Video Workouts

Overview

Aaptiv was originally designed to be an audio-only based fitness app geared toward runners. As its evolved overtime, the user base has grown, and fitness categories are more varied, the need for a visual experience has grown. With video we help users improve their form and increase their engagement with our workout library.

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Problem

Audio-only classes limit our ability to help users perform workouts and movements safely and accurately. Form in many categories is exceptionally important and the lack of visual cues from trainers has caused users to abandon workouts and use alternative solutions for categories like strength training and yoga.

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Hypothesis

To remain competitive in the digital fitness and wellness space, Aaptiv must offer video workouts despite having originally been an audio-only fitness experience. In the world of the Pelotons and Mirrors, our experience is suffering due to the lack of visual guidance. Based on user feedback, we believe that video will increase completion rates and will help users improve their form, resulting in a better workout experience. Additionally, we believe future iterations could provide a more connected in-app community experience, accountability and friendly competition with leaderboards, further increasing user engagement.

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Goal: Increase class completions and user engagement

Support playing video workouts in-app and on web so that users can better understand movement, technique, and the form associated with many exercise in various categories. We aim to help users connect with trainers easier, learn new movements, and further their fitness journey while increasing the workout completion rate and subscription conversions.

Users

"...So many verbal directions with NO visual aids. I have absolutely no idea what she was talking about. Lots of terms for moves that I don’t know..." - Barre Class User Review

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46% of our user base prefers group workouts or live classes. The majority of our users are very engaged and open to new technologies. Based on our research, we believe that video workouts could satisfy our user's desire to workout in groups (future iterations would address this) and provide an opportunity for them to connect more closely with trainers.

Scope & Constraints

The project involved providing video workouts in-app and on the web. Users should be able to play video workouts, cast workouts via Chromecast (eventually supporting Apple TV), mirror workouts to their tv, and view biometric data on the screen when their Apple Watch is connected. Initial functionality would be limited based on the limited team resources available.

Process: User Journey

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Process: Wireframes

Process: High Fidelity Iterations

Results

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"I love that you are constantly innovating and bringing us new and exciting features. I was a member a few years ago and recently re-joined - the number of new features is AMAZING. I haven’t found a single other platform that even comes close in quality or quantity!" - Post-launch user feedback

"I think this is going to be a game changer. I love Aaptiv for running but really struggled with audio for strength, even with the demos of the exercises at the beginning." - Post-launch user feedback

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After the initial video workout launch, the majority of feedback received was extremely positive. Our video workouts have out-performed audio-workouts (our total library has less video workouts overall to date), class satisfaction has increased, and workout completion rates have increased as well. Continued iteration and testing will provide more functionality and a more immersive video experience.

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Overview

Scheduled “Live” workouts would allow users to take classes together allowing them to compete via the leaderboard, interact with each other, motivate each other, and take classes with friends. 

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Problem

Users can't easily interact with each other during a workout. We interviewed users to understand how users are using Aaptiv, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where digital fitness has become more common. Responses included descriptions of FaceTiming their friends during a workout to take the same class together, and scheduling zoom calls to create group workouts. We want to provide that personal interaction and sense of friendly competition in the app for our users.

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Hypothesis

With the introduction of Scheduled "Live" Workouts into our video workout experience, we will increase user engagement, help users with accountability and friendly competition, and satisfy our large user base that prefers group workouts and group class experiences. By allowing users to take video workouts together at the same time, we will enhance community engagement within the app and allow users to more intentionally interact with other users and trainers.

Goal: Increase class completions, user engagement, and facilitate group workouts

Our goal with Scheduled "Live" Workouts was to iterate on the video workout experience and build a more interactive engaging experience.

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Users

46% of our user base prefers group workouts or live classes. The majority of our users are very engaged and open to new technologies. Based on our research, we believe that video workouts could satisfy our user's desire to workout in groups (future iterations would address this) and provide an opportunity for them to connect more closely with trainers.

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Process: Prototype

Outcomes & Lessons

Although Scheduled "Live" Workouts was bumped down the priority list on the product roadmap due to our small team, the large project scope, and the substantial development effort required, we were able to work out a V1 user experience and perform usability testing. Further testing and iterating would push this concept further and help to create a simple, engaging live workout experience.