How to Create a Fitness App? – Development 2024

Want to create a fitness app, a fitness app is a smartphone application that helps people to keep track of their workouts and diets. While there were apps before the pandemic, they became more commonplace after COVID-19 spread across the world. According to a report published in 2024, the value of the fitness app market around the world was approximately US$19.33bn in 2024.

Moreover, the industry’s CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) is expected to grow at 21.6% between 2024 and 2028. As lockdowns became the new normal after the spread of COVID-19, people adapted to virtual fitness instead of traditional ways like gymnasiums. As people transitioned to virtual fitness, data revealed that usage and download of fitness apps increased during this period. The demand for healthcare app developers increased after covid 19. A 2020 article from the World Economic Forum states that the download of fitness apps grew by 46% around the world. In this article, we will explore how to create a fitness app.

Types of Fitness Apps

Amongst the earliest steps in fitness app development is choosing the type of application. Each of these types comes with features such as giving information on the topic, tracking the results, and motivating the users to continue working out and socializing with other people trying to be fit. The type of app depends on features. You might be interested to know about the best medical apps for patients and doctors.

Activity Tracking App

Under this type, the application keeps a record of the user’s physical activities throughout the day. With these apps the users can gain information about things like the calories burned, the distance and speed of the users’ run, stairs climbed, hours of sleep, number of steps, and many more.

Diet and Nutrition Apps

This type of application assists users to keep the track of things like food habits, body weight, and counting the number of calories burned or consumed. Some of these apps are also equipped with engaging features such as a slimming competition and scoreboards. Moreover, with these apps, users can also do things like collect recipes, set personal goals, and even create grocery lists. Here is a list of free intermittent fasting apps.

Workout Apps

The workout apps are amongst the popular types of fitness apps. They are known to provide access to a personal trainer on the user’s phone. Moreover, users have the option of choosing a trainer based on the level of physical training.

How to Make a Fitness App?

If you want to create a fitness app, you have to go through the following steps below just like during its development:

Step 1: Strategy for Fitness App Development

The fitness app industry despite the lockdowns was worth approximately 4.4 billion USD in 2020. So, this proves that there the health and fitness app development industry is one of the most profitable industries. But, it is to remember that making money in that industry involves certain important things such as:

• Determining the monetization
• Considering the basic features
• Hiring the development team

Apart from the aforementioned stages, the process of fitness and lifestyle app development involves the steps mentioned below:

1. Identify the market requirements

To create a fitness app, one of the first steps involves studying the fitness application market and determining the features of their application, which would ultimately, makes it stand out in the market. That can be done firstly by identifying the target audience for the app and research should be based on factors such as interests, age, average income, location and gender. Identification of buyers will also help to determine the model for monetization i.e. whether the application will have in-app advertisements or users will have to subscribe for the services.

2. Choose the Right Platform

Choosing the right platforms for the app for fitness is one of the most important steps in fitness app development. While fitness app development, fitness app developers have to choose if the application is compatible with both computers and smartphones. The ideal situation is that the application should work both on phones and computers.

3. Follow the compliances if needed

This step ensures that the fitness app developers strictly follow compliance regulations to effectively protect the health information of the users. To Develop a fitness app, fitness app developers can follow the following tips:

• Implementation of technical, administrative and physical safeguards, which would ensure the confidentiality of the user’s health information
• If the fitness app developers are using a service provider, i.e. a data storage vendors and hosting networks, they must ensure that the latter follow the guidelines
• Amongst the important guidelines is that a fitness app development company should collect only the information that is needed
• Secure and permanent disposal of data when it isn’t needed
• If the app uses push notifications, make it such that the messages don’t have sensitive information about the users’ health

Step 2: Design the social network App’s workflow

Hiring the best development team for a fitness app is one of the foremost steps. It involves stages like the one mentioned below:

1. Sketching

The sketch is one of the most preferred applications amongst fitness app developers for designing the icon design and the UI (User Interface). Apart from the physical look of the application, through sketch, the developers can also do things like:

• Creating the navigation bar
• Developing the smart layout
• Saving symbols

2. Wireframing

An app’s wireframe offers a clear view of the bare bones of the design, which includes things like the navigation system. One thing to keep in mind about application wireframes, especially those designed for phones is that they are important. While designing for the web, the fitness app developers can use a wide range of tactics without affecting the usability of the design, in mobile phones, the limited screen space can impose a limit on how the product can be used. To put it simply, wireframing provides a solid foundation to the app, where the developers can refine the application’s core functionalities.

3. Prototyping

A unique prototype designed by fitness app developers might help the application stand out in the eyes of mobile app investors, who are frequently met with a plethora of pitches for fitness apps. The step of prototyping gives the testers and the fitness app developers a glimpse into what the app looks like. Apart from that, a prototype also makes the app more physically real for investors.

4. Design App Skins

In this stage, the fitness app developers design the individual screens dubbed “skins” for the application. In this process, the designing team creates both the user interface (UI) and the User experience (UX) screens. The end products are a high-resolution format of the prototype, which will be developed with the help of wireframe tools.

Step 3: Development & Quality Assurance for iOS and Android

Upon the completion of the app skins, an app goes through another round of testing. Quality assurance helps fitness app developers in identifying defects like crashes, bugs, and missing features. Hire certified android app developers for development and quality assurance.

1. Front end development

In the sector of mobile applications, front-end development focuses on the client side of development. A front-end developer is responsible for features such as look and ultimately the design of the app. A front developer is engaged in functions such as ensuring a seamless user experience, designing, analyzing code, and debugging applications.

2. Back end of Fitness Trainer App Development

It refers to the server-side of development i.e. the fitness app developers are focused on monitoring how the app works. Back-end developers of an app focus on servers and databases, components that are not accessible to the clients.

3. Quality Check and Testing of Workout Exercise App Development

The QA (Quality Assurance) test is the process that ensures that the application is of the highest possible quality. This process assists developers in the identification and resolution of defects such as missing features, bugs and crashes. There are two types of QA testing namely manual testing and automated testing. Under manual testing, a developer has to check the functioning of an app without using any automated tool. On the other hand, under automated testing, a developer has to check the functioning of an app with the help of an automation tool.

Features to Create a Fitness App

As stated earlier, fitness app development companies are expected to grow by approximately 21.6% between 2024 and 2028. These apps for fitness are known for bringing the best health guidelines and exercise and diet plans to the palm of your hand. Here are some of the salient features of a fitness application:

General Features to Develop Fitness App

• The Fitness App Development Company Provides Customized Diet Plans – In today’s world, apps for fitness are similar to a personal trainer in the gymnasium. One of the salient features a fitness app should include is customized diet plans. The application should help users in choosing favorite recipes and also assist them in the creation of diet plans that suits their bodies.
• The Fitness App Development Company also Promises Goals and Tracker – Incorporation of Goals and Tracker is one of the most important features on the app for fitness. The goals and tacker features help the user to monitor their workout. This feature helps the user to keep track of calories burnt during exercise and the number of steps recorded throughout the day.

Admin Features to Create Fitness App

• Push Notifications – Push notifications would help people to remind them to update the data of their workout sessions. This feature ensures that people will update the information of their latest workout session to the application after it sends a simple popup message.

User Panel Feature

• Social Sharing – Social sharing is a feature that enables users to compete with their friends and family members to complete difficult activities. This feature enables users to connect with others who also enjoy exercising and love to share the outcome of the routine.

Advanced Feature to Develop a Fitness App

• Gamification – This feature is a great way that would help users in forming healthy habits. With this feature, users can add fun activities to the app, which will ultimately make it more engaging. Components such as badges, progress bar, rewards and leaderboards will boost user engagement in the fitness application.

Fitness App Development Cost- Country Wise

One of the first questions when it comes to fitness app development is the cost behind creating it. Owners of a fitness app development company usually create apps for fitness either by hiring professionals or by developing the application themselves. Other than the method of creating, the cost of developing a fitness app comes down to the following factors:

• The purpose and functionality: Meaning ascertaining what the application does for its users.
• Use of smartphone hardware features: Determining whether the app will use other smartphone facilities such as NFC technology, motion co-processor, GPS navigation and other features that are found in tablets and smartphones.
• Maintenance plan: Formulating plans for the smooth functioning of the application after the completion of the project is one of the important factors.
• Use of visual objects: The user interface inside the application has a significant impact on fitness app development costs.
• Mobile platforms and devices supported: Determining whether the app will be available on both mobile phone platforms such as android and iOS. Apart from ascertaining the platform, fitness app, developers should also decide what specific device the application would support.

Fitness App Development Cost in the USA

As the industry is expected to grow between 2024 and 2028, it is prudent for young entrepreneurs to Develop a fitness app. While the fitness app development cost depends on the factors mentioned above, the data below lists out the current rate:

Fitness App Development Cost in India

India is not behind the USA when it comes to developing apps for fitness and if the current user status is to go by, the industry is only expected to grow. The data about Fitness app development costs in India are listed below:

Fitness App Development Cost in the UK

Digitization like a lot of other industries has dramatically revolutionized the healthcare industry in the way of obtaining information and its absorption.

Cost to Make a Fitness App in Australia

To create a fitness app, fitness app developers in Australia have to pay somewhere between $666, 67 and $333, 337. However, fitness app developers should keep in mind that ultimately the exact cost is dependent on factors like the type of the application, platforms, features and many more. Listed below is the cost of health and fitness app development in Australia.

Cost to Develop a Fitness App in UAE

The fitness app industry is experiencing growth the sector is expected to reach approximately 2203800000 Dirham. Moreover, the online fitness market is expected to contribute approximately 134064500 Dirham. Listed below are the costs involved in fitness app development in UAE:

5 Best Fitness Apps in 2024

While smartphones are generally used for not-so-serious activities such as browsing, chatting and entertainment, those are not the only functions they can perform. They can also serve as a tool that can be used by users to keep the track of their fitness goals. To facilitate the said purposes here are some of the popular fitness applications that you can install on your smartphones or Apple iPhones:

1. MyFitnessPal

Free to use and download MyFitnessPal is available in both Google Play and iOS. It is an easy-to-use tool that provides users with a library of workouts. Apart from that, it also facilitates connection with numerous applications. Here are some of the features:

MyFitnessPal Features

• Facilitates the logging of workout sessions and food intake.
• It has a library of more than 350 types of exercises.
• Users can also share their achievements with friends.
• Through this app, one can track their fitness activities and calorie intake.

2. Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer

Compatible with Android and iOS platforms, Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer promises access to a wide range of exercises and workout routines. It has struck a chord with budget-conscious fitness fans through features such as:

Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer Features

• A timer to let the user know the duration of their workout.
• On-screen instructions on how to complete an exercise.
• Routines for different types of exercises such as cardio sessions, arm, abs, and full-body workouts.
• The app also has exercise videos to instruct users

3. Fooducate

While Fooducate is free to download, it is important to remember that users will have to make certain in-app purchases. Here are some of its features:

Fooducate Features

• It educates users about food and provides the best recipes and also keeps the track of consumption.
• The app also provides tips for losing weight and a healthy diet.

4. Glo

Available on both android and iOS platforms, Glo is ideal for yoga enthusiasts of all levels. It comes with features such as:

Glo Features

• Daily updates.
• It has trainers for all kinds of workouts such as yoga, meditation and Pilates.
• Moreover, the app doesn’t need Wi-Fi to function.

5. JEFIT

Compatible with iOS and android, JEFIT provides users with both active support community and weight lifting tips. Apart from tips, the app also gives information on the tools needed. Listed below are some of its salient features:

JEFIT Features

• Tracks the workout sessions.
• Customised weight training
• Provides access to a wide range of exercise library
• It also offers body stat tracking

Tech Stack to Create a Fitness App

Founded in 2005, MyFitnessPal is a popular fitness application that is available on iOS and Android. MyFitnessPal is regarded amongst the highly downloaded apps as it offers a wide range of features like a log for food intake and workout sessions and a database of delicious recipes. Here are the steps the app went through before its release:

Table format with the logo of technology

One of the foremost things that a fitness app development company should do is design the logo for the application. While a logo is not the sole determining factor in the success of an app, the insignia does make an impression.

Front-end

Front-end development focuses on the client side of development and a front-end developer is responsible for the look and ultimately, the design of the app. Some of the languages in front-end development include CSS, jQuery, JavaScript, and HTML.

Backend

Focusing on the server-side of development, the fitness app developers are focused on monitoring the functioning of the app. Backend developers have languages like .NET, Python, Java, PHP, Ruby on Rails.

Database

Whether it is an app on iOS or Android, the database is the heart of an app. Whether it is to upgrade the functionality of an app or to create a new one, the existence of a proper database is of critical importance. Some of the well regarded mobile app databases are:

• PostgreSQL
• MongoDB
• Memcached
• Cassandra
• MariaDB
• SQLite
• Redis
• InfluxDB
• Riak DB

Here are some of the other apps that you can install on the phone:

Sworkit

Available on both android and iOS, Sworkit promises beginners a simple and easy way to learn new exercises, create a regular fitness routine and set goals. The app promises facilities like:

• Customizable workouts for cardio, yoga and stretching.
• One-on-one coaching with personal trainers.

Headspace

Compatible with both iOS and android, Headspace is trying to make meditation accessible to users of all levels and for all ages. Headspace is equipped with features like:

• Cooking and weight loss guidance is available.
• Beginner guidance for meditation.
• Can also be used to address a wide range of health issues.

How to Monetize a Fitness App? [Monetization Model]

A monetization model is a plan that serves as a blueprint to earn revenue with the help of the mobile application. Fitness apps earn revenue through the following ways:

In-App Ads

Considered amongst the most common monetization models used by a fitness app development company, in-app advertisements involve displaying native advertisements, banners, playable advertisements, video interstitials and many more. One of the most popular examples of in-app advertisements is the ads that are seen at the bottom of the app’s UI (user interface).

Paid Membership

Under the provisions of this model, users after the download of the fitness app can access certain basic features. But, later, users can enjoy features that can be accessed only after purchasing the premium membership. Some of those features include (ad-free experience, premium fitness plans and coaching services).

Selling Products

Sometimes fitness apps can also choose to sell fitness products to earn revenue. Here are some of the products that fitness app developers can sell on the application:

• Protein powders
• Whey
• Peanut butter

Transaction Fee

Another way that an app could make revenue is to implement a transaction fee. It means a small additional charge on small transactions on the app purchases.

Early Alerts to Users

With early alerts, fitness apps can retain their users. Push notifications are both a simple and effective way that an app can carry out communicate with its members. Fitness app developers usage of push notifications to improve the overall user experience, increase user engagement, and boost class attendance.

FAQ’s on Fitness App Development

Q. 1 Why Should I Invest in Building a Fitness App?

While a lot of industries faced insurmountable losses during the spread of COVID-19, the fitness app industry saw a significant boost in subscriptions as gymnasiums were closed. Fitness apps enabled people to exercise from the comfort of their own homes as the gyms were closed.

Q. 2 Is There More Than One Type of Fitness Apps?

There are three main types of fitness applications, namely: Nutrition apps, Activity tracking apps, Workout, and exercise apps

Q. 3 What are the Ideal Features of a Great Fitness App?

Here are the must-have features of a great fitness app:
1. Access to educational content about health and fitness.
2. Offers things like user information, individual settings, activity log and goals.
3. Subscriptions that offer tailored plans for users.
4. One of the core features of a great fitness app is offering health tracking and logging. It enables users to keep a record of their workouts, diet, and results.