How To Create A Fitness App That Improves Training Process?

Working out at home has become a forced routine since the start of the pandemic. Today, there are a huge number of such applications on the market with different directions and functionality. Some of these apps offer additional features for an additional fee, while others are completely free.

In this article, we will consider the prospects of such a direction as fitness applications and the process of its development.

Read also: How to Create a Dating App like Tinder: Tips, Features, Process, and Cost

Fitness App Market Overview

The fitness app market has been particularly impacted by COVID-19. Most people were faced with the need to exercise at home, and were willing to pay for it. This forced most sports organizations to get their own applications.

At the end of 2021, the fitness app market size reached a value of US$1.1 billion. Already today, the sports app market is expected to reach $15.2 billion by 2028. Thus, its average annual growth rate will be approximately 17.6%.

Why Build a Fitness App?

Developing a fitness app is always about expanding your audience and adapting to the needs of the modern market. Another aspect is additional income, since you can offer various additional services, for example, as an addition to offline activities.

It is also an excellent field for various collaborations and collaborations. And when using native development, you can use the geofencing function, and increase the efficiency of your work offline. Making relevant offers to your customers.

Types of Fitness and Workout Apps

The development of fitness applications can take many forms. We will look at 5 main types of applications.

1. Fitness tracking apps

This type of application helps to calculate calories. Some of them have to be filled in with your diet manually, some have the option to scan barcodes. This also includes apps that help track physical activity.

2. Fitness & Workout Apps

They offer training programs, personal consultations with top trainers and even receive special track listings for training.

3. Social fitness apps

This is essentially a special type of social network for people who are looking for like-minded people and motivation.

 4. Competitive fitness apps

This is another manifestation of social applications, but here everything is based on the spirit of competition between platform participants.

5. Altruistic fitness apps

Everything here is built on the achievements of users and charity, which goes in parallel. More sports achievements - a large amount of donations.

Read also: Mobile App Design Best Practices: 4 Do’s and Dont’s

Fitness App Features

Fitness app ideas may differ in their content and approach. But there is a basic set of features that users expect to see.

1. User profile: basic information, banking details for subscriptions, achievement charts.

2. Integration of wearable and non-wearable devices: for example, connecting a smart watch to collect statistics.

3. Activity summaries over a certain period of time: this allows you to compare and track progress.

4. Goal setting: This is especially true for those who are actively involved in sports or want to lose weight.

5. Tracking indicators: such information can be useful not only for sports, but also for medical purposes.

6. Push Notifications: Notify your users about progress and updates, use geofencing and improve offline business efficiency.

7. Community: help users find like-minded people.

8. Gamification: This increases the level of satisfaction from using the application.

9. Video tutorials: this makes training easier and more effective.

5 Best Fitness App Monetization Strategies

There are several main ways to make money on sports applications. Each of them can be implemented by a team of professional developers without much effort.

1. Subscription based applications. You offer a basic set of functions to the user, and he can purchase all the additional ones by purchasing a subscription.
2. In-app purchases (IAP). These can be goods or services, for example, paid consultations with a trainer or nutritionist.
3. Placement of advertising. A simple way to earn money, but you need to use it carefully, since a large amount of advertising can reduce customer loyalty.
4. Store physical goods in the application. Sports require equipment and accessories, and you can offer them for sale through partnerships.
5. Cross-promotion and influencer marketing. Attract bloggers who will help popularize your application through their audience.

4 Steps to Create Your Own Fitness App

The development process may differ in nuances, depending on the request. Consider the development process from scratch.

Market research and platform selection

At this stage, the business analyst conducts a deep research and determines your place in the niche. It is also important to take into account competitors and clearly understand your audience. You also need to understand what kind of devices your typical client uses.

Technology stack selection

The technology stack affects not only the capabilities of the application, but also the cost of the development. Choose the tech stack wisely. We also always recommend choosing native development. This will allow you to use the full potential of the application, adapt to the user and collect analytics.

Creating an MVP and testing it

Your MVP should include all the basic functionality and fully think through the UX / UI of the application. So you will check all the features of the application and be able to finalize it before a full release.

Launch and post-release support

A ready-made working application requires updates and improvements, for example, when requirements change in application stores.

Read also: All About macOS App Development: Tools, Costs, Best Practices

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Fitness App

So, how much does it cost to create a fitness app? The final answer will be known only after compiling a list of functions and choosing a technology stack.

Most often, the cost is formed based on the hourly rate of developers. In Eastern Europe, these figures are much lower.

Consider the base number of hours it takes to build a fitness app:

• Project preparation and market research – ~50 hours.
• Design (creating UI and UX) — ~100 hours.
• Backend, Frontend and direct development - ~250 hours.
• Integration with third-party services, for example, payment systems - ~60 hours.

Thus, the average duration of a project is approximately 460 hours.

Fitness App Development Best Practices

Let's consider several successful implementations of fitness applications.

1. Runtastic

The application allows you to set goals, use the built-in GPS to record routes, and even share your progress with friends while doing any kind of sport.

One of the features of the application is tracking the condition of shoes and clothing for sports.

2. Daily yoga

The application is designed for all levels. To get started, the user gets a two-week course for free, there are also additional subscription features. Another opportunity of the platform is communication with like-minded people.

 3. MyTraining workout tracking log

Here you can find hundreds of training videos that you add to your training calendar. The fitness planner app can be used as a personal trainer when training in the gym.

Our Experience in Fitness App Development

Our portfolio also includes an application for fans of a healthy lifestyle - Gerasyanov app.

It is a whole digital health ecosystem with new features to improve the health of people around the world. Gerasyanov is a comprehensive digital service for health practices.

Our team provided a full cycle of wellness platform development. The platform brings together people inspired by the idea of rejuvenation and recovery through unique author's wellness practices.

Final Thoughts

Fitness app building can be a great business solution. The main requirement here, as always, is the choice of a responsible and professional development team. Increase your income, experiment with monetization types and listen to feedback.

We recommend starting with a deep analysis of your audience, and only after that move on to mobile app development itself. Do not forget that not only your income, but also your reputation depends on a quality application.