STRIDE SAGA - Designing An Immersive Fitness Experience
Overview
An AI-powered running app that turns your workouts into Quests. With real-time coaching from your guide, The Watcher, you’ll earn rankings, unlock badges, and conquer story-driven challenges that make every run an adventure.
Goal
To make running more fun and motivating while encouraging users of all fitness levels to build healthy habits, stay consistent, and experience their progress like a hero leveling up on a journey.
Skills
UI Design
UX Design
Process
I started by mapping out the problem space. Why do people stop using running apps? I looked at app store reviews, behavior patterns, and testimonials from Reddit, Strava, and fitness forums. Early on, it became clear: motivation was a major hurdle, especially after the novelty of a new app wore off.
User Insight
Before diving into the design, we gathered insights by interviewing users about their current experiences with running apps. We wanted to understand their frustrations and aspirations, focusing on how running could be better integrated into their routines.
The survey responses provided valuable insights into the app’s potential and user preferences. The respondents were primarily between the ages of 24-26, with the majority identifying as female. In terms of running experience, 63.6% of participants expressed an interest in getting into running. However, the interest in participating in running events was less enthusiastic, with only 36.4% showing interest. This suggests that while many users are open to running, the motivation to engage in formal running events may need to be cultivated over time.
When it comes to the gameplay experience, 63.6% of respondents favored separate mini-quests over a continuous quest, indicating a preference for variety and flexibility in the challenges they face. Additionally, a strong majority (72.7%) expressed a desire for an immersive narrative, preferring to feel like they are part of an unfolding story rather than just completing tasks. This highlights the importance of integrating storytelling elements into the app to keep users engaged and motivated. In terms of app functionality, 90.9% of participants wanted the app to provide real-time AI feedback for pacing and breathing during runs, underscoring the desire for interactive coaching that enhances the running experience.
When asked about the difficulty levels of the quests, 90.9% of respondents preferred both beginner and advanced levels, indicating the need for the app to cater to a broad range of fitness levels. Interest in the app itself was high, with 63.6% rating their excitement for the concept and the features it promises.
From these insights, it is clear that users are looking for an app that provides a personalized running experience, with real-time coaching and immersive narratives that transform their runs into engaging adventures. The preference for multiple difficulty levels and the focus on fantasy-themed quests suggest that the app should be flexible, with content tailored to various user needs and fitness levels. While interest in running events is present, it seems that users would benefit from gradual engagement, starting with motivational challenges that eventually build up to full event participation. These insights will be crucial in shaping the app's development, ensuring it meets user needs and keeps them motivated on their running journey.
Audience
The app is designed for adults aged 20–35 who are seeking a more engaging, and motivating way to stay active. This audience includes beginner and intermediate runners, casual gamers, and wellness-focused individuals who want their workouts to feel fun. Many have struggled with traditional fitness apps that lack emotional connection or long-term engagement.
To better understand user needs, two personas were developed based on research, behavior trends, and fitness motivations
Mary, 25
A software engineer who runs for mental clarity and craves structure without pressure.
Jason, 30
A marketing manager training for a half-marathon who thrives on performance data and short-term challenges.
These personas directly influenced decisions around tone of voice, difficulty scaling, quest design, and community features ensuring the app offers a welcoming experience for new users while still satisfying competitive and narrative-driven users.
Barriers
Lack of Motivation:
63.6% of users are hesitant to participate in running events, which indicates a potential lack of motivation.
Solution: Offer a steady flow of achievable challenges and rewards to keep users engaged, even without event participation.
Fitness Level Intimidation:
Users might feel overwhelmed by more advanced quests, especially if they’re beginners or out of shape.
Solution: Provide scalable difficulty levels, with real-time feedback to ensure users feel supported and motivated at their fitness level.
Time Constraints:
Many users may struggle to find the time to commit to long workouts.
Solution: Offer mini-quests or shorter challenges that can be completed in less time, making the app more accessible for users with busy schedules.
A/B Testing
I conducted A/B testing with two design variations to refine usability. These tests focused on optimizing how users interacted with the quest selection, leaderboard, and daily quest genre.
Version A presented all options on a single board, offering a straightforward, functional interface
Version B is a more immersive design; a campsite setting where quests appeared as scrolls scattered around the scene.
Users overwhelmingly preferred Version B, citing its visual appeal, playful atmosphere, and the sense of discovery it created. The interactive environment made the app feel more like a game and encouraged users to explore, increasing the likelihood of longer engagement sessions.
Selected Design
Alternative Design
Takeaway
By incorporating a visually appealing and dynamic home screen, users were more inclined to interact with the app, leading to longer sessions and increased exploration. This reinforces the importance of creating a fun, gamified experience that feels less like a workout app and more like an adventure. Next time, the focus will be on maintaining a balance between functionality and interactivity, ensuring that users not only stay engaged but also feel motivated to keep coming back.