In the last many years, fitness apps have gained wider popularity resulting in digital transformation in the health and wellness industry. These apps provide immediate access to health and fitness-related solutions and let individuals track nutrition information of daily food intake, such as carbs, fiber, and protein, and set multiple other health goals.
In this article, we will talk about some of the most common kinds of fitness apps and features that these apps must have.
What is a Fitness App?
A fitness app works as a goal-oriented and supportive fitness partner motivating users to take care of their fitness. These apps are helpful for users as they help monitor their health and fitness using diverse tracking mechanisms. These apps serve the purpose of those who want to lead a healthy lifestyle and help users analyze and improve their workout patterns and eating habits.
The Future of Fitness Apps
In the last few years, the health and fitness mobile apps market has witnessed significant growth. This growth is backed by various factors including:
- The growing usage of smartphones and wearable gadgets.
- An increasing focus on fitness and wellness.
- Rising health awareness among the general population.
The revenues in global fitness app market size is estimated to reach USD 6.86 billion in 2024. Revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR (2024-2029) of 7.96%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$10.06 billion by 2029. This data clearly indicates the growing demand for a fitness app and thus it is the right time to launch your fitness app.
The fitness apps market is witnessing rapid growth due to the growing preference for fitness and wellness activities among global customers. Thanks to the apps’ simple functionality which is a great innovation for all kinds of fitness enthusiasts.
Main Kinds of Fitness Apps?
Let’s read about the kinds of fitness apps and the impact these apps have created on people’s daily lives.
Workout Tracking App
Workout tracking apps assist users in keeping a close track of their exercise routine by monitoring the type of exercise, intensity, and duration. Further, these apps also suggest tailored workout plans, healthy eating tips and tricks, etc. that keep users motivated and on track. Gamification features such as progress tracking, rewards, and social interaction can be used to enhance user engagement.
Having a workout app offering unique experiences, such as VR-based exercises, outdoor adventures, or story-driven workouts, urges users to stay fit. Moreover, if your app is dynamic and captivating, then it has the potential to attract a broad audience and foster fitness success.
Diet and Nutrition Apps
These apps are ideal for users who want to change their eating preferences and shed those extra kilos. The users get assistance from professional nutrition experts who help manage weight and change their lifestyles for the better. The app provides a visualized diet chart, in-built progress, and calorie intake tracker, and cooking recipes for users.
Users stay motivated with the progress reports and success tips. From an information log, the app automatically calculates calories based on the number consumed during meals or burnt during exercises.
Fitness Clubs Apps
These apps include convenient scheduling tools and interactive features aiming to improve user engagement. They have progress-tracking tools and are integrated with some of the most payment gateways letting you easily pay for the services. To further improve the app functionality, the creators have added a LIVE video streaming feature and provide users with access to their stats.
Yoga and Meditation/Wellness Apps
These are yoga and meditation apps where the experts teach mindfulness, relaxation, and flexibility exercises ensuring the mental and physical well-being of the individuals. The app provides access to yoga sessions, breathing techniques, and meditation exercises, which individuals can do based on their requirements. Moreover, they can customize their exercise routine to maintain consistency.
Activity Tracking Apps
These are the tracking apps that help users to monitor their daily exercise and wellness routines. They use apps that leverage smartphone sensors and wearable devices to compile data on activities like walking, cycling, and running. The information obtained provides key insights into the distance covered, calories burned, and progress charts to motivate users to adopt healthy habits.
By using this app, users can set the desired goals they want to achieve, especially users who are training for championships as it aids training plans. Users are motivated by new targets they have achieved.
Must-have Features for Your Fitness App Development
The list of key features one must integrate while designing the app include:
1. Onboarding
To target new users with the app’s features and provide instructions, make a simple onboarding structure. At the time of onboarding, one can showcase some of the screens, provide a brief video tutorial, or use in-app prompts.
2. Sign-Up & Login
These apps must provide users with the convenience of signing up using their preferred social media accounts like Facebook, Google, Twitter, or Instagram. Additionally, letting users sign up with personal email addresses makes onboarding quite simple and straightforward.
3. User Profiles
Another feature to be included in the fitness app is to let users create profiles by providing information such as name, age, height, weight, gender, and fitness level. This data is beneficial for both the admin and users as the admin can create workout routines accordingly. Users can get quick access to subscription plans, exercise history, progress tracking, bonuses, and other pertinent details.
4. Goals
Setting fitness goals is an integral part of any fitness app as it enables users to establish objectives and track their progress, adds motivation, and fosters adherence to their fitness goals.
5. Synchronization With Wearable Devices
The growing popularity of wearable devices like smartwatches has urged app development companies to integrate and synchronize such technologies. Leverage technologies like HealthKit and GoogleFit to sync fitness tracker data with the app.
6. Workouts & Exercises
The developers can combine different media formats, like photos, 3D animated models, and video illustrations, for easy explanation of exercises and workouts. The app must provide users with the flexibility to create their own workouts as per their availability.
7. Tracking
Include tracking features in the app. Your fitness app must capture activity data through smartphone sensors or integration with wearable trackers. Smartphones provide data when some take steps, climb stairs, cover a certain distance, etc. Integration with third-party APIs is important to get extra details related to heart rate, sleep quality, or body temperature.
8. Audio/Video Player
Include audio/ video components in the fitness app to let users feel relaxed and motivated while getting involved in numerous fitness activities. Podcasts featuring trainers’ voices, soundtracks, or video tutorials engage the users. Additional features to be included in fitness app development include feedback, resuming playback, etc.
How Much Does it Cost to Develop a Fitness App?
The cost of fitness app development starts from $20,000 which includes a basic fitness app with fewer features including login, 3-4 screens, and social media integration. However, a fitness app with extensive features with intelligent technologies like AI-driven personal coach, video on demand, and extended development hours, would cost above $50,000.
The exact app development cost varies based on different factors like project requirements, features to be included, discovery phase, development time, expertise of the app development company, etc. You can connect with app developers at Kodehash Technologies who are experienced in building similar apps at the most affordable rates.
Cost to Develop a Fitness App Based on App Complexity
| App Complexity | Development Hours | Average Cost |
| Simple App Complexity | 8-14 weeks | $25,000 – $35,000 |
| Medium Design Complexity | 17-26 weeks | $35,000 – $45,000 |
| High App Complexity | 32-50 weeks | Starts from $50,000 |
Ways to Monetize a Fitness App?
Check out the ways that can help you in monetizing your app.
1. Freemium Version
While promoting your app as a freemium solution, make a few features available via in-app purchases. You can make the premium version ads-free or provide users with additional plans so that they can opt for the same.
2. Paid Subscription
The users while signing up on your app, provide their personal information, which can be used further to propel them to subscribe to your services. Businesses can provide users with an option to pay for a monthly/annual subscription against accessing exclusive features like advanced tracking tools and detailed reports.
3. In-App Store
Consider creating an in-app store where you can sell sports gadgets and equipment, nutrition products, sportswear, and other similar products that users might require while doing the workouts.
4. Partnerships and Affiliates
Fitness app companies can connect with fitness equipment manufacturers, nutrition companies, or fitness brands to let them showcase their products on the app. They may suggest or promote partner offerings within the app and get a commission in return. This model depends more upon collaborations and in turn, proves beneficial for both parties.
5. In-App Ads
It is one of the most common monetization strategies under which one can either integrate the app with popular ad networks or sign a contract with a company.
All Set to Grow Your Business With Fitness App Development?
The success of a fitness app mainly depends on its ability to deliver a premium user experience. And while teaming up with an experienced development team like Kodehash Technologies, you can get an enriched user experience. We being a leading app development company offer tailored tech solutions while maintaining the highest quality standards.
Why Us:
- Well-versed with Modern Mobile Tech Stacks
- Dynamic Mobile Portfolio
- Diversified Team
- Open-Source Products in the Mobile Space
- End-to-end Support from Ideation to Post-launch
Connect with us to get a quote, or book a consultation.
Fitness App Development: FAQs
Why are fitness apps popular?
By having a fitness app, users can check their performance and evaluate their fitness goals. They can also track their workouts, meals, and other health data, like weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. Based on the results, they can make changes, if required, as part of their fitness routine as needed.
When can I have my fitness app ready?
It takes anywhere between 2- 5 weeks to develop a simple fitness app. However, if you want an app with a higher complexity level, then it will take more time.