals.

Tools Used-






Proto-Persona & Inspiration/Motivation

Name: Lisa Sampson

Age: 32

Occupation: Office Manager

Fitness Level: Beginner

Goals: Lose weight, improve overall fitness, and increase energy levels

Challenges: Lack of motivation, limited knowledge about exercise routines, and difficulty tracking progress

FlexFit aims to address the needs of users like Lisa Sampson, who struggle with maintaining motivation and organising their fitness routines. By providing a user-friendly platform that makes it easy to set goals, track progress, and receive personalised recommendations, FlexFit aims to inspire and empower users to lead healthier lives. The app will also incorporate gamification elements and social features to foster a sense of community and friendly competition, further motivating users to stay active and achieve their fitness goals.

User Research Plan

The user research plan aims to investigate the usage patterns and challenges within the fitness industry, given the market size of £1.8bn in 2022. The primary goal of the research is to understand why individuals interested in fitness either use or refrain from using fitness apps, focusing on potential shortcomings or complexities. The research questions explore motivation and hindrances to physical activity, current tracking methods, preferences for app features, and the impact of personalized recommendations and social features. The methodology involves user interviews over a two-day period, targeting participants aged 18-45 with diverse fitness levels, technological proficiency, and backgrounds. The emphasis on gender, ethnicity, and economic diversity aims to capture varied perspectives on fitness app usage.

Hypothesis Statement-

Users who are fitness conscious may be more likely to use fitness apps if the apps provide personalized recommendations, goal-setting features, and a sense of community. 

The complexity of existing fitness apps may hinder their adoption and regular usage among newcomers to fitness.

Interview Plan & Objectives 

Understanding the target audience: By asking about the age of the interviewees, you can gain insights into the demographics of your potential users. This will help you tailor the app's design and features to suit their needs.

Assessing current fitness habits: By asking about their engagement in physical activity, frequency, and methods of staying active, you can understand their current routines and preferences. This information will be valuable in creating a customizable workout plan that aligns with their existing habits.

Identifying fitness goals: Inquiring about specific fitness goals will help you understand the diverse objectives of your users. This knowledge will enable you to design the app to accommodate a wide range of goals, such as weight loss, muscle gain, or overall fitness improvement.

Evaluating tracking and progress measurement: By asking about how users track their progress and measure their achievements, you can gain insights into their existing methods and tools. This will help you identify areas where your app can provide better solutions and more accurate tracking.

Exploring challenges and dissatisfaction: Understanding the challenges users face in tracking or managing their fitness without an app will give you an opportunity to address those pain points. Additionally, gauging their satisfaction level with current methods will help you identify areas for improvement and design features that will provide a better user experience.

Gathering preferences and expectations: By asking about previous experiences with fitness apps, specific features they desire, and their openness to alternative tracking methods, you can gain valuable insights into their expectations. This information will guide you in creating a feature set that meets their needs and exceeds their expectations. 


Interview Findings

Interviews were conducted and the following is the key findings-

Key Quotes-

"Staying physically active allows me to have the energy and stamina needed to keep up with my job and take care of my family."

"I prefer to engage in various activities rather than following a strict exercise program. It keeps things interesting and allows me to explore different fitness avenues."

"Having a dedicated fitness app would provide more detailed insights into my progress and help me set specific targets."

"If I were to explore a fitness tracking app, I would prioritize customizable workout plans, the ability to track various activities, and integration with other health apps or devices."

"I'm always open to exploring new technologies and tools that can enhance my fitness journey." 

Affinity Diagram

The data from the interview was also put into an affinity diagram. The following are the groups created for the data-

Motivations: The individuals in this group engage in physical activity to stay healthy, be physically active, manage stress, and set a good example for their children. They also prioritize overall health, strength building, and maintaining a fit physique.

Fitness Tracking: This group uses various methods to track their fitness progress, including fitness journals, body measurements, and energy level monitoring. Some individuals rely on fitness trackers like the Apple Watch to record activities, set targets, and monitor steps. They value the ability to track their workouts and daily activity to stay motivated and achieve personal achievements.

Pain Points: This group expresses challenges in tracking and managing fitness without an app. They mention difficulties in knowing the amount of physical activity they have done and achieving personal goals without objective data. Lack of motivation and the absence of real-time data and detailed insights are also mentioned as pain points.

Fitness Activities: Rather than following a specific exercise program, individuals in this group prefer engaging in various activities such as walking, playing football, going to the gym, swimming, and participating in outdoor sports. Some have personal trainers who provide tailored exercise programs.

Diet Individuals in this group pay attention to their diet and focus on a balanced and nutritious approach. Some mention efforts to cut down calories, meal prep, and consume sufficient water, fruits, vegetables, and protein.

Most Desired Features: If they were to use a fitness app, individuals in this group would like features such as a comprehensive exercise library, customizable workout plans, progress tracking, nutritional guidance, and user-friendly interface. Integration with other health apps or devices, along with the ability to monitor heart rate, are also mentioned as desirable features.

Time Spent for Exercise: Individuals in this group aim for physical activity three to four times a week, with some mentioning specific activities like playing football or going for walks. They dedicate regular time slots for physical activity, typically on weekends or during the week.

Fitness Goals: The primary fitness goals mentioned in this group include maintaining overall health and fitness, weight loss, and consistency in physical activity. The focus is on staying healthy, achieving and maintaining a desired physique, and general well-being.

Other: This group includes miscellaneous statements not directly related to the previous categories. They express satisfaction with their current fitness tracking methods, mention the motivation gained from observing others' progress, and highlight the importance of pushing themselves to improve.

User Persona 

User Insight

Jamal is a 30-year-old bricklayer from Birmingham, UK. He is a dedicated fitness enthusiast who engages in physical activities like football, occasional walks, and gym workouts. Jamal relies on his Apple Watch to track his steps and activities, but he desires an app that provides exercise demonstrations, customizable workout plans, and progress tracking. He values setting personal achievements and seeks motivation to maintain consistency. Without an app, he finds it challenging to track his progress and occasionally loses motivation. Jamal's goal is to maintain overall health, build strength, and improve his physique.

Problem Statement

We have observed uses face challenges in effectively tracking progress and staying motivated without a comprehensive fitness app. Although many users rely on tools such as an Apple Watch for basic tracking, many desire a solution that offers exercise demonstrations, customizable workout plans, and progress tracking features. The lack of an app tailored users needs hinders their ability to set and achieve personal fitness goals. 

I Wish

I Like

What If

Competitor Analysis- MyFitnessPal 

Positives-


Areas for Improvement-


Competitor Analysis- Peloton

Positives-


Areas for Improvement-


Competitor Analysis- GoogleFit

Positives-


Areas for Improvement-


Competitor Analysis- Runkeeper

Positives-


Areas for Improvement-


Competitor Analysis Outcomes

Welcome Screen: Include automatic scrolling to indicate multiple pictures/messages.

Sign-up/Sign-in Process: Streamline the process and provide specific instructions for different login methods (e.g., Google account, email). Ensure smooth handling of the verification process.

User Goals and Motivations: Incorporate multiple-choice questions to understand users' goals and motivations regarding fitness.

Home Screen: Keep the layout simple and intuitive for users to find the information they need. Consider providing a tutorial or walkthrough of the app's features.

Learn More Option: Include a section or subsection that offers additional information and guidance on using the app.

Visual Design: Focus on creating visually appealing login screens and consistent color themes throughout the app.

Convenience: Provide options for users to log in with popular accounts such as Google, Apple or Skip

Navigation Bar: Label the icons in the navigation bar to improve clarity and ease of use.

Feature prioritization matrix 

StoryBoard 

User Flow

Sketches 

Giving various options when creating an account simplifies the sign-up process for customers. Option to skip sign up creates frictionless user experience.

Combining between targeted and general content. Users who can access only personalized content may quickly feel bored with a product. It’s better to mix different types of content and allow users to discover new information or goods, even if it’s not based on their initial interests or previous purchases. 


User Test Plan

Usability and Navigation: Assessing the ease of navigation, clarity of menus/buttons, and identifying any difficulties encountered by users in accessing specific features or sections.

Feature Understanding and Functionality: Evaluating the intuitiveness of key features, challenges in using the customizable workout plan, and the ease of setting fitness goals, preferences, and schedules.

Design and Visual Appeal: Determining if the app's design and layout appeal to the target users, assessing the visual elements' aesthetics, and ensuring consistency throughout the app.

Expectations and Needs: Examining how well the app meets user expectations and needs regarding customizable workout plans, considering fitness goals, schedule, and preferences, and assessing alignment between generated workout plans and user goals.

Pain Points and Areas for Improvement: Identifying specific issues, frustrations, or areas for improvement highlighted by users during app usage, customization, or other interactions.

Motivation and Engagement: Assessing whether the app provides sufficient motivation and engagement for users to adhere to their workout plans, determining if gamification elements are motivating/enjoyable, and exploring potential enhancements for user motivation and engagement.

Key Learning From User Test


Iterations To Be Made From User Test

Navigation Improvements: Add tabs or a clear navigation menu at the bottom of the app for easy access to different sections and features. Ensure that the navigation elements are prominently displayed and intuitive, allowing users to find information easily.

Visual and Color Contrast Enhancements: Increase contrast in colors, especially for action buttons, to make them more visible and easily identifiable. Use color schemes that provide clear visual cues to guide users and make important elements stand out.

Motivational Features: Incorporate motivational features, such as progress tracking, achievements, rewards, or reminders, to engage and encourage users to stay motivated throughout their fitness journey.

Challenge Integration: Introduce challenges or gamification elements that offer users the opportunity to set and achieve fitness goals within the app. This can provide additional motivation and a sense of accomplishment.

Progress Tracking: Implement a feature that allows users to track their progress over time, whether it's recording workout sessions, monitoring weight or body measurements, or tracking other relevant metrics. This helps users visualize their progress and stay motivated.

Improved Onboarding and Beginner-Friendly Experience: Create a more comprehensive onboarding process that guides beginners through the app's features and functionalities, providing them with a clear understanding of how to get started. Consider incorporating tutorial videos, tooltips, or step-by-step guidance to assist users who are new to fitness apps.

Enhanced Intuitiveness: Identify and address specific areas or features that were found confusing by beginners. Simplify the user interface and provide clearer instructions or explanations where necessary to improve overall intuitiveness.

Mid-Fi Prototype

Future Development

Usability Testing: Conduct user testing sessions with the mid-fi prototype to gather feedback and identify any usability issues or areas for improvement. This will help validate the effectiveness of the app's features and ensure a seamless user experience.

Iteration and Refinement: Based on the insights gained from usability testing, iterate and refine the mid-fi prototype to address any identified issues and enhance the app's usability, navigation, and overall functionality.

Visual Design and Branding: Once the app's usability and functionality are refined, focus on enhancing the visual design and branding elements. Ensure that the colors, typography, and visual elements align with the app's target audience and convey a visually appealing and cohesive experience.

High-Fidelity Prototyping: Develop a high-fidelity prototype using the refined design and functionality. This will provide a more realistic representation of the app's look and feel, allowing for further user testing and feedback.

Comprehensive User Testing: Conduct thorough user testing sessions with the high-fidelity prototype to gather feedback on all aspects of the app, including usability, visual appeal, feature understanding, and motivation. Identify any remaining pain points or areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments.

Performance Optimization: Evaluate and optimize the app's performance, considering factors such as loading times, responsiveness, and stability. Ensure that the app functions smoothly and efficiently across different devices and platforms.

Launch and User Feedback: Release the app to a limited audience or beta testers to gather real-world user feedback. Monitor user interactions and gather insights to make further refinements and improvements before a wider release.

Figma

Prototype Mobile