People around the world are hitting the gym, and as a result the fitness industry has grown to gigantic proportions. However, while millions of people want to be fit, a visit to the gym isn’t for everyone. While some people are too busy with their work schedules, others simply don't want to sweat and grunt in view of others.
A workout in the gym might not fit into a business or travel itinerary, and obviously some small towns might not have any gyms at all. Does that mean we're left without a way to work out? It certainly doesn't, thanks to the latest software apps. This article will teach you how to build a personal-trainer application and break through the competitive fitness industry.
Why create personal-trainer apps?
Fitness software makes life easier because it offers anytime-anywhere guidance for a wide range of sports activities. With the right app, the fitness seeker can experience the ultimate in convenience and personalization. After all, why attend HIIT or Tabata classes if you can simply download the relevant personal-trainer apps and have a wonderful training session at home? Not only do these mobile applications offer lists of exercises, but they're also equipped with timers, music playback and body-measurement calculators.
The ability to work out at home isn’t the only benefit of a personal-trainer app. Other advantages include:
- Accountability: Users can set up workout reminders to stay on track for better accountability and quicker results.
- Flexibility: Time isn't an obstacle anymore. If you work late and can't manage a morning workout, these apps will give you beneficial exercise routines whenever you want them.
- Affordability: An app is much less expensive than a live trainer is. Sure, it isn’t such a big deal for some, but still, the majority of people consider it expensive. However, if you have any medical conditions, hiring a trainer would be a better option. Safety should be your first consideration.
- Customization: Users can easily customize the workouts according to their needs and requirements. Nevertheless, it's important to accommodate any medical issues you might have.
The leading app stores now stock a total of more than 290,000 health and fitness apps. However, don't think there isn't a place for you. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can still develop an app for personal trainers and sports fans. The market keeps growing, and there's always room for a great new product.
What are the basic types of personal-trainer apps?
Before creating a personal training app, let’s consider the most popular formats. The most widespread types of personal-trainer apps include illustration-based, video-based, 3-D model-based, and text-based. Usually, an app will encompass all of the general types of content, but the primary focus will be more specific. The purpose is to correctly explain how to perform exercises and thereby replace a real-life personal trainer.
Illustration-based
Yazio Calorie Counter is a free personal-trainer application that contains a rich database of nutrition-based images and illustrations. Not only does the app help count calories, but it also provides education on proper nutrition. Another example is the FitnessBuilder app, which has approximately 5,600 photos and videos with exercises. You can drag those photos to create a personalized fitness workout and then print it as a PDF.
Video-based
FitStar Personal Trainer is a brilliant example of the video-based app, featuring HD content with a wide variety of workout routines and exercises. When you download the application, you can set up a schedule of routines based on the desired exercise duration. The program regularly adds new moves, too.
3D model-based
iMuscle 2 is a 3D model-based app that lets you select the body parts you want to work on. Once your selection is made, the app offers videos of exercises designed to shape and tone those parts of the body.
Text-based
The CrossFit app contains a newsfeed with articles and workout recipes. Additionally, the application stores the data from all of the user's workout days.
Keep in mind that not all personal-trainer apps are fully customizable. Sometimes you can only follow a preset routine without being able to tailor the exercises and complexity to match your preferences. So, appropriate consideration to this aspect will help ensure a successful product design.
Key aspects of personal-trainer app development
You might want to incorporate a few key features as you begin the development of a personal-trainer app. We'll explain how all or some of those features might improve your app, and we'll use other applications to illustrate the points we make.
User profile
Users should be able to create and customize a profile by adding a name and profile picture. Then, they enter the necessary information such as height, weight, age and health status. This will allow the app to offer suitable workouts and dietary guidelines, and users will be able to record their progress.
Training planner
Nike Training Club offers a variety of workouts ranging from fitness to yoga. Its training plan tool is among its best features. A user can simply type in their fitness goal, and the application will set up the most appropriate personal exercising schedule for several weeks.
Progress tracker
A good example of the modern progress tracker is a personal-trainer app developed by the famous coach Kayla Itsines. Kayla’s software offers a 12-week program of daily 28-minute workouts. The weekly photo-journal function lets you track your progress before and after.
Exercise/nutrition filter
Apart from exercising, it’s important to control your diet. Here comes the 8Fit application that offers both exercise routines and healthy meal suggestions. Its filter helps vegans and those who want gluten-free meals to select the most appropriate meal plans.
Diet plan
A customizable diet plan is essential for a well-designed personal-trainer app. It helps the user plan a diet that matches his or her needs and goals. The plan can also be adjusted to accommodate a budget and food preferences.
Wearables sync
Bracelets, pulsometers and other fitness wearables are extremely popular these days, thanks to synchronization features that link with other mobile devices. With a wearable, the user can track his or her progress, record the results and get the most out of a fitness app.
Custom playlists
The GPS-enabled CardioTrainer app tracks a wide range of exercise activities and provides real-time voice feedback. An added benefit of this software tool is that it lets the user create a custom music playlist with auto-pause playback.
Personalized fitness programs
Among the best features of the GAIN fitness app is that it offers various personalized fitness programs, which range from yoga to strength training. The program, which is supported by images and voice commands, offers a personalized progress tracker.
Level tests
A good example is the STAT app, which offers fitness-level evaluation tests to determine the right set of exercises to reach particular fitness goals. After several weeks of training, it’s possible to do another level test and identify the right set of exercises for the coming week.
These features may vary according to the type of application, but their common purpose is to make an online personal-trainer app more interactive and fun. They may also include live sessions with coaches and dietitians as well as special music playlists for particular fitness routines.
Remember that your overall project cost will increase as you add features. So, if you have a tight budget, it’s better to start with the basic functionality. Moreover, a high level of personalization means your user's data will be used more extensively. Be sure to consider the aspects of data safety throughout your development process.
How to make an online personal-trainer app
Use the following basic strategy when you build personal-trainer app:
- Research your market opportunities: Playing sports sounds like a good idea. Perhaps you'll become passionate about one or more particular workouts and get inspired to start creating an app! Once you decide what kind of fitness application you want to create, analyze the market and perform a competitive analysis.
- List and define your features: To create a personal-trainer app, think of the features it should have. However, don’t get too far ahead and make sure that those features are compatible with the application’s functionality. Imagine being the first independent user of your software!
- Set up a budget and find a reliable software developer: The cost of a quality personal-trainer app is dependent on the features you want to include, so make sure that you talk to several software developers before making the final choice.
- Be proactive: Once you select the developer, get a detailed breakdown of your budget and take an active role part in planning the development. Remember, a good customer is half the success!
- Release: Check the app's readiness and then let your developers publish it. Once it appears in the app store, keep track of your product’s metrics and think about the promotion strategy. In many cases, marketing and promotion activities will require further investment.
- Monitor feedback: Once your product is downloaded by users, monitor the feedback you get and regularly update it with new features. Ultimately, the demo version of your app will be modified to suit your users' preferences.
How to earn money with your fitness-trainer app
Fitness software can readily be monetized, and there are many ways to do so. Ads, subscription plans and in-app purchases are among the most frequently used methods. Also, it can make revenue out of integrated e-commerce. These strategies can be applied to any app, so don't limit them to the fitness segment alone.
More specific methods of monetization in fitness include referral programs, cashback or royalty programs that will play a big role in marketing. Another way to earn money is to sponsor health-related products such as fitness equipment and food supplements.
The cost of building a personal-trainer application
The definite cost will depend on several factors, such as the project’s specifications and the hourly rate of your team. Still, we can give an approximation of how much time and money you could spend on such development:
- Specifications, wireframes, and prototypes: 40 hours
- UI/UX: 60 hours
- Front end and back end: 400 hours
- QA: 80 hours
- Post-launch bug fixes and updating: 40 hours
A perfect personal-trainer app with basic functionality will cost approximately $15,000 to $30,000 for a single platform. A cross-platform app can cost up to $50,000.
Our experience
We recently worked on Racefully, a GPS-enabled activity tracker for long-distance marathons available in the App Store. Racefully tracks your running/walking/jumping performance in real time and also provides a comparison with other participants. For example, Mary from Seattle and Bridget from Chicago can compete in real time to see who runs 1 km per hour faster. Racefully incorporates the features of the runner's terrain, and with the completion of the course it provides an accurate comparison of the results.
Final thoughts
The booming fitness industry has attracted investment in the billions of dollars. Instead of going to the gym or hiring professional dieticians, many people prefer using personal-trainer applications. Despite the abundance of these products on the market, there is still room for market growth due to a wide range of app types.
If you would like to create a personal-trainer application, then carefully study the market and think about the functionality and benefits of your upcoming product. A good idea for a start-up would be launching a product in a small or relatively unknown niche to avoid big-name competition and increase the chances of success. To make a long story short, be creative and take some inspiration from the world of sports. Of course, feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We'll be happy to help with your effort.
