The Product
FitSync is a personalised health and fitness organisation that helps individuals improve general fitness as well as manage specific health conditions like diabetes. FitSync works with people who are looking to take control of their fitness journey.
The Goal
To design an app that is aimed at helping people improve their health and fitness, with in app health goals, fitness tracking, and health checks avaialble at every stage of an end users journey..
My Role:
User Research, Interaction, Visual design, Prototyping & testing.
Skills:
Figma, Figjam, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Miro,
Duration:
4 months
The Problem
The story of FitSync
Many fitness apps help users track workouts, nutrition and progress. However, many of these apps struggle to keep users motivated and engaged. There is also an abundance of features, combined with a lack of personalised guidance. Recognising this, FitSync is an app that focuses on personalisation, simplicity and motivation with a supportive, user friendly environment.
The Challenge
What other apps lack
Many fitness and health apps lack integration between various aspects of a user's wellness journey, such as workout routines, nutrition tracking, and mental health support. They also often fall short in providing personalised guidance tailored to individual goals.
Issue #1
Many apps on the market lack personalisation features, making it difficult for users to receive tailored recommendations or guidance based on their unique goals,
Issue #2
Many fitness apps also encounter issues when tracking multiple health metrics such as workouts and nutrition. This leads in a fragmented user experience and makes it harder for users to see a holistic view of progress made.
Issue #3
Many fitness apps lack integration with specific health conditions like diabetes, making it difficult for users to track both their physical activity and condition-related metrics in one place, limiting the app’s effectiveness for managing chronic health conditions.
Design Review
Opportunity Mapping
Opportunity #1
By offering tailored workout plans based on individual health data, FitSync can help users achieve their fitness goals more effectively, particularly those managing health conditions like diabetes.
Opportunity #2
Integrating health tracking features, such as blood sugar levels or heart rate monitoring, will allow users to seamlessly monitor their progress and make informed decisions about their health and fitness routines.
Opportunity #3
Providing a platform for users to connect, share progress, and support each other could increase engagement and accountability, fostering a sense of community and motivation for long-term health improvement.
User Personas
Pat Smith
Retired teacher
Pat is enjoying retirement and has more free time to focus on personal health. She is interested in staying active but prefers low-impact exercises that are easy on joints.
Goals
- Engage in safe, low-impact fitness routines
- Monitor health metrics and progress
- Maintain mobility and flexibility
Frustrations
- Concern about injury or overexertion
- Limited knowledge of modern fitness technology
- Desire for workouts that are enjoyable and varied
Jamie Lee
Graphic designer
Jamie is passionate about fitness and works out regularly. She enjoys trying new fitness trends and is active on social media, sharing her fitness journey and connecting with others.
Goals
- Discover new workouts and fitness challenges
- Track detailed progress and performance metrics
- Share achievements and connect with like-minded individuals
Frustrations
- Boredom with repetitive workouts
- Difficulty finding advanced workout plans
- Desire for a supportive fitness community
Chris Johnson
Software engineer
Chris recently became a parent and is adjusting to a new routine. He wants to get back into shape post-pregnancy but has limited time and energy.
Goals
Find quick, beginner-friendly workouts that can be done at homeBalance fitness with parenting responsibilitiesRegain strength and stamina
Frustrations
- Lack of sleep and energy
- Limited time due to childcare duties
- Need for workouts that are safe and effective post opperation
Alex Martinez
Marketing manager
Alex works long hours and travels frequently for work. He used to be very active but now struggles to find time to maintain a regular fitness routine.
Goals
- Find quick, effective workouts that fit into a tight schedule
- Track progress and stay motivated despite a busy lifestyle
- Receive personalised workout recommendations and reminders
Frustrations
- Lack of time to visit the gym
- Difficulty maintaining a consistent workout schedule
- Needs exercises that can be done in a hotel room or small space
Competitors
Insight #1
Many apps, like MyFitnessPal, have complex and overwhelming data entry processes that could be simplified for easier use, especially for users with health conditions.
Insight #2
Apps like Fitbit and Nike Training Club offer limited customisation for fitness plans, particularly for users with specific health needs, such as diabetes.
Insight #3
Strava excels in outdoor tracking but lacks sufficient indoor workout guidance, leaving users with health restrictions underserved.
Insight #4
While apps like Apple Health aggregate data well, they fall short in offering actionable, personalised fitness plans tailored to users managing chronic conditions.
User Testing
Discussion overview
When users tested other fitness and health apps they struggled with navigation often due to cluttered interfaces and unclear pathways to key features. Additionally, there was a need for more personalised content, expressing frustration with generic recommendations that didn’t align with their specific fitness goals. Simplifying the layout, improving feature visibility and incorporating personalised guidance were identified as key areas to drive sucess with good user engagement.
Concerns
#1 Key issue identified
Users often found the platform's interface complex and tedious. They were frustrated when navigating through the vast amount of content and were unable to find specific resources quickly.
#2 Key issue identified
There were occasional problems with logging in and maintaining session integrity. Users sometimes reported difficulties with the login process despite entering correct credentials.
#3 Key issue identified
A need to develop and demonstrate a light version of the tool kit was fostered. This would help users who required less complex solutions.
#4 Key issue identified
An urgent need for a clear, transparent roadmap system had been expressed. This would need to guide stakeholders through the range of tools.
#5 Key issue identified
Users did not fully benefit from the comprehensive suite of tools available. This lead to underutilisation and missed opportunities for enhanced security.
Site Map
I created a site map for the FitSync app to establish a clear structure and organisation for it's content and features. This ensured that all primary and secondary functionalities such as fitness tracking were logically arranged and easily navigable. The site map helped identify potential pain points in user flows early on and provided a solid foundation for designing an intuitive and user-friendly interface.
Design
Wireframing
Userbility testing
Upon completing the FitSync wireframes, usability findings revealed that users struggled with navigation due to a cluttered interface and unclear pathways to key features. Additionally, there was a need for more personalised content, as users expressed frustration with generic recommendations that didn’t align with their specific fitness goals. Creating a simple and elegant layout was an important factor in helping to improve user experience and engagement.
Our Findings:
85% of participants successfully completed key tasks, such as creating a fitness plan or tracking health metrics.
The error rate was 12% with common mistakes involving misunderstandings about the terminology or iconography used for certain features.
70% of users rated navigation as "easy to follow," but 30% noted minor confusion around accessing health-specific customization settings.
Improving menu hierarchy and emphasizing frequently used features could enhance usability.
Refinement
Final Designs
Results
Following the successful launch of FitSync, the app saw high adoption rates driven by its intuitive design and personalised features. Users reported improved satisfaction with a streamlined interface, which made tracking workouts and health metrics easier and more motivating. Feedback highlighted the effectiveness of tailored recommendations and the seamless integration of features, which helped users stay on track with their fitness goals. Additionally, the app’s holistic approach to health fostered long-term retention and positioned FitSync as a reliable tool for achieving sustainable results.
Takeaways
#1 The Power of User-Centered Design
Understanding and prioritising user needs is critical to creating an app that is both functional and engaging. By conducting thorough research and usability testing, I learned how to identify pain points and design solutions that resonate with real users.
#2 Simplicity Drives Engagement
Simplicity in design plays a key role in user adoption. Streamlining features and presenting information clearly made the app more approachable, teaching me the importance of reducing complexity while maintaining functionality.
#3 The Value of Iteration
Balancing user needs with business goals and technical feasibility taught me to take a holistic approach to UX design. I learned how to design for scalability while ensuring that the final product aligned with user expectations and the overall vision of the project.
#4 Holistic Thinking Matters
Balancing user needs with business goals and technical feasibility taught me to take a holistic approach to UX design. I learned how to design for scalability while ensuring that the final product aligned with user expectations and the overall vision of the project.
