Making Exercise Fun: Design Strategies for Fitness Apps

Making Exercise Fun: Design Strategies for Fitness Apps

With technology increasingly intertwined with our daily lives, fitness has become inseparable from smartwatches, fitness trackers, and apps. Our smartphones are filled with various fitness applications, ranging from simple nutritional tracking to hardcore workout routines. These products boast diverse design styles. This article analyzes the design trends in fitness products, exploring their application in both hardcore and relaxed scenarios. Through these designs, we can understand the impact and role of visual design on product personality.

Redefining QQ Motion: A Shift Towards Fun and Relaxation

In 2023, the QQ Motion team at Tencent ISUX set out to redefine their fitness app. Recognizing a growing need for enjoyable and accessible exercise experiences, they aimed to shift away from a purely functional approach towards one that emphasized fun and relaxation. This involved rethinking design elements across the entire app.

From Stiff to Lighthearted: A New Design Language

The team prioritized a playful and lighthearted design language, reflected in various aspects:

• Color Palette: They opted for vibrant colors, avoiding the typical stark black and green often seen in fitness apps.
• Typography: Instead of rigid sans-serif fonts, they chose more approachable and rounded typefaces.
• UI Elements: Icons and buttons were redesigned to be more playful and visually engaging.

Food as Motivation: A Unique Approach

A key innovation was the integration of food imagery into workout tracking. Users could see their daily calorie expenditure reflected in different meals, ranging from a yogurt for lower burn to a spicy hotpot for high exertion. This gamified approach made exercise feel more rewarding and tangible.

• Stylized Food Design: The team experimented with various rendering styles before settling on a "matte clay" aesthetic. It added a unique artistic touch while keeping the overall design light and playful.
• QQ Integration: To further enhance the fun factor, they incorporated elements from QQ, Tencent's popular messaging platform, into the food designs.

Animation and Interactions:

• Dynamic Homepage: The homepage featured an engaging animation sequence that combined 2D illustrations with 3D food models. This made the user experience more interactive and visually appealing.
• Encouraging Water Imagery: When no data was recorded, a playful water icon appeared, reminding users to stay hydrated and encouraging them to get moving.

Ongoing Evolution:

The team's design strategy for QQ Motion is an ongoing process of iteration and refinement. They actively gather user feedback and strive to make the app more engaging and enjoyable with each update. Their focus on making exercise fun aligns with Tencent's broader philosophy of "making life easier and more enjoyable."

Conclusion:

By prioritizing user experience and incorporating playful design elements, QQ Motion demonstrates that fitness apps can be both functional and fun. This approach has the potential to motivate users, make exercise feel less daunting, and ultimately contribute to a healthier lifestyle.