SPEC CASE STUDY

gymcity - outdoor workout iphone app

A fitness app allowing users to work out in outdoor public spaces using trainer-sourced workouts.

Role:

UX Designer

Duration:

4 weeks

TOOLS

Sketch, Proto.io, Lookback

platform:

iOS

Problem

With the closure of gyms, the pandemic limited people’s fitness options. GymCity addresses the need for equipment-free workouts, and for doing them outside as users are increasingly confined to their homes.

Goal

These were the guiding objectives before any user research.

  • Offer trainer-led, equipment-free workouts in nearby outdoor spots.
  • Build social accountability through challenges and friend updates.
  • Let busy users filter by time, location, and workout type in seconds.

Research insights

5 interviews with gym-goers turned home exercisers revealed:

  • Expert guidance is non-negotiable.
    YouTube “follow-alongs” beat ad-hoc routines.
  • Accountability > camaraderie
    Four of five value motivation more than socialising.
  • Most workouts already happen outside or need minimal gear.
  • Time drives adoption
    quick access, short sessions, progress tracking keep people on plan.Four of five value motivation more than socialising.

Design

I aimed for a map-first mobile flow that shows nearby workouts, social nudges, and quick progress checks without heavy onboarding.

Early flow mapping ensured GymCity covered the five needs surfaced in research:

  • Social accountability
  • Community interaction
  • Progress tracking
  • Challenges
  • Trainer transparency

Key Screens

Home (map view)

Workout map with pins across Los Angeles and selected workout card below.

Browse trainer-authored workouts by location; filter by time and intensity.

Workout details

Route map for Pan Pacific HIIT workout with list of stations and gear.

Clear steps, minimal gear list, start button triggers session timer.

Challenge hub

Mobile screen showing a challenge list with join buttons, progress, and number of participants.

Join challenges to gamify progress and boost accountability.

History & stats

Calendar view with selected workout showing time, reps, and personal bests.

Glanceable streaks and personal bests keep momentum high.

Design Trade-offs
  • Map-first browse vs list view
    Map chosen so location benefit is visible at launch.
  • Friend updates vs full history feed
    ‍    Opted for push updates only; private logs prevent data-sharing concerns.

Testing

Five remote Lookback sessions covered onboarding, filtering, workout start, challenge join, and stats lookup.
Key fixes:

  • Moved filters to Home only (onboarding no longer points to Profile).
  • Limited friend visibility to single workout alerts; removed full history feed.
  • Adjusted swipe regions in the prototype to avoid gesture traps.

All five users then completed every task without confusion.

Lessons

  • Location-first design isn’t just a UI choice — it’s a trust signal.
    Users don’t want to scroll past generic routines to discover that they’re nowhere near them. Leading with a map reframes the product around what’s actionable now, not just what’s available.‍
  • Social features should motivate, not pressure.
    People liked the idea of friend updates, but full history feeds crossed a line. Designing for accountability meant finding the right nudge — like challenge progress and one-off alerts — without turning workouts into performance theater.‍
  • Speed-to-start is critical when motivation is fragile.
    Even users who wanted to work out would bail if the setup was too slow. Every interaction — filters, gear checks, route previews — had to reinforce immediacy and remove reasons to delay.