Bim: Ditch the gym, train smarter!

Role

Senior Product Designer

Company

Butler Industries

Company Web

Project

Experience the ultimate in personalized fitness with our app. Connect one-on-one with your chosen personal trainer for live, interactive workouts tailored to your specific goals. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, our platform provides the support and guidance you need to achieve your best.

Bim was featured on App Store within its first year of launch.

Industry

Fitness

Service

Native App Design, UX Research, Web Design, Coaching, UI Testing

Tools

Visual Identity

We chose a colour scheme of dark blue, grey, and white to symbolise purity, trust, and balance. This choice reflects the company's commitment to providing dependable, uncomplicated service.

Framework

By adopting Agile methodology, Bim can be developed iteratively, ensuring the app meets the needs of users and trainers, ultimately leading to a successful fitness training platform.

The Process

Define the Problem
- During COVID19 hit, many people were not able to go to the gym to workout or train with their Personal Trainers as most countries were on lockdown.
- The lack of activity led to weight gain and decrease in fitness levels Personal Trainers lose a huge percentage of their income because gyms were closed.
Conduct Research
- Conduct interviews and surveys with both personal trainers and potential trainees.
- Identify the challenges trainers face in managing group sessions and offering one-on-one support.
- Understand trainee struggles with sticking to personalised plans and staying motivated.
- Create persona of Trainees and Personal Trainers.
Ideate & Conceptualise
- Training Delivery: Personalised workout plans, video demonstrations, progress tracking.
- Communication: Secure messaging, in-app scheduling, personal and group video calls for classes .
- Community & Support: Discussion forums, challenges, motivational content.
Prototype & Development
- Design a user-friendly interface catering to both Trainees and Trainers.
- Trainers: Easy creation and management of plans, class scheduling, communication tools.
- Trainees: Clear navigation to personalised plans, workout instructions, communication tools, progress tracking, and community features.
Testing & Evaluation
- Develop a low-fidelity prototype to test functionalities.
- Conduct user testing with both Trainees and Trainers personas.
- Observe user interactions and behaviour.
- Gather feedback to iterate on the design.
- Develop a high-fidelity Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with core functionalities based on feedback.
Iteration & Refinement
- Develop a high-fidelity prototype.
- Launch the product to a limited audience.
- Gather further user feedback.
- Continuously iterate and improve the product based on user data and market needs.
- Improve UI and components according to the latest trend.

Target Research: Trainees

Disrupted Fitness Routines Lack of Equipment
- Lack of Equipment: Without access to gym equipment, trainees who relied on machines or weights struggled to maintain their usual workout intensity at home.
- Motivation and Guidance: Trainees used to in-person training might have found it difficult to stay motivated and disciplined on their own. Limited Space: Not everyone has a dedicated home gym space.
Impact on Progress
- Muscle Loss and Strength Decline: Studies suggest even short periods of inactivity can lead to muscle loss and strength decline. This could be a concern for those who weren't able to replicate their gym workouts at home.
- Difficulty with Technique: Learning new exercises or maintaining proper form can be challenging without a trainer's guidance. This could increase the risk of injury.
Mental and Social Aspects
- Loss of Social Interaction: Gyms can be a social environment, offering a sense of community and support. Lockdowns took away this aspect, potentially impacting mental well-being.
- Increased Stress Levels: The pandemic itself caused increased stress for many people. Without the gym as an outlet, some might have struggled to manage stress levels effectively
Finding Alternatives
- Limited Online Options: While online fitness options boomed during the pandemic, not everyone found them engaging or accessible. Cost, technical limitations, and lack of personalised tips could be barriers. Motivation to
- Start New Routines: Some trainees might have lacked the initial motivation to explore new at-home workout routines or online fitness platforms.
Positive Adaptations
- Discovering New Activities: For some, gym closures were an opportunity to discover new ways to stay active, like running, bodyweight workouts, or outdoor exercise.
- Developing Home Gyms: Some trainees invested in basic home gym equipment, allowing them to continue strength training routines at home.

Target Research: Trainers

Financial Strain
- Loss of Income: Gyms closing meant trainers lost their income from in-person sessions. They scrambled to find new work, like online training or different jobs altogether.
- Clientele Decline: Gyms closing due to lockdowns hurt trainers twice: no in-person sessions and fewer gym clients meant fewer referrals.
Adapting to Online
- Training Learning Curve: Some trainers weren't ready to teach online. They had to learn new tech and figure out how to train people virtually.
- Engagement Challenges: Keeping clients motivated and engaged during online sessions can be more difficult compared to in-person training.
Reduced Job Security
- Uncertainty: Many trainers operate as independent contractors, facing increased job insecurity with gym closures. The future of the fitness industry remained uncertain during lockdowns.
- Competition: The growth of online fitness platforms meant increased competition for clients, especially for those new to online training.
Impact on Personal Connection
- Loss of Interaction: A big part of a personal trainer's job is the personal connection and motivation they provide clients. Lockdowns took away the in-person interaction, which many trainers and clients valued.
Looking Forward
- Hybrid Approach: As gyms reopen, some trainers are adopting a hybrid approach, offering both online and in-person sessions to cater to client preferences.
- Increased Tech Integration: The future of fitness training will likely involve more tech. Trainers will need to keep learning new tools to stay on top.

Personas

Name

Maya

Target Type

Trainee

About

Age: 32
Occupation: Marketing Manager
Tech Savvy: Yes
Fitness Background: Gym regular for 2 years, enjoys weight training and group fitness classes.

Quotes

"I miss the energy of the gym and pushing myself with other people. Working out at home just feels different."
"There are so many workout apps out there, but it's hard to know which ones are actually good and will help me reach my goals."
"I'm worried about losing all the progress I've made. I need to find a way to stay on track with my fitness at home."

Problem

Due to COVID-19 closures, Maya can't go to the gym. She feels demotivated and worried about losing the progress she's made.

Needs

Effective home workouts: Maya needs structured workout routines she can do at home with minimal equipment.
Motivation and accountability: Maya misses the social interaction and guidance of the gym environment. She needs ways to stay motivated and accountable for her fitness goals.
Variety and challenge: Maya enjoys different types of workouts and wants to avoid a plateau in her fitness progress.

Frustrations

Finding reliable workout resources: There are too many fitness apps and online programs, making it hard to know which ones are effective.
Staying motivated at home: Maya struggles to stick to a workout routine without the gym environment and group classes.
Missing the social aspect: Maya misses the camaraderie and support she received from her gym buddies and trainer.

How to Help

A mobile app offering personalised home workout routines with minimal equipment needs.
A subscription service with live-streamed fitness classes led by certified trainers.
A virtual community platform connecting trainees with each other and fitness professionals for support and motivation.

Name

Elizabeth