Peak is a mobile application designed to facilitate users in attaining their fitness objectives while concurrently fostering their mental well-being. Positioned as a comprehensive tool for promoting an active and healthy lifestyle, Peak integrates features aimed at cultivating a positive psychological state throughout users' fitness endeavors. This dual emphasis not only enhances users' overall lifestyle but also enriches their engagement with the application.
As the sole UI/UX designer on this project, I spearheaded all aspects of research and design, encompassing comprehensive user research and the creation of all design elements
Regular physical activity has emerged as a potent tool in promoting mental well-being. Studies indicate a robust correlation between exercise and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, with up to a 47% decrease reported in individuals engaging in consistent exercise routines. This positive impact is attributed to various physiological mechanisms, including the release of mood-enhancing endorphins and the reduction of stress hormones like cortisol.
It's essential to approach fitness with a balanced mindset to avoid potential negative consequences. Overtraining, body image concerns, and the pressure to perform can lead to burnout, injury, and increased risk of developing eating disorders. Furthermore, societal pressures and the prevalence of comparison culture, especially exacerbated by social media, can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
In examining existing fitness apps, it's evident that they often overlook the mental health aspect of users' fitness journeys. This neglect can cause the issues listed above and to create a truly positive experience for users they must be addressed. Additionally, the customization options are often limited, leaving users without personalized guidance for their fitness journey. There's a clear need for a fitness app that prioritizes mental well-being alongside physical health, offering tailored support and inclusive access to resources to promote a positive user experience
Peak aims to prioritize mental health alongside physical fitness by integrating personalized exercise plans with mental health checklists. The goal is to encourage users to cultivate a balanced approach to well-being, addressing both physical and mental aspects of health.
Peak seeks to provide top-of-the-line exercise plans tailored to individual needs and goals. By utilizing user feedback from weekly mental health checklists, the application adjusts exercise recommendations to accommodate fluctuations in mental well-being, ensuring that workouts are both effective and supportive of mental health.
Peak strives to empower users to take charge of their mental health journey by providing resources, guidance, and support.
I then moved on to user flows and mapping out the the route users would take to navigate the application.
I then moved on to user flows and mapping out the the route users would take to navigate the application. Once I had a good feel for how users would navigate through the app I began to sketch each page, trying to come up with as many new ideas for each iteration of the sketches.
Although the first prototype did include some customization options, most of the exercise editing came from the app itself, based on the results of the weekly check-in.
This options ensures that users are always in control of what they’re doing and able to adjust as they need.
Using a better layout for the activity tracker in the app allows the user to better understand where they are in comparison to their goals and help them better accomplish them.
Once I was happy with the changes made from the feedback of the usability study, I continued on to create my mock-ups and high fidelity prototype. During this process I really wanted to make sure to highlight what makes this app different from other fitness apps: the focus on promoting positive mental health.
We started this goal by incorporating positive messaging along with rewards for completing sessions and hitting goals. Users can earn badges throughout their fitness journey.
In future iterations there may even be ways to compete with friends or even actual gifts sent to the user.
By incorporating short, weekly check-ins we can change a users fitness plan to one that helps them avoid problem areas physically and adjust to how they’re feeling mentally.
This could include skipping workouts, lowering training intensity, and adding certain meditation or breathing exercises.
Using the weekly check-in, breathing exercises, meditation, and even rest days are recommended to ensure the user is never overwhelmed and has the best opportunity to have a healthy mindset throughout their fitness journey.
Designing the Peak app was a rewarding journey that deepened my understanding of user-centric design, iterative testing, and collaboration. Through this project, I learned the importance of empathizing with users' specific needs and motivations. By crafting user personas and scenarios, I was able to design solutions that aligned with real-world goals and challenges.
I also honed my skills in conducting competitive audits, which helped me identify unique opportunities for Peak to stand out in a crowded market. This process underscored how critical it is to understand the strengths and weaknesses of similar products, allowing me to build on established conventions while introducing fresh, engaging features.
One of the biggest takeaways from this project was the value of rapid prototyping and user testing. Early feedback from users revealed insights that weren't immediately apparent in the initial stages, helping to steer the app’s design in a more user-friendly direction. Through multiple iterations, I learned how small changes—like adjusting layout or button placement—could significantly improve the user experience and engagement.
Lastly, this project emphasized the importance of clear, consistent communication within a cross-functional team. Working closely with developers and stakeholders taught me how to bridge the gap between design vision and technical feasibility, resulting in a product that is both intuitive and feasible to build.
Overall, this experience has equipped me with a more holistic approach to UX design, from initial research and ideation to execution and testing. I look forward to applying these insights to future projects and further refining my ability to create impactful digital experiences.
