Think about a rowing machine that has been strategically placed at the corner of the gym. Now, compare that to either a treadmill or a stationary bike — the number of people who would feel ‘excited’ to use these machines would be minimal. The reason is quite simple, repetitive workouts without any engagement would leave you feeling bored. Well, not anymore.
rowing with an app.
aviron active
what is aviron?
It is an interactive rowing machine that enables the user to be apart of an exhilarating and engaging workout experience.
The idea started in 2016 with Andy Hoang when he decided to fuse his passion for rowing, his competitive mindset, and his love for innovation. His inspiration was born from the desire to help millennials get fit and have fun simultaneously.
The Aviron Active rowing machine is ergonomically designed to provide an immersive experience
for every kind of user.
It combines an interactive touchscreen and an innovative Dual Air + Magnetic resistance that delivers less-noisy and more smooth rowing than most of the other products in the market. The magic is in Aviron’s exclusive content. The ability to have an immersive rowing experience while watching some of the most beautiful sights in the world or race against other Aviron rowers. There are other workouts available for those who are looking for greater competition-race against Olympic athletes or maybe try to escape from zombies. The combination of competition, entertainment and a fully immersive workout.
Let’s start rowing
Our team of three UX Designers (Kim Mckinnon, Tanveer Mundi and I), together with two UI Designers (Laura Castaño and Cassandra Alvarado) were invited to create a companion mobile App with a key challenge: enhance the user experience with Aviron Active. As a solution, we determined that we should create a sexy and easy to use mobile application that would allow users to be continuously engaged in a competitive workout environment. We also agreed that the mobile application be on a customizable platform which would enable users to personalize their experience.
During the next two days, we continued observing the users. Interestingly, even when the program selected wasn’t designed to be a competition, they found a way to make it a game. For example, one of the routines allows the rower to compare his performance lap after lap with two minutes of duration. The users, instead, started rowing one after the other to see who could rower further.
However, we still needed more data.
Surveys.
We conducted an online survey that collected 47 responses. Our sample was a mix of people that regularly workout and people that were not exercising. The objective was to get information from an audience that was familiar with rowing machines. As well, to understand what would encourage a novice try the product and how we could increase mobile user adoption. Here are the most significant discoveries:
Regarding the usage of Fitness Apps, our survey determined that the top features were Heart Rate Monitor, Calories Counting, Push notifications, Weight loss goals, and the community aspect present in some of them. The frequency that they use these apps were divided almost evenly between monthly ( 28% ), weekly (39%), and daily usage (33%). This information showed us that we should cover all different types of users and not benefit or highlight just one of them.
The majority of them (34/47) would like to be part of an interactive workout experience and amongst them:
Like competition was mentioned 22 times
Group guided workouts were mentioned 19 times
Gamification was mentioned 17 times
Virtual scenic was mentioned 16 times
Like to be part of a team was mentioned 12 times
It reaffirmed what we observed previously. The competition was a key factor for the success of this project, together with guided workouts, gamification, and virtual scenic destinations. A considerable number of participants also shared their desire to be part of a team or community.
Another exciting aspect is that 49% of the respondents consider themselves open-minded in trying new workouts, and 44% would try it if they heard it from a friend. It means that the power of ‘word of mouth’ is considerably influential in this field and Aviron could benefit from social media influencers and credible rowers.
C+C Analysis.
During our research, we also performed a Comparative and Competitive Analysis amongst other fitness applications that create a sense of community with elements of competitive metrics. We compared these competitors using two different axis: metrics tracking and online community participation. It allowed us to identify brands that live in the same spectrum of Aviron Active and analyze their Apps individually.
We compared these competitors using two different axes: metrics tracking and online community participation. It allowed us to identify brands that live in the same spectrum of Aviron Active and analyze their Apps individually.
Row 1. Research
The most important aspect was to understand the consumer relationship with the product and translate that into our App. We asked Aviron to leave one of the machines in our working space for testing. That way, we could observe and analyze how people that had never seen the product would interact with it. It would give us a different (but resourceful) perspective than our online surveys. This offers a tangible user experience and guide us on how to approach the problems that come with unexpected solutions.
As a COMPETITIVE PERSON, I want to CHALLENGE PEOPLE I KNOW so that I CAN OUT RUN THEM.
Motivations
- Wants to do full body workouts
- Wants more cardio
- Be part of a community
Frustrations
- Basic rowing is very boring and repetitive
- Doesn’t know how he is progressing compared to others that are on the same journey as him
Goals
- Make physics progress & discover the latest workouts
- Progress tracking and metrics
- Be part of a team/community to increase competition
"Fitness is not about being better than someone else… It is about being better than you used to be."
As an OPEN MINDED PERSON, I want to EXPLORE DIFFERENT WORKOUTS so that I CAN FEEL LIKE I AM PART OF A TEAM.
Goals
- Quick and effective workout
- Wants to try something new and fun
- Wants an easy to use app to share her experience
Motivations
- Rowing gives me fast results
- Engaging & personalized workouts
- Be part of a rowing community
Frustrations
- Boring workouts
- Not enough time to do longer workouts
"I am strong, I am beautiful, I am enough.”
#rowgirl #selflove #namaste #lookatme #yogalife
As a NOVICE ROWER, I want to FIND AN ENTERTAINING WORKOUT PROGRAM so that I CAN KEEP MYSELF MOTIVATED.
Goals
- Wants to loose a few pounds to be healthier
- Wants a low-impact full body workout
Motivations
- Participate in online interactive workouts
- Low-impact, effective workouts that are easier on joints
Frustrations
- It’s difficult to find new workouts
- Group classes are too expensive
"I want to grow healthy with my kids."
The big letters; spelling the name of the product mixed with people working out on the onboarding screens is magical.
Hi-Fidelity version showing the Leaderboard page, a friends profile page and the QR Code feature.
Hi-Fidelity version showing the Leaderboard page, a friends profile page and the QR Code feature.
Before our usability test users could only access their friends list through their Profile page (first and second image). After their feedback we decided to make it always visible on the main navigation bar (third image).
Another community aspect that needed to be redesigned was the process to add an image while users were sharing their performance on social media. We learned that sometimes what makes complete sense for the design members, could be a total flop to someone that was not involved in the process. It reinforced the importance of the testing phase to achieve a successful product.
In our survey, the majority of the participants mentioned that they use Instagram, Nike Run Club, and Fit Bit frequently. We revisited these Apps to check how the photo-sharing feature was crafted and mixed some of these elements. That way, users could feel familiar with the navigation process and consequently, more encouraged to share.
This strategy solved our problem and also let us add the option to use an image from the user’s photo library instead.
Three iterations of the same feature. The first two options were rejected during our usability test.
A significant number of participants got confused about the QR Code login feature. For them, it was more natural to use the camera on their mobile devices to scan a code on the Aviron machine’s display to connect to it. In reality, they had been doing it this way for a long time with other Apps (e.g., to use WhatsApp on a desktop computer) and it became second nature.
Unfortunately, changing this feature was not an option because it was part of the rowing machines software. Instead, we added a video to show how this feature works and a page with further instructions for the user.
Our first and second versions for the QR Code feature.
Feature 1. Community for sharing + Social Media Integration
Functionalities: Using this feature, users can connect, check their preferred workouts, and share their results on Social Media. This feature also prepares the environment for a future feature that will let Aviron rowers invite other users to race.
Users can share their progress or a specific session on social media. It is also possible to add stickers on top of a photo, use the camera to capture the moment right after a workout or just post the metrics of it.
Feature 2. QR Code Login
Functionalities: Allow users to quickly log in to their profile by pointing the QR Code on their App to the camera on the rowing machine. By using this feature, they will be able to load their details in any Aviron Machine and choose the best workout program for them.
At anytime, users can access the QR Code that allow them to connect to any Aviron Active rowing machine (left image). To clarify how to use the feature, an explanatory video is placed together with the code (right).
Feature 3. Leaderboard for competition
Functionalities: Aviron users can also see their position on an overall ranking based on distance rowed in the last 24 hours, seven days, or 30 days interval.
At anytime, users can access the QR Code that allow them to connect to any Aviron Active rowing machine (left image). To clarify how to use the feature, an explanatory video is placed together with the code (right).
Feature 4. Discover for optimal marketing and continuous program use
Functionalities: At this section of the App, users can check the news from Aviron Active, new workouts, recommended programs to improve
their performance and their friend’s preferred routines. In one click, any of these exercises to
the user’s favorites.
At the MY Aviron section, users can learn more about the product, new exercises routines, check their workout history and feel inspired by their friends workout choices.
Feature 5. Dashboard/metrics for progress tracking
Functionalities: Users can visually understand their performance and become aware of their improvement on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Users can check their performance on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
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Learning through Observation.
As UX Designers, sometimes we forget to practice this. It can be one of the most powerful tools for those who aim to create a user-centered platform. It was very fascinating to observe how people were using the machine.
Right after the product arrived, a group of curious people stood around it — till the moment the first person decided to give it a try. Amongst all the different kinds of programs available, his choice was a game that reacts to the strength and speed of the user, making the main character run and escape from Zombies. One after the other, our audience kept coming and trying different workout types. They started marking their scores and comparing each others result. From here, came the first insight — individuals we like to compete.
Chad 'The Chadster' Trevor
The Crossfiter
Rachel Conrad
The Influencer
Joe (Slow Joe) Johnson
The average, hardworking dad
I like that it works out all parts of my body.”
Aviron tester, 2019
Row 2. Planning
Then we combined all relevant pieces of information collected using affinity diagrams. This was probably the most complex phase of the planning phase. We reorganized the affinity diagram differently four to five times till we felt comfortable with it.
Personas and User Stories.
By now, we were able to create our personas and user stories and scenarios. They were equivalent to the age group and gender from our surveys and covered frustrations and motivations from our respondents regarding their fitness expectations. The objective here was to identify what each one of them would be looking for in an App and what would deliver a better experience with the product.
Row 3. UX Design
Feature Prioritization.
We defined five features for the App. All of them crafted to fulfill the needs of our personas, reduce their frustrations, and help them to achieve their goals.
Row 5. UI Design
At this phase, the two UX Designers on the team understood the overall direction on how the App should look. The information collected in our surveys and C+C Analysis, combined with the wireframes and company’s brand guidelines, started paving the way towards the final product outcome.
Row 4. Testing
We conduct our usability test based on three key pillars: feature usability, how useful our features would be to our target audience and how much the App would help them to exercise and share their results frequently.
After two rounds of tests with eight different participants, we revisited our initial structure to emphasize some aspects of the App. As an example, most users got confused when asked to find a user and send a friend request. This content was nested inside the profile page and was creating an unnecessary obstacle to one of the main priorities of the App: the community aspect.
As a solution, we added a Friend tab to centralize all community features and minimize the number of clicks to connect with other users.
Row 6. Future Considerations
Based on our discoveries, we suggested five features to be considered in their future versions of the App. These would help Aviron to explore new opportunities in the market and to enhance the functionality of the App.
We divided them in two different groups:
1. Additional features
- Live social media feeds
- Music Streaming Integration (e.g. Spotify/Google Play)
- Real Time workouts with professional rowers/athletes
2. Long Term Business Goals
- Group Guided Workouts (e.g. SoulCycle)
- Consider Wearable Technology
Finish line.
It was delightful to develop an App to complement the experience of a great product like Aviron Active. The rowing machine is a masterpiece that brings the best on innovation combined with tailor-made content for all kinds of audience, from novices to pro rowers. It also brings a certain level of responsibility and huge expectations, not only from the client but also from the team. We pushed the limits to craft the best App possible during the three weeks we worked on it.
We analyzed the information from a different perspective numerous times to see the big picture, and then come back to the details. It was an excellent exercise for those who are aiming to work on the UX and UI Design field.
In closing, sometimes we need to come with something entirely new to surprise users. However, if they are already familiar with how some things work, it doesn’t make any sense to reinvent the wheel. Keeping the balance between these two realms is what will make your product useful and memorable.
I love the video game aspect.”
Aviron tester, 2019
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Great way to get a quick overall workout and pump up your heart rate.”
Aviron tester, 2019
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©2018
