Fitness apps on the market are largely built around Western lifestyles, diets, and exercise habits, often overlooking the specific needs of African users. This project set out to investigate whether existing fitness apps genuinely serve African individuals in their health and fitness journeys, and to design a solution tailored to their unique realities.
The task was to research the gap between existing fitness applications and the needs of African users, then design a fitness/health maintenance app that directly addresses the pain points uncovered, from cultural dietary needs to affordability and time constraints.
Brainstorming documentation and early application architecture sketch.
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I led this research project as part of the Ingressive for Good/Zuri Training Program, driving the investigation from initial hypothesis through to final high-fidelity design. The process moved from hypothesis and user research, through empathy mapping and pain point identification, into brainstorming and feature ideation, and finally into persona development, wireframing, and high-fidelity design.
To validate this hypothesis, a comprehensive investigation was conducted to assess the satisfaction levels of African users with the features provided by current fitness apps. This involved conducting interviews with a group of fitness enthusiasts and collecting additional data through Google Forms.
To address these challenges, an extensive brainstorming session was conducted, resulting in the development of a feature list designed to enhance fitness and health maintenance apps on the market by specifically targeting African needs.
Following the conceptualization phase, wireframes were generated by referencing the user flowchart and subsequently transformed into high-fidelity mockup designs — resulting in a model design for an African-made health maintenance app that bridges the gap between existing fitness applications and the unique needs of African users.
The research began with the hypothesis that existing fitness apps do not adequately cater to African needs. This project was part of the Ingressive for Good/Zuri Training Program, aimed to improve the effectiveness of fitness applications for African users and address the specific challenges faced by African individuals in their fitness and health maintenance journeys.
The data obtained was meticulously compiled and organized, and an empathy map was utilized to identify the critical concerns of the target user persona. The research identified pain points including a lack of motivation due to exercise-related injuries, the absence of time management plans suitable for working schedules, the unavailability of African dietary plans, and the inability to afford premium packages.
To further refine the proposed solution, a persona profile, user stories, and a user flowchart were created to provide a comprehensive understanding of the user experience and guide the development process.
High fidelity wireframe designs
The final design delivered a high-fidelity mockup for a fitness/health maintenance app built specifically around African users' needs. Within this was included a design template for the app's dashboard, workout tracking, injury-conscious exercise plans, African dietary recommendations, and a flexible scheduling feature suited to varying work routines. It also detailed a tiered access model that made core features accessible without requiring premium payment.
Although the app has not been launched yet, being a part of this project was a rewarding and eye-opening experience. It served as a major learning platform to hone many UI/UX design skills including research, empathy mapping, ideation, and persona-driven design. I learnt to translate raw interview and survey data into meaningful design decisions, and to design with cultural and economic context in mind rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all solution. I was also given the opportunity to work on a project that speaks directly to closing a real gap in health and fitness technology for African users.
