Accedo
2018 (6 weeks)
Bringing the benefits of group fitness direct to the gym floor.
Senior UX Designer
21" Android touchscreen
Challenge
Les Mills, a global leader in group fitness, aimed to extend their immersive workout experiences to both gym owners and individual fitness enthusiasts. The goal was to create a dedicated app featuring their extensive video catalog of fitness classes. The app would run on a 21" Android touchscreen mounted to the front of a Stages exercycle, enabling seamless access to group fitness sessions in gyms or at home.
For gym owners, the app needed to enhance the appeal of their facilities by offering a premium, tech-enabled experience. For home users, it had to replicate the high-energy environment of a group fitness class in a solo setting.
Approach
As one of two UX designers at Accedo, I worked closely with the Les Mills product team in an agile development environment to ensure the app met the unique needs of both audiences. Key activities included:
User-Centered Research: Gathering insights from gym operators and individual users to identify their specific requirements and pain points.
Tailored User Journeys: Designing workflows that catered to gym environments (quick setup and multi-user scenarios) and home users (personalized navigation and streamlined access).
Wireframing & Prototyping: Developing intuitive layouts and flows for navigating the extensive video catalog.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working closely with developers and stakeholders to deliver a polished, responsive experience optimized for the 21" Android touchscreen.
Solution
The app was designed to cater to both user groups:
For Gym Owners:
An interface that allowed for quick onboarding and multi-user support, enabling smooth transitions between exercycle users.
A reliable system designed to enhance gym offerings, making fitness facilities more attractive to members.
For Home Users:
A user-friendly experience that provided easy access to a range of Les Mills classes, categorized by intensity, duration, and type.
An immersive design that recreated the energy of group workouts in a solo environment.
Key Features
Streamlined Class Navigation: A robust catalog of classes with intuitive filters for ease of access.
Bluetooth connectivity: Connect headphones or heart rate monitors quickly.
Performance metrics: See key metrics for Cadence, Output and Heart Rate as you ride.
Engaging User Interface: Optimized for the 21" screen, with vibrant visuals and motivational cues to keep users engaged during workouts.
“The Les Mills Virtual Bikes have been a great addition that elevate our gym facilities at The Savoy. They are very popular with our guests and feedback has been positive.”
The Savoy Hotel, London
“Members get quick but powerful workouts done on their own time. They can hop on and don’t worry about making a scheduled class.”
Dicks Sporting Goods
Impact
The Les Mills app became a valuable tool for gym owners looking to differentiate their facilities through innovative technology, while also empowering home users to stay motivated and connected to the Les Mills fitness experience. The solution enhanced the accessibility and appeal of group fitness, generating positive feedback from gyms and individual users alike.