Vitruvian

User feedback was scattered across multiple channels, including Slack, Instabug, social media, and feedback surveys, making it difficult to identify common issues. I took the initiative to centralize all feedback into a single Notion table, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become our data team. By performing basic data analysis, I identified the workout builder as the leading cause of user dissatisfaction.

Through this feedback, it became clear that users were struggling with the workout builder, particularly with the inability to create sets like they do at the gym. This frustration was compounded by the repetitive and time-consuming process of adding each exercise individually, which detracted from the overall user experience.

In addition to feedback analysis, I spearheaded the implementation of user testing practices, a first for the company outside of sessions run by our fitness coaches. I recruited participants who matched our target market—tech-savvy, high-income earners aged 25-45 with a passion for health and fitness and some experience in strength training. Through these sessions, we observed real users interacting with the app, providing valuable insights that further highlighted the inefficiencies of the workout builder.

For example: A simple workout of 4 exercises with 3 sets each. (3 bench press, 3 shoulder press, 3 squats, 3 rows)You had to manually add the 4 exercises. Then duplicate them. One by one. This issue detracts from the user experience, potentially leading to decreased engagement and satisfaction with the app. Our goal is to streamline the workout creation process by enabling users to add/edit exercises efficiently, enhancing usability and aligning the app more closely with users' real-world gym practices.

• Reducing the amount of time to create a workout from start to finish
• Streamlining the process by enabling users to add/edit exercises efficiently
• Simplify the creation of supersets and circuits

To refine our workout builder, I conducted a detailed competitor analysis of leading fitness apps. This involved choosing top fitness apps known for strong workout creation features, systematically comparing how these apps handle exercise selection, set customisation, and workout structuring, and analysing the ease of use and customisation options from a user’s perspective.

The goal was to ensure that our workout builder not only met user expectations but also offered unique advantages that set it apart in a crowded market. By understanding what works well in other apps and where they fall short, we could create a more refined, intuitive, and competitive product. This analysis was essential for making informed design decisions, ensuring our app provided a seamless experience that aligns with real-world fitness needs while offering something distinct to attract and retain users.

• Most fitness apps allow users to add multiple exercises at once, reducing the time spent on initial setup. Additionally, exercises were often displayed as aggregated sets within a single tile, making it easier for users to manage and edit their workouts.
• Many apps default exercises to three sets, which can be adjusted. New sets often duplicate previous ones, making customization quicker and easier.
• Most apps start exercises as straight sets, with the option to convert them into supersets or circuits later in the process. This flexibility allows users to start with a basic structure and gradually build more complex workouts.

In the first iteration, we aimed to address the most immediate pain points by introducing a basic option for users to enter the number of straight sets they wanted for each exercise. We maintained the original design's exercise selection screen, rep and weight pickers to keep the flow consistent and aggregated the sets into one card to streamline the interface. This option, while the most simple to design and develop, only allowed users to create identical sets. While this approach provided some relief, internal feedback indicated that it was too limiting for our user base.

Based on internal feedback, we decided to take a bolder approach by redesigning the entire workout creation flow. Users now selected all exercises before drilling down into set details, a change that mirrored the process of organizing a balanced and goal-oriented workout. This approach minimized rest periods, maximized workout flow, and promoted a holistic fitness experience. We also introduced the ability to customize sets with different reps and weights, adding flexibility for advanced techniques like pyramid sets and drop sets, which are essential for keeping workouts effective and engaging for our core audience.

The third design iteration focused on allowing users to create supersets and circuits with more control. Users could select which sets they wanted to group together into a superset or circuit. However, once exercises were bundled together, they were removed from the selection screen if users revisited the superset creation process. This meant that to make any changes, users had to first unbundle the existing superset, which added extra time and complexity. While this was a solid first step towards more advanced workout creation, it highlighted the need for a more flexible approach.

The last iteration focused on enhancing user efficiency and satisfaction, while also incorporating an impromptu brand redesign. This led to a different theme in the app's design. These refinements, alongside the brand redesign, resulted in a more intuitive and visually cohesive workout builder that aligned with the real-world practices of our users.

• Straight Sets: Adding an exercise now defaults to three straight sets, with additional sets copying the values of the preceding set, saving time for users.
• Grouped Straight Sets: All straight sets are grouped together, with their values displayed on a single card, reducing screen clutter and making it easier to review the entire workout.
• New Scroll Pickers for Weight: To address complaints about the time-consuming weight adjustments, we introduced scroll pickers that allow users to quickly set weights while ensuring safety by capping the maximum weight based on personal bests.
• Supersets and Circuits: These were introduced as optional features that users could easily integrate into their routines, offering more advanced workout customization without complicating the main flow.