How to Create a Fitness App

There has been a rapid increase in the number of health-conscious people after the fitness boom that occurred in the year 2014 with the advent of wearables. Gone are the days when exercising was meant for kids and was limited to youngsters. Today, people of all ages pay attention to their health and fitness to aim at a better lifestyle.

We have witnessed a complete change in our traditional industries when it comes to the way we eat, shop, travel or even date. In this digital world, we manage almost everything on our mobile phones. So why not Health and Fitness as well?

CATEGORIES TO INCLUDE WHEN YOU CREATE A FITNESS APP

Today, as the number of smartphone users grows by leaps and bound, the popularity of customized fitness apps is increasing continually. On the basis of a case study, Statista has predicted that globally, the number of fitness app users will surpass the figure of 353 million by 2022. Another report has estimated that Health apps revenue will expand to $31 billion by 2020.

With Health and Fitness app, gyms, as well as individuals, can reach out to a large number of potential customers. The main categories to include when you create your Fitness app are listed below:

Activity Tracking Apps

Fitness tracking apps keep a track of pretty much everything the user has done during the day. This includes information about the number of steps taken, stairs climbed, hours slept, distance and speed run, and calories burned. It can also track different sports taken up by the users, for instance, cycling, running, and so on.

The app shows the data collected using charts and graphs for the users to be aware and conscious of their progress.

Personal Trainer Apps

Workout apps enable trainers to conduct live workout sessions to guide users personally. It also includes workout plans that can come in different formats: videos, illustrations, 3D models, or just text. Users can choose the muscle they wish to focus on, set a difficulty level, and start training whenever they feel free.

The users get detailed information about the number of exercises, sets and time to be dedicated to each one of them.

Diet and Nutrition Apps

Fitness app provides the users with a personalized detailed diet according to their fitness goals and food habits. It may be for either losing or gaining weight, adopting healthy food habits or to fight illness.

Fitness freaks these days are extra conscious regarding the number of calories consumed. The fitness app helps them to keep a regular track. Users can choose a food item, specify the quantity, and get the estimated number of calories. This helps users trying to lose or gain a few pounds.

Meditation and Yoga apps

The holistic approach of health includes both physical and psychological wellness. The yoga and meditation category provides a range of sessions similar to Headspace.

Users can specify their level and pick the desired program. They can avail expert guidance from the live videos, audios or illustrations provided.

In-App Purchase

This section offers the option of purchasing fitness equipment and health drinks. It makes your Fitness app a complete business model and the users need not visit some other app or website for buying them.

You can offer some exclusive discounts on the products to encourage them to purchase it. This feature can save the user’s time and efforts as well as offers you an opportunity to earn some money.

KEY FEATURES OF FITNESS APP

Fitness app aims to make workout sessions more fun, flexible, and encouraging. People prefer using fitness apps instead of paying huge amounts to enroll themselves in a gym. These apps also provide services round the clock without the need to travel anywhere.

Make sure you include these basic features when you create your Fitness app to get an edge over your competitors:

User Profile

Users can sign in and register to create a personal account through email/phone no. or social media accounts. The next step would be building up their detailed profiles including age, gender, weight, height, health details, and illness if any.

Workout Planner

The in-app workout planner updates you with workout sessions every day according to your set goal or specified body part. The user can view the exercises along with the time duration. This helps the users to have daily targets and achieve their overall goals.

Social Media Integration

This feature enables users to share their workout goals and achievements on various social network platforms directly. They can share the data with your friends and stay in tune with their fitness plans as well. Social media integration can also boost an online search for your Fitness application.

Challenges

Keep your users motivated with regular challenges. They must complete the challenge within a stipulated period to claim the rewards such as discount coupons. This makes your app more fun and engaging.

Individual Targets

Using this feature, the users will be able to set their targets for a day, a week or a month. They can get their personalized goals such as burning 2500 calories, walking 10 miles or losing 2 kilograms.

Push Notifications

Push notifications are a great way to motivate users to achieve their fitness goals. You can encourage the users for regular workouts with inspirational quotes through notifications. Also, the users can set up reminders for the workout, and push notification can effectively remind them on time.

Wearable Device Connection

As the wearable devices have started gaining ground swiftly, it will be beneficial for you to enable users to connect the app with their wearable devices. This allows the users to monitor or track their fitness activities on the wearables with ease. Certainly, the wearable device connectivity also makes your app more user-friendly and unique.

Geolocation

Geolocation feature enables your Fitness app to monitor direction and routes when the users go for walking, cycling, or jogging. They can know their exact location and share it with their friends as well.

Premium version

You can offer a premium version of your app to avail of exclusive features with a small fee. The premium users of your Fitness app could view the add-free version, get regular discount coupons or even free shipping of their products.

Video Tutorials

A lot of people might be beginners and would require guidance for correct postures and techniques. Live video tutorials by experts can help them to know the ins and outs of workout. It is easy to give necessary tips regarding workouts and their impact on a particular part of the body with video tutorials.

Multiple Payment Methods

It’s better to have several payment methods for the users, as everyone has their individual preferences. Provide them with payment facilities like credit/debit cards, net banking, cash on delivery and digital wallets. You must also ensure the payment options are 100% safe and secure.

CONCLUSION

Fitness apps are growing in popularity with rising health awareness. Although services like MyFtnessPal and Google Fit are already reigning in the market, there are still many unexplored possibilities that you can plan and execute.

With proper market research, the inclusion of vital features, followed by appropriate marketing, you can develop the next market-dominating app.

Above all, we understand that creating a Fitness app is easier said than done. To create an app that is popular in app stores, you would require the right fitness app development company.

Idea Usher has top app developers with collective years of experience. We have prior expertise in developing iOS and Android apps for fitness like Brewfit. Get in touch with our team of experts for the smooth and quick development of your app. Contact us with your idea at [email protected].