Gymate
As a UX designer, I took on a side project to develop a proof of concept for a new business, which involved integrating branding, interior design, and digital experience solutions that cater to the motivational benefits of having a gym buddy, with the intent of refining and implementing them in the future if the product development progresses.
Overview
Problem
How can UX design be used to create an app that connects users with compatible workout partners, simplifies scheduling and communication, and offers personalized workout plans to make partner workouts more efficient and effective?
Solution
Gymate aims to provide users with an easy and simple method to find people to exercise with.
Features
The main features of Gymate's high-fidelity prototype focus on user-centric flow, including:
User overview
A homepage that allows users to see appointments at a glance with a simple profile introduction
Seamless planning
Straightforward exploration of users with common interests and a short introduction, including location information
Flexible scheduling
Flexibility to make, cancel, and edit appointments without limits during communication
Unobtrusive setting
The unobtrusive design of less frequently used functions
Low barrier of entry to communication
Low barrier to entry for communication
Design Process
Research
Gymate's design process involved several research methods, including secondary research, competitive analysis, and user interviews, to create an accessible design that meets user needs and requirements. The design principles of Gymate include accessibility, intuitiveness, simplicity, and consistency.
Insights
General (but limited) ideas of working out with a partner
Friends, you actually know already
Personal trainer you hired
Existing products in the market
Popular work out related products
Insights
Usually focused on the workout session and guiding. No feature for gym buddies, but some have a part that could connect to the trainer, which is related to hiring them.
Gym buddy related products
Insights
In order to match, it is necessary to select a specific sport, and there is also a lack of accessibility in communication.
Define
Design Opportunities
UI/UX design will focus on creating an easy-to-use scheduling interface with appointment highlights, a user-friendly chat function, and detailed profile options to best express users.
Design Principles
Wireframe
The wireframe and UI sketch was created to make the infrastructure simple and accessible, adhering to Gymate's design principles.
UI Sketch
Visualized the flow into UI sketches.
User testing
Multiple user testing was done using UI sketches to gain feedback, which led to several helpful improvements, such as easy access to the schedule overview and schedule tab and a calendar overview to help users understand and be reminded of new appointments.
When
The user checks out their appointments through the schedule overview on the main menu.
Feedback
It would be more helpful if the schedule overview and the schedule tab could be accessed naturally.
When
The users communicated and finally agreed on meeting up for the workout.
Feedback
After adding a new appointment, showing a calendar overview would help to understand and be reminded.
Future Opportunities
Opportunities to improve the Gym Buddy app in the future include auto-scheduling, collaborating with other products, social media integration, and a reward system for exercising with gym buddies. These improvements could enhance user convenience, engagement, and motivation.
Low Fidelity Mock-Up
Gymate's low-fidelity mock-up aimed to refine the visual design while applying user feedback and focusing on the primary product function.
Objectives
Gymate's objectives are to provide a simple and efficient solution for users to find workout partners, show the app's features, and make the process as simple as possible.
Next step
Future developments for Gymate could include finding local gym buddies for users, implementing a rating system for users, creating opportunities to host new encounters, adding a gaming feature to gain rewards, levels, and avatars, and incorporating an exercise log for personal reasons or sharing information.
Reflection
Gymate was a project that aimed to connect people and provide users with a good experience. The design process started with the idea of finding a good friend to exercise with and gradually developed into a product that can connect people for a good reason and create positive results.
Conclusion: Gymate aims to help users find workout partners with ease, and the product's design and features adhere to Gymate's principles of accessibility, intuitiveness, simplicity, and consistency.