How does a simple feature solve the lack of visibility for personal trainers without spending on ads?
Context
It was necessary to increase student engagement by encouraging them to check in for their workouts, as many often forgot: a recurring issue.
We aimed to expand the app’s organic presence on social media.
Front-end mobile dev available, ready to implement new solutions.
From this combination, the functionality emerged: allowing users to share their post-workout achievements in a visual and engaging way.
The Challenge
Problem
User:
Trainees didn’t have a way to share their achievements and workouts visually.
Trainees forgot to log their workout check-in
Business:
We wanted more organic reach we wanted on social media
We also needed a way for personal trainers to promote their work through their students.
It was a very simple yet essential feature that didn’t exist before.
Objective
Allow students to share their achievements and workouts in a visual and engaging way.
Expand the app’s organic reach on social media, reducing reliance on paid ads.
Provide personal trainers with a way to promote their work through their students’ accomplishments.
Connect users, foster recognition, and strengthen the brand’s digital presence.
Solution
We created a post-workout sharing feature that allows students to:
Photo upload and editing: Students can take a photo, upload one from the gallery or choose from default images. The interface allows simple editing before sharing, making the process quick and intuitive.
Visible metrics control: The student decides whether to show or hide their workout metrics in the shared image. These metrics include: completed workout, number of workouts in the week, and scheduled workout time. This gives the user autonomy over what to expose publicly.
Automatic dual promotion: Each shared image automatically displays the O Personal Digital logo along with the student’s personal trainer @handle. This solves two problems at once: organic promotion for the company and free marketing for trainers through their own satisfied students.
Process
Conducted benchmarking with competitor apps to identify best practices.
Tested prototypes with a test group (an internal team who were also trainees).
The test group validated that the feature was ready for launch to the final audience.
I worked with one front-end mobile developer and one back-end developer.
I reported directly to the CPO and gathered his insights throughout the project.
I was the solo UI/UX designer and managed communication between teams and oversaw the end-to-end process.
Results and Impacts
Qualitative feedback:
Students loved the feature and started sharing workouts regularly.
Personals reported very positive feedback from their students.
The feature generated free organic promotion for both O Personal Digital and the trainers, since each post included both brands.
Learning:
I learned to leverage human psychology by designing screens that naturally drive more engagement and retention. Understanding what motivates people to share (celebrating achievements + social recognition) was essential to the success of this feature.
My Role
I was the solo UI/UX designer throughout the entire process, while also acting as product lead by bridging communication between teams and ensuring end-to-end follow-up.
I worked with one front-end developer and one back-end developer, reporting directly to the CPO and incorporating his insights along the project.
Responsible for: research (benchmarking), UX research, wireframes, QA, user testing, final UI design, and implementation follow-up.