Coachlas case study
Problem Statement
Project
Overview
Coachlas is your supportive fitness companion that not only guides your workouts, but helps you understand them. From myth-busting to clear, in-depth insights on exercise and nutrition, Coachlas brings smart, simple fitness education to every step of your journey.
Research & Ideation
Research
The “Perfection Paradox”: Social media fitness culture relies heavily on edited imagery and hidden “non-natural” enhancements, creating impossible body standards for young adults.
Profit Over Accuracy: Creators use viral, aesthetic-driven trends to maximize engagement, often pushing misinformation and overpriced, ineffective supplements to exploit viewer insecurities.
Further 2% of fitness content on social media in the US were also backed up scientific research.
Brainstorming
Ideas around a mobile app would be a good way to start ideation. I looked into competitors around the fitness coaching space through the app store and further ideation such as site maps, style-scapes and presentations were done.
Site-map & User-testing
An initial prototype and site-map was also created on Figma of the main functions/flow of Coachlas based on research.
Survey
I also conducted a survey amongst people that were in the same age range as me with fitness experience to gather insights on fitness content on social media.
The Credibility Gap: A small university survey revealed that while students use digital creators for advice, 75% have been personally misled by fitness or nutrition content.
Demand for Evidence: Participants were frustrated by algorithms favouring hype over facts, leading to a strong demand for fitness content that is transparent and backed by scientific research.
Lo-fi prototype
To evaluate the efficacy of Coachlas, usability testing was conducted.
- Target Audience: Active university students aged 19–24 who watches fitness related content
- focusing on a specific user flow: transitioning a high-frequency workout schedule to a more manageable three-day plan.
Feedback highlighted a clear distinction between functional ease and content depth as well as adjustments to the layout.
Hi-fi prototype
I further developed the prototype into a navigational Hi-Fi prototype and gathered feedback from peers and lectures.
- Aligning icons and imagery with the proportions of the prototype.
- Using more consistent icons.
- Adjustments to the hierarchy of information in the home screen.
Feedback also included that they would also like to see certain features like the drop down box to show the UX process of exercises.
Final mockups
Mobile app of Coachlas
Branding
Reflection
This project helped me develop a stronger understanding of user-centred design, research-driven problem solving, and how to create a digital product that effectively addresses real user needs.
During my final presentation I have received feedback regarding feature prioritization and user alignment. Moving forward, the strategic refinements for Coachlas include:
- Sharpening the Core Value: The initial design included tracking and coaching features that bloated the UX and diluted the app’s purpose. In future iterations, evidence-based education will be the singular core value, carving out a distinct niche in a saturated market and directly solving the problem of fitness misinformation.
- Simplifying for the Target User: A feature-heavy interface creates an overwhelming learning curve for beginner-to-intermediate lifters. Streamlining the product ensures the UX matches the user’s experience level.
Future Application: This project highlights the importance of maintaining a strict scope. Moving forward, I will ensure feature sets remain strictly anchored to the primary problem statement and user onboarding needs.