How to Build a Fitness App Step-by-Step: MVP, Extra Features, and Costs

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Fitness apps are becoming increasingly popular. Wellness app development is on the rise, as well. These solutions allow you to monitor your activity, weight, and calories burned. You can incorporate game and competition elements into the training process.

On the one hand, the fitness app market is expanding; on the other hand, the cost of user engagement is rising, and you must ensure the project is profitable.

This article will explain how to create a good fitness app, break down the costs, and characterize a successful fitness app and its features.

Are Fitness Apps Profitable?

The pandemic has changed the world. People now realize that health is a priority and needs to be given attention daily. However, even without a pandemic, the fitness app gives users plenty of bonuses, unlike a gym membership or a fitness trainer.

Statista says the number of fitness app users in the USA is growing. In 2022 it was almost 86.3 million users.

Fitness apps have become a successful solution, with almost 100% of investments paying off due to the constant growth of the fitness community.

This is due to several factors. Sports and fitness have long been more than just a fad, as almost everyone wants to stay fit and explores all kinds of possibilities and methods.

The most common problems that fitness apps solve for their users are:

• Irregular dietary patterns due to a variety of factors (workload, long-term active or passive rest, stress);
• Inadequate nutrition and fitness knowledge;
• Failure to calculate weights load, which can lead to health issues;
• Inability to participate in training with the instructor

Users of fitness apps can create a personal training program, select the appropriate exercises, control weight, and visualize how to perform exercises correctly.

What Type of Fitness App to Choose?

All fitness applications differ not only by types of monetization from each other in functionality, specialization in sports, activity tracking, a form of motivation, etc. This is why they are divided into groups for ease of classification and user selection.

The type should be defined before fitness app development, as it will determine the application’s functionality and potential users.

Fitness-Tracking Apps. People increasingly buy smart devices: Apple Watch, Xiaomi Mi Band, and Smart Watch. With their help, the user measures the number of steps, the pulse, and even the stress level per day.

You need to think ahead of time about the development potential of fitness applications and add synchronization with wearable devices – users will appreciate it. The audience for such apps is much broader than the audience for training apps because they can be used by both professional athletes and those who do not go to the gym and do not enjoy sports.

Workout Fitness Apps. Both highly specialized Runtastic-type applications track only one particular sport or one specific direction of impact (the same Runtastic controls only cardio: walking, running, biking), and «all-in-one» which will allow you to choose from a wide range of sports.

Social Fitness Apps let you compete with a friend, local athletes, or people from all over the world, with the social aspect making working out much more enjoyable.

Competitive Fitness Apps are very much like social fitness apps but these take the challenge up a notch by letting you create your own teams and introducing a leaderboard.

Altruistic Fitness Apps – for every mile you complete in these applications, founders will make a donation to the charitable organization of your choice.

Sometimes fitness apps can combine a few types. An excellent example of such an app is BodyO App which combines tracking and matching nutrition protocols, built-in training programs, and sleep measurement.

This fitness app will be helpful for a wide range of users, so it has the potential to reach better profitability.

Best Ways to Monetize Your App

Fitness applications are easy to monetize due to increased social activity, promotions, and motivational content.

A well-thought-out strategy enables you to create a mobile application and make money off it—monetize your app—while considering market development prospects.

According to Gartner predictions, only 0.01% of the current applications will be profitable in the years to come. Each App Store and Google Play store already has more than a million apps; free apps account for 94.5% of downloads, and these numbers will increase in the upcoming years.

Let’s examine business models for monetization.

• Freemium design
• Trial-access
• Model Ads for Sponsorship and Partnership
• High-end Model

Freemium

PRO

Allows for multiple revenue streams for mobile apps (advertising to free users and paid upgrades, for example).

CON

Typically takes longer for business to become profitable.

Use it When

You have a large, active user base and can deliver an engaging user experience to both free and paid users.

The business model involves creating a free application with the ability to buy additional paid features. For example, a user can communicate with other app users free of charge via chat or voice.

Ads

PRO

Can offer your app for free, meaning more downloads and a larger user base.

CON

Can interrupt the user experience if they don’t organically fit into the app.

Use it When

You can collect rich demographic and behavioral user data and the nature of your app means lots of users, frequent visits, and longer sessions.

If you make a massive app, you can consider taking advertising earnings into account. You will need tens or even hundreds of thousands of users. Apps with low usage will not generate enough revenue from advertising.

• Use advertising networks or mediators if you don’t have a sales department for advertising. Every area has its preferred solutions.
• When you receive payment from the advertiser for user activity, it’s called a CPA model (cost per action).
• Placing banners and advertising inserts within the application is another way to generate revenue through advertising.

Trial-access

Trial gives users access to all features, but only for a limited time, typically between 7 and 30 days. Trial access is thought to be educational. After considering its potential, the user must choose whether to pay or reject the application. Software sales are increased by many times using this common marketing strategy.

Subscription Model

PRO

Can attract a large number of free users and hook them on app before converting to paid.

CON

Can be difficult to determine how much content to offer for free before requiring a subscription.

Use it When

You have a content app (news, media, and entertainment apps) that encourages frequent use.

The method involves a regular subscription fee for access to the features of the training programs. The model will work if the service is helpful and the resources are attractive to the subscriber. To be successful, it is essential to determine the optimal subscription cost.

Premium Model

PRO

Revenue is tied directly to downloads.

CON

Average Customer Lifetime Velue tends to be lower than other mobile app monetization models.

Use it When

Your app is obviously better than any free alternatives and has glowing user reviews.

The user can access the basic functionality after downloading the application for free. Owners suggestion is to pay a monthly premium access fee for additional opportunities. The application continues to operate in the mode of essential functions without payment.

This monetization strategy assumes that, after paying, the user will have access to all of an application’s features. For instance, a pedometer app might provide comprehensive fitness applications and professional advice, such as extended workouts, customized diets, personal trainer recommendations, and various video exercises.

Creating a fitness app is a complex and multi-stage process. If you want to build your fitness app, you can hire dedicated team with experience in fitness app development.

Sponsorship and Partnership Model

PRO

An effective way to improve or expand the services you provide users, as well as top into larger markets.

CON

If the partnership isn’t a good match or well executed, it can confuse or annoy current users.

Use it When

You have a large user base and have identified a partnership that delivers real, unique value to your users.

One of the newest monetization methods assumes that the app sponsors advertisers will reward certain users’ actions.

What Should a Fitness App Include?

To help you choose which features your fitness app to include, we have compiled a list of basic fitness features that will allow you to become a serious competitor for the already famous Nike Training Club or Runtastic.

Logging

Enable login via popular sources such as email, social networking, and phone number for more convenient user interaction with the application.

User Profile

Users should be able to save information about their health and body condition from the first training day.

Activity Tracker

Adds the ability to set goals so users can see progress. Goals are about competing with yourself. Striving to become better every day needs to be encouraged. Make sure that for each new record or completed goal the status of the user is increased, or they receive virtual or real prizes.

Filters

Allow users to choose a workout plan that suits their needs and allows to find the right workouts quickly. The search options can be different – it may be a filter based on the duration of the exercise, the level of training required, the type of load, or the focus on a particular group of muscles.

Gamification

Progress indicators and leaderboards are powerful motivators. The ability to compete with each other even at home boosts performance. Nike Run Club has an excellent option – you can share a goal with your friends. Choose a distance, date, invite friends, and whoever does the best gets a gold medal.

Push Notifications

Those with difficulty scheduling the day will appreciate the custom push notification system. The most common problem with sports is a lack of enthusiasm. Lousy weather, laziness, chores – all this is a reason to refuse exercise or diet. Notifications will help users to remember about the training.

Health Monitoring

Everyone wants to monitor health problems, and such extra function can make your fitness app unique and more successful among the users. Fitness watches can be used as heart rate monitors, though not the most accurate ones at times.

Geolocation

This fitness application feature allows users to create numerous walking, running, and cycling routes. It also helps in viewing and tracking the distance when runners or cyclists use the map provided by the software.

Personal Mentor

Guidance of a highly qualified specialist always helps in sports, so users will appreciate it if your fitness app has access to expert advice. Consider adding online tutor-supervised training – you can hire a specialist to help your users create a training program, teach tracking progress, and set the right direction for physical development.

Chat

Add the ability to share results – so users’ motivation will grow. When no one knows about your workouts, you may reduce the workload or miss the training. But if friend learns about it, there is an additional motivating factor.Friends encourage users to exercise and add their successes to the app regularly!

Read an in-depth article on developing chatbots for healthcare.

Synchronization with Wearable Devices

Most users have several devices that help them track physical activity during sports. Smart devices have become popular a few years ago, and today everyone tracks health metrics with their help.

The user who has a smartwatch most likely bought them for a reason – he will want to use them in training, therefore, will prefer an application that will work in conjunction with his device.

How to Prepare to Build a Fitness App?

Fitness app development requires preparation. Think about the technical assignment and analyze your audience.

The point of MVP development is to make sure that there is demand for the solution in a real audience and that it is worth investing in its implementation. So, it is essential to choose the core functionality and implement it in the most efficient way in terms of resource spending. Don`t strive to make the most user-friendly and sophisticated design here. The main idea is to get a workable solution and offer it to end users. Only if you can sell it to them, feel free to invest in adding extra functionality, upgrading the design, etc.

The budget for MVP development is estimated within the discovery phase when we define requirements for the future solution, determine the solution plan, technical team composition, and product features implementation based on the rates of experts involved. A client gets a detailed monthly report on project progress and precise calculations.

Anna Vozna

Client Success Manager, Glorium Technologies

Before you create a fitness app, check and follow the following steps. A good practice is to create an MVP first, and then add features and unfold it into a full-fledged product.

Targeting

Find out who will use your fitness app by identifying its target audience. Psychometric and demographic approaches can accurately segment audiences.

Demographics and statistics produce an average user portrait, and psychographics propose an application algorithm. These settings will show you how and why your potential users act.

These data can improve your app’s aesthetics, usability, and marketing. Create a personal portrait of your future client before and after using your app. To gather data, survey, and analyze competitors’ audiences. Your future fitness app will be better if you know more about its users.

Competitor Analysis

Marketing strategy requires competitor analysis.

Answer these about your competitors:

• What are their fitness applications’ features?
• User reviews?
• Fitness app competitors: perks and cons?

Mix functions, establish new mechanisms, and combine approaches to acquire a competitive edge. Use your competitors’ faults to create more popular and valuable fitness apps.

Fitness Apps’ Algorithms and Content

Fitness apps need workout guides. Algorithms need user data to forecast workouts based on calculated mathematical algorithms or behavior analysis.

Your app will need links to social media accounts – include these in your marketing strategy to build brand awareness.

The healthy-living content improves workout motivation. Exercise videos engage users, while social media sharing lets users show off their accomplishments and promotes your software for free.

Technology Stack for Fitness App

Think about languages (it could be different for iOS and Android), databases, IDE, Web server, cloud storage, Social Authorization (Facebook SDK, Twitter SDK, Instagram SDK), and payment gateway. You need to hire competent and experienced developers for all this technology stack.

How to Hire a Company for Fitness Application Development?

If you hire a development team, take some time to learn as much as possible about potential employees:

• Look at their portfolio;
• Study their professional history;
• Review your terms of employment and expected time frame.

Another alternative is to outsource a development team or one developer. It will save you costs and time on resource management.

An in-house team takes many weeks to hire, and you must pay salaries, sick leave, insurance, pension contributions, and taxes. If the product brings no profit, taking on wages, rent, and taxes is dangerous for the wallet.

Developer outsourcing, from this point of view, is more predictable. If you outsource, you’ll have a detailed evaluation, timeline, and plan.

Even if you are far from IT, study your contractor before signing it. Then this time will pay off your calmness and high-quality work. There are various ways to check the company on reliability, but at least if you do not find your contractors at Clutch or Goodfirms, dealing with these people can be risky.

What to Look for When Hiring?

Your best bet is relevant experience and products like yours in the portfolio. It would be a great advantage if the contractor already has the competence and expertise in creating fitness apps. First, it shortens the working hours, and second, you do not have to explain how it should work.

How Much Does It Cost to Create a Fitness App MVP?

So how much does it cost to build a fitness app? The cost can vary greatly depending on many factors. Before diving deep into developing the detailed features, consider creating the MVP of your solution and testing your hypothesis on it.

How Can Glorium Technologies Help You?

• Plenty of experienced professionals. No need to look for dedicated developers in the labor market or train your staff. Developers from Glorium Technologies are ready to work. Also, saves you headaches down the way as you don’t need to fire excess employees.
• We take over the whole project. It includes a business process survey, development, and implementation of the app. A thorough process will help to achieve the best results in the shortest possible time.
• Various price models. We will find the best solution for you and settle the most convenient method of payment.

Questions You May Have