Mobile App (Speculative Project)
Figma, Otter.ai, Whimsical, Notion
Adding a Social Feature to TrueCoach
Overview
TrueCoach is a training software that trainers and coaches user to send their clients their training programs. Trainers can work with clients 1-on-1 or with larger groups. TrueCoach is commited to helping trainers save time, provide a better user experience for their clients, and grow their training businesses.
Challenge
For my project, I needed to add a feature to improve the current app’s user experience. From my research findings, trainers expressed a need for community building through their online training. Clients and trainers both wanted to move away from using Facebook groups which is the most common platform currently being used.
Solution
Through many steps, I designed a social platform built into the app to help trainers build community with their clients. Trainers and clients can upload videos, links, resources, and more to interact with each other and build meaningful relationships. Trainers can also hold virtual events where clients can RSVP and see their new friends safely from their own homes.
**This was a speculative project and is not affiliated with TrueCoach.
Through many steps, I designed a social platform built into the app to help trainers build community with their clients. Trainers and clients can upload videos, links, resources, and more to interact with each other and build meaningful relationships. Trainers can also hold virtual events where clients can RSVP and see their new friends safely from their own homes.
**This was a speculative project and is not affiliated with TrueCoach.
Final Wireframes
Discovery
To gain more perspectives within the fitness training software industry, I completed market research, user interviews, surveys, and did a competitive analysis. I also wanted to find out how the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the personal training Industry.
TrueCoach saw a 300% increase in users for their app after the pandemic started.
Trainers had to shift quickly to online training as many of their cities had to go on lockdown. The online training industry has been popular for many trainers and clients, but with the pandemic, online training became some trainers only option.
I wanted to find out what trainers and clients needed out of their current training app. Most of these apps make it easy for trainers to send their 4-12 week programs to their clients.
As a trainer myself, I know that building habits is a huge part of health and fitness, and also having a community of lifting friends. I took initiative to find out what would be beneficial to add to TrueCoach.
To gain more perspectives within the fitness training software industry, I completed market research, user interviews, surveys, and did a competitive analysis. I also wanted to find out how the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the personal training Industry.
TrueCoach saw a 300% increase in users for their app after the pandemic started.
Trainers had to shift quickly to online training as many of their cities had to go on lockdown. The online training industry has been popular for many trainers and clients, but with the pandemic, online training became some trainers only option.
I wanted to find out what trainers and clients needed out of their current training app. Most of these apps make it easy for trainers to send their 4-12 week programs to their clients.
As a trainer myself, I know that building habits is a huge part of health and fitness, and also having a community of lifting friends. I took initiative to find out what would be beneficial to add to TrueCoach.
User Interviews
What are the current training software experiences for trainers and clients?
I conducted 7 interviews over Zoom.
What are the current training software experiences for trainers and clients?
I conducted 7 interviews over Zoom.
Research Insights and Next Steps
Through my 7 online interviews, I learned that TrueCoach is very simple and intuitive, and a client mentioned her “father could definitely use this app.” Trainers liked the customization on the app, although they did mention nutrition coaching can be improved on TrueCoach.
Because of the time frame of this project, I decided to choose one. From my trainer user interviews, all of the trainers already had a good system with working on habits with their clients, and expressed more interest in a social platform built in. Therefore, I chose to focus on the social feature because it would help trainers build more community which is more important than ever during the pandemic.
One problem that client and trainer users faced was how to build community together during these tough times. Due to the pandemic, people weren’t going to their usual gyms and social gatherings. Many trainers utilize Facebook Groups to grow their community, and use it for answering questions, helping clients with their exercise form in videos. Through my research, I found that many trainers and clients did not want to use Facebook anymore for numerous reasons, such as distrust for Facebook and how easily distracted users can get on it.
From searching multiple Facebook fitness training groups that I’m in, I found that many clients only use Facebook for those specific groups, or they made new accounts and only utilize the groups. Additionally, trainers were in search of other group communication platforms.
Through my 7 online interviews, I learned that TrueCoach is very simple and intuitive, and a client mentioned her “father could definitely use this app.” Trainers liked the customization on the app, although they did mention nutrition coaching can be improved on TrueCoach.
Because of the time frame of this project, I decided to choose one. From my trainer user interviews, all of the trainers already had a good system with working on habits with their clients, and expressed more interest in a social platform built in. Therefore, I chose to focus on the social feature because it would help trainers build more community which is more important than ever during the pandemic.
One problem that client and trainer users faced was how to build community together during these tough times. Due to the pandemic, people weren’t going to their usual gyms and social gatherings. Many trainers utilize Facebook Groups to grow their community, and use it for answering questions, helping clients with their exercise form in videos. Through my research, I found that many trainers and clients did not want to use Facebook anymore for numerous reasons, such as distrust for Facebook and how easily distracted users can get on it.
From searching multiple Facebook fitness training groups that I’m in, I found that many clients only use Facebook for those specific groups, or they made new accounts and only utilize the groups. Additionally, trainers were in search of other group communication platforms.
Conceptualize
How can I seamlessly add in our feature to the existing TrueCoach app?
For the TrueCoach Site Map or App Map, I created it including the habit tracking feature, since I believe it would add a lot of value for clients and trainers. For this project, I’m still focusing only on the social platform feature.
How can I seamlessly add in our feature to the existing TrueCoach app?
For the TrueCoach Site Map or App Map, I created it including the habit tracking feature, since I believe it would add a lot of value for clients and trainers. For this project, I’m still focusing only on the social platform feature.
What is Randall's current and future journey using TrueCoach?
Here is Randall, who is completing a task before the social platform exists and then completing the task after the social feature is available. Because I don’t have access to TrueCoach as a trainer, I decided to focus on the client perspective while still focusing on the trainer’s wants and needs. As you can see, Randall had to go to 2 extra apps to complete his task before adding the social platform. Using Facebook can lead to a lot of wasted time which can result in a negative feeling. With everything Randall needs within the TrueCoach app, he can complete his task efficiently and move on with his day with satisfaction.
Design
I started out with some initial sketches. I wanted to go with something that was familiar to other social feeds so that the learning curve is not too big. I thought about how can we take the positives from leading apps and eliminate the clutter, distractions, and negativity from them.
Designing TrueCoach's New Social Feature
Since I was adding a new feature into an existing app, I wanted to stay within the design system. TrueCoach has a very simple design, so I kept the styles the same. I decided to call the social feature name “Connect” because its where a trainers and their clients will connect and become friends. To keep the same design style, we kept the rounded corners and made sure the icons looked similar. We used the same colors, shapes, and design patters, while creating a few more patterns you will see in the UI kit.
I conducted usability tests with 5 users through Zoom and utilized Otter.ai to transcribe the conversations. I took note of their observations, feedback, expressions, and questions. I wanted to know how they felt about the flow, if the tasks were easy or challenging to complete, if the design matched the existing app, and any feedback they have.
User Testing
What are the common patterns from the user tests?
I created an affinity map in Whimsical to organize every note from each user. Some statements that stood out:
“Overall, this looks like a pretty typical newsfeed feature to me.”
“That was super easy, it opened my camera, really nice and easy and I was able to cut the film without a problem.”
“One thing I was also expecting was once I reacted to it, since I put the smiley I was expecting some feedback on the smiley to tell me you’ve already reacted to this.”
One thing I was worried about was if the users would be able to find the Events page. Everyone was able to check the hamburger menu once they learned it wasn’t on the tags on the top of the Connect page.I received a lot of positive feedback and very helpful suggestions as well. I asked each user to rate how easy the tasks were, and if they would use Connect over other social media platforms and they all said 9 or 10 out of 10 the tasks were easy and they would definitely use this.Every user stated they would rather stay within the app instead of using an outside app.
Next steps from User Testing
Improve some of the confusing copy (Ex. “Edit” to “Next”)
Improve the feedback for the emoji’s and chat icon for when users click on it
Add optional checkboxes after the event confirmation
Move the Channel Tag and add an 3 dot option icon on the posts
Iterations after User Testing
Reflection
After completing this project, I learned that I can improve on my research questions; after learning from users if they value a habit tracking or social platform feature, I could have asked what specifically would that have wanted on these features. If I had more time, I would have loved to work on the habit tracking feature in addition to expanding on the event page in Connect.
As a personal trainer and after speaking to multiple trainers and coaches, I know that habit building and community building are huge parts of someone’s health and fitness journey. Especially now with the pandemic still affecting many people’s lives, staying connected with others is quite important, and sticking with specific habits can be very beneficial as well. With hosting virtual events where users can see familiar faces, and working on building up healthier habits, I am confident that these training app users will be more satisfied with the experience.
