Who is FitCoach?

FitCoach is a hypothetical mobile application that gives users a personalized fitness regimen and access to video exercises, in a variety of categories, recorded by certified trainers and instructors called “coaches”.

The Ask

Millennials are the fittest generation ever resulting in the climb of gym prices, especially in large cities. How might we design a new product to give millennials an alternative way to stay healthy and active?

Understanding User Needs

A total of 10 users were interviewed and 67 surveyed to...

• discover the motivations of millennials to engage in physical activities
• uncover alternative ways to maintain health and wellness
• find out how millennials incorporate physical fitness in their everyday lives
• evaluate frustrations millennials have around health and fitness

Exploring the Competition

To further evaluate the marketplace, we researched the strengths and weaknesses of current products on the market so we could learn about current industry standards and identify any gaps in current services offered.

No competitor addressed every user need. Through analyzing competitors we saw the need for FitCoach to offer instructive content as well as personalized workouts to fit the users’ personal goals and needs.

Limited to Location

Personal Trainer Inclusion

Instructive/Educational

User can track workouts

User can design workouts

Representing the User

To further empathize with users and address their major needs, We synthesized the research and created a persona that embodies the users.

Whitney S.

Age: 24

Location: Washington, DC

Occupation: Data Analyst

Goals:

• Engage with friends while exercising at home to stay motivated
• Track workouts to make sure she’s being consistent
• Try new workouts

Frustrations:

• Not being able to afford a personal trainer
• Having a hard time finding a variety of different at home workouts from one source
• Not having good instruction for new workouts

Representing the User's Journey

To better understand the user experience in the current state and identify opportunities to improve it, we created a journey map for our persona, Whitney. We used the journey map to step into the user's shoes, identify painpoints and start brainstorming ideas for solutions.

Defining the Problem

To get a clear description of the issues, faced by users, identified in the research, we devised a problem statement. The problem statement also gave us focus and direction in constructing a solution.

"Health-minded millennials need a way to discover a variety of guided exercises with a personalized regimen because they want the  confidence in their ability to efficiently reach their fitness goals."

Developing the Solution

We created an app map to fully organize the navigation.

Problem

Solution

Lack of adequate instruction and guidance from one source

Full video exercises to follow along with, where users can message coaches for extra guidance and info

Difficulty exercising consistently while maintaining a busy schedule

A personalized regimen based on the user's goals, schedule, and preferences

Unable to engage with friends while exercising at home

Live coaching where users can exercise with coaches live and engage with friends

Organizing the Solution

We created a user flow to begin thinking about how the user will navigate through the app. The user flow visually represents the step-by-step journey of the user completing two tasks essential to the function of the app, watching a fitness video and messaging the coach. It also served as a first step toward creating wireframes and a working prototype.

Wireframing the Solution

Users can view their scheduled workout for the day and see which coaches are hosting live sessions.

Users can view their personalized regimen and edit it as they wish.

Users can view different coach profiles so they can find a coach they're compatible with and also chat with coaches.

Users can track various statistics to keep up with their fitness goals.

Testing the Solution

Six users were tested to assess the navigation and flow of the app, evaluate the usability of the app, and validate our design decisions. With insights from testing, we added an instructional overlay on how to edit the routine on the calendar screen and streamlined the user flow.

Developing the UI

The color theme of the app is a monochromatic blue with a pop of green for some CTA buttons. Blue was used to communicate reliability and trustworthiness as well as strength and confidence. I wanted users to trust the brand and feel like they can rely on FitCoach to help them reach their fitness goals. A monochromatic theme was used to communicate cohesiveness and harmony because FitCoach is meant to serve as a complete experience where users can set goals, get a regimen, exercise, and track their fitness.

The green was used as an accent color, because it communicates optimism and growth, and prevents the monochromatic theme from being monotonous. A lot of whitespace was also incorporated so the colors and key elements can still be dominant on the screens, and the app could look clean and simple. The typography was kept clean, simple, and modern.

Checkout the prototype here!