Before the world hit pause due to the deadly coronavirus, staying active meant hitting the gym, visiting a yoga center, or engaging in outdoor activities. The outbreak of this pandemic has not only made people aware of the significance of an active lifestyle but also brought a new wave of fitness- the home workout revolution.
Yes, it is only after the pandemic that the demand for home workout and fitness apps like Peloton has surged exponentially. According to an online report, the global home fitness market is projected to reach US $19.2 billion by 2032.
Considering the popularity of home workout and fitness apps, investing in such an app is a lucrative idea. But before you do so, how about knowing the inside-out of Peloton-like app development? That’s what this guide does. It focuses on the features, benefits, market statistics step-by-step development process, and everything you should know about the Peloton-like fitness app.
Market Overview of Fitness Apps like Peloton
Peloton is a world-renowned fitness app that allows users to work out anywhere anytime by choosing the workout type and fitness plan as per their unique body requirements and fitness goals. Users can select from various options, from strength training, meditation, yoga, stretching, cardio, cycling, running, walking, pilates, boxing and rowing to outdoor workouts.
Here are some interesting statistics about this globally popular app:
- Peloton is among the top 10 fitness apps in the USA.
- Peloton has approximately 6.5 million users.
- Peloton had 3 million subscribers till April 2024.
- Peloton has a huge music library with over 2 million songs, the biggest in any fitness app category.
Developing a Fitness App Like Peloton: The Step-by-Step Process
The steps to create different types of fitness apps may vary. However, most reputed fitness app development companies follow the following process to ensure smooth and effortless development.
1. Planning and Market Research
This phase of development involves defining the app’s vision, target audience, and features. It also includes conducting market research, analyzing competitors, outlining the project scope, and setting milestones to create a smooth roadmap to the development.
2. Defining the App Type
Deciding whether the app will be native, hybrid, or cross-platform is the second step in the fitness app development process. Also, determine whether the app will be accessible from wearable devices, such as smartwatches. Choosing this depends on your target audience, budget, and other factors.
3. Selecting the Tech Stack
Select the appropriate technologies and development tools like Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android, React Native or Flutter for cross-platform apps, and MySQL or MongoDB as database solutions. Make sure the tech stack is according to the app’s unique requirements. It should also consider factors such as scalability, security, and performance.
4. Designing
UI/UX design is the crucial element of any fitness application. It plays a pivotal role in attracting new users and delivering them a seamless experience through clear navigation. The process involves creating both the user interface and user experience and wireframe of the Fitness app to outline the app’s outline and structure. Gather feedback on prototypes and make necessary changes before beginning the development.
5. Development
Writing codes to build the front end and back end of the fitness app is the next step in this journey. It incorporates focusing on server-side logic, database management, and API integration, and performing other critical tasks that contribute to building a fully functional fitness application. Refining the app iteratively to ensure the app’s alignment with project goals and user expectations is also a part of this step.
6. Testing
Conducting multiple tests verifies the app is free of bugs and has optimal functionality and performance on all targeted devices, platforms, and screens. It includes performing unit, integration, system, and user acceptance testing to ensure smooth functionality, high security, and compatibility of the fitness application.
7. Launch
Launching the app on Apple App Store and Google Play Store is the next step. It involves adhering to each platform’s guidelines to ensure successful submission. Besides, the deployment also includes setting up backend infrastructure on cloud services, ensuring scalability and reliability to handle user traffic. Once the app is released, continuously monitoring its performance and collecting user feedback is also necessary for its continued success.
8. Ongoing Support and Maintenance
A fitness app with after-launch support and maintenance has a higher chance of long-term success. This phase involves continuously checking the app for bugs, updating it with the latest features, troubleshooting the glitches, and upgrading it to support the new operating system versions.
Features That Make a Fitness Mobile Application Like Peloton Stand Out
For a health and fitness app to be successful, it must have features that make it easy for users to access the services. Have a look at some features that the Peloton-like fitness app offers:
Sign up and Sign in
This is a basic feature for almost every fitness and wellness application. It allows new users to register for the app by entering the required information or directly through social media accounts or email IDs.
User Profile
The feature enables users to set and track their fitness goals and weight. It offers them a dashboard where they can check perks and achievements, set dietary preferences, and more. They can even check before and after photos.
Workout Options
With this feature, users can choose from a variety of workouts, such as cycling, strength training, pilates, yoga and meditation, cardio, HIIT, running, walking, and more, as per their fitness goals.
Workout Planner
With a workout planner, users can schedule their workouts in the calendar and check a timeline to track their progress. Based on this progress, they can revamp their fitness goals.
Maps and Routes
This feature is essential if your app offers outdoor workout options such as cycling, running, and walking. Users can automatically set markers to achieve a particular goal and check out statistics like speed and pace, etc.
Push Notifications
With this feature, users can get instant notifications about their workout schedule, new fitness-related content published on the app, rewards they get, and workout pending for the week.
Meal Plans and Calorie Counter
It is one of the essential features of a fitness application that enables users to plan their meals and track calorie intake. You can even provide them the option to upload pictures of their meals and check their nutritional status or values.
Fitness-related Content
This feature educates users about fitness-related facts and information that attracts users. To add versatility, you can add fitness content in the form of audio, videos, and blogs. On one side, it will educate users and on the other side, it improves user engagement.
Integration with Wearable
Earlier, it was an advanced feature, but now due to the popularity and growing usage of wearable devices, integration with wearables has become a crucial feature. It enables users to track their fitness anytime, anywhere.
Track Progress and Performance Metrics
With this feature, users can track weekly or daily progress, like the number of steps taken or the type of workout performed. The performance metrics features allows them to get insights or data based on which they can improvise their fitness goals.
Social Media Sharing
The social media sharing feature not only allows users to share their fitness achievements with their friends and family but also works in the favor of your app by promoting it on popular platforms.
Multi-payment Options
Integrating a secure payment gateway that allows users to pay for fitness-related premium services, subscriptions, or content is also a crucial feature of any fitness mobile application.
AI-posture Detection
The feature leverages the capabilities of artificial intelligence to detect postures during a workout. Doing any exercise or workout in the right form increases its effectiveness and also keeps injuries at bay.
Benefits of Developing a Fitness App Like Peloton
Fitness mobile applications create a win-win situation for both users and businesses. While they help users to work out anywhere anytime, they enable app owners to establish a strong foothold in the market to drive profitability and success.
Here are some amazing advantages of fitness applications:
1. Market Demand and Growth
The demand for different types of fitness apps, especially at-home workout apps, has grown multifold over the past few years. This demand and market growth will only increase as people become attentive towards their health and fitness and look for personalized fitness services, which a fitness app can deliver.
2. Revenue Generation
A fitness app like Peloton enables businesses to explore multiple revenue streams, including subscription plans, in-app advertisements, access to premium fitness-related content, and in-app purchases. Besides, partnerships with fitness equipment companies or brands willing to sell their products via your app can also boost revenue.
3. High User Engagement
Fitness mobile apps like Peloton come up with exceptional features like live and on-demand yoga classes or workout sessions. Besides, these apps have gamification elements that motivate users to participate in fitness-related discussions, challenges, or events, increasing engagement and retention rates.
Learn how gamification can make a fitness app engaging: Make Your Fitness App More Engaging with Gamification.
4. Brand Building and Recognition
Developing a fitness app similar to Peloton is an easy way to build your brand and gain recognition in the health and fitness sector. Such an app can offer users high-quality fitness-related content, expert guidance by fitness instructors or trainers, and the option of choosing different workouts, fostering a reputed brand image and boosting its visibility.
5. Global Reach and Accessibility
A fitness app breaks all geographical barriers, enabling you to reach a global audience. With such an app, you can target people of all ages by offering yoga, strength training, cardio, HIIT, and other types of fitness exercises. These accessibility features promote inclusivity and a broader market appeal.
6. Scalability
A health and fitness mobile app built by a reputed fitness app development company, offers scalability, making it easy to expand your offerings as your user base grows. It means you can seamlessly add new workout categories, advanced training programs, and additional features, keeping your app competitive.
How to Make Money Using a Fitness Mobile App like Peloton?
Now that you know almost everything about Peloton, let’s understand the most crucial thing, i.e., the monetization model of a Peloton-like fitness mobile application.
In-app Advertising
With this monetization model, you can display targeted advertisements and easily generate revenue. Two things you need to consider are- that the ad is relevant and that its placement and timing are right. For example, you can display advertisements for fitness products, health supplements, etc. Similarly, display the ad during non-intrusive moments, such as in the banner, after a workout session, and while browsing content. It doesn’t impact user experience while still providing a steady income stream.
Freemium Model
This type of monetization model allows users to access the basic features for free and pay for the advanced features or premium content. For example, users can access free workouts and do basic fitness tracking; however, they pay for enhanced functionalities such as personalized training plans, critical insights to improve fitness performance, and more. The freemium model encourages user engagement and conversion, leveraging the app’s free offerings to demonstrate its worth and drive upgrades.
Subscription-based
Premium subscriptions enable users to access exclusive content, advanced features, and personalized training plans. They can render other amazing offerings such as live classes, one-on-one coaching sessions, and performance monitoring. Based on the data received, users can improve their performance or fitness goals. Moreover, by continuously updating and enhancing premium features, the app retains subscribers and attracts new users seeking a comprehensive fitness experience.
In-app Purchases
You can implement this model in two ways. One is by collaborating with fitness brands and promoting their products and the other is by selling your own fitness accessories, equipment, and clothing. The latter will also make your app a fitness marketplace, enabling users to get end-to-end fitness services from purchasing fitness gear to getting fitness-related services. It can drive significant revenue while enhancing the user experience by providing customized and flexible fitness solutions.
Besides, you can also monetize health and fitness data to make money from your fitness apps. Read more here: How to Monetize Health and Fitness Data.
Trending Technologies to Integrate into Your Health and Fitness App
Anyone can build a fitness app like Peloton, however, it takes additional effort to make yours stand out from the competition. One way of doing this is to integrate the latest technologies, such as AI, ML, AR, VR, Blockchain, and IoT, into your app. These technologies can expand the functionality and enhance user experience, paving the way for your app’s success.
1. AI/ML
Artificial intelligence and machine learning make the most of data to deliver critical insights, embed personalization, and train the app to self-learn to understand each user’s unique needs and behavior.
Use Cases of AI/ML in Fitness Apps
- Personalized Training Plans and Content Recommendations
Artificial intelligence can help customize training plans or workout programs based on each individual’s fitness level, goals, and progress.
- Posture Detection and Correction
AI-powered fitness apps can provide real-time feedback on exercise’s posture or form to improve its effectiveness and prevent injuries.
- Data-driven Insights
Both AI and ML are known for processing enormous amounts of data to make sense of it, helping data-driven decision-making.
- Predictive Analytics
Machine learning can predict user performance trends and recommend adjustments to enhance workout performance and results.
2. AR/VR
Augmented reality and virtual reality technologies take fitness to another level by creating exceptionally immersive and engaging workout environments. The former overlays digital elements to the physical world, whereas the latter takes users to a virtual fitness world to deliver a lifelike experience. For example, users can feel like working out in a scenic location.
Use Cases of AR/VR in Fitness Apps
- Virtual Group Fitness Classes
VR technology enables users to enter live or pre-recorded fitness classes and perform exercises as if they are present there.
- Interactive Fitness Training
The augmented reality technology offers users real-time instructions during workouts to improve technique.
- Gamification
Both technologies improve user experience by adding interactive challenges and fitness-related competitions, boosting engagement.
- Real-like Personal Trainings
AR and VR technologies can help fitness enthusiasts get real-like personal training by conducting interactive one-on-one sessions with trainers.
3. Blockchain
Blockchain has a decentralized nature that enhances security, transparency, and trust in health and fitness apps that deal with sensitive user information. A blockchain-powered fitness app can verify and accelerate transactions made to access premium fitness content, subscribe to paid services, and facilitate in-app purchases.
Use Cases of Blockchain in Fitness Apps
- Secure Data Storage
The technology enhances the security of data users share during registration, transactions, and accessing the fitness content.
- Execute Transparent Transactions
Owing to its immutable nature, blockchain enables businesses to integrate a transparent and tamper-proof payment or subscription system in the fitness app.
- Rewards Management
Blockchain-enabled tokens can be used to reward users upon achieving their fitness goals, improving engagement and ensuring verifiable incentives.
- Interoperability
With blockchain, your fitness app can facilitate the seamless sharing of fitness-related information across different platforms. For example, it can be directly shared with your healthcare provider to assess your health.
Read more here: The Role and Impact of Blockchain in the Fitness Industry
4. Internet of Things (IoT)
The IoT technology does magic when connecting your fitness application to wearable devices and fitness equipment. Users can access real-time fitness data from any device without carrying their smartphone.
Use Cases of IoT in Fitness Apps
- Wearable Integration
The Internet of Things enables easy accessibility of fitness apps from smartwatches and fitness trackers, allowing users to track fitness anywhere anytime.
- Health Monitoring
IoT-enabled fitness applications enable users to monitor vital signs, sleep quality, and other crucial health-related information.
- Home Gym Automation
Integrating IoT into fitness apps can automate home gym environments by adjusting lighting, temperature, and other gym equipment settings, delivering comfort and boosting motivation.
Besides the aforementioned ones, the fitness industry is being transformed by many other technologies such as big data analytics and metaverse. If you want to explore more about them, read this blog: Digital Transformation in The Fitness Industry.
Cost of Developing a Fitness App Similar to Peloton
The cost of developing a fitness app Similar to Peloton depends on multiple factors, including the following:
- Complexity and type of fitness app (native, cross-platform, or hybrid)
- Features and functionalities you want to add
- Experience and geographic location of the fitness app development company or developers
- Third-party integrations
- Technology stack
- After-launch support and maintenance services
If you want an accurate cost estimation, prepare a list of your unique requirements and share it with a reputed fitness app development company.
Tips to Choose the Best Fitness App Development Company
After thoroughly understanding the fitness app development process, let’s look at some tips that can help you connect with a reliable partner or hire fitness app developers from a reputed company.
- Look for customization; make sure the company offers custom fitness app development services.
- Ensure the company has hands-on experience in advanced technology in artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, augmented reality, virtual reality, and blockchain.
- Check its clients’ ratings and reviews to understand their delivery timelines, project management practices, tech expertise, and work quality.
- Make sure the company adheres to the latest industry standards and compliance such as GDPR and HIPPA.
- Check its data security practices and also ensure it signs an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) to ensure the project’s confidentiality.
- Choose a company that offers after-deployment support and maintenance services to ensure the app’s optimal performance and smooth functioning.
- Ensure the company builds scalable fitness apps so that you don’t find any difficulty in expanding your business horizon or workout categories.
- Verify that the company maintains regular updates and is open to feedback throughout the development.
Conclusion
With more and more people becoming aware of the need and benefits of adopting a fit lifestyle, the demand for fitness apps like Peloton is growing exponentially. On one side, these apps provide users a platform to access thousands of workouts and do them at their convenience. On the other side, developing a Peloton-like app highlights the lucrative potential for businesses.
If you are a business planning to build a fitness app like Peloton or want to know about fitness apps in detail, this guide is for you. Here you can read about essential features, user benefits, the development process, and effective monetization models of a successful fitness app. This guide also provides tips that can help you connect with the best fitness app development company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. 1 What is Peloton fitness app?
The Peloton fitness app offers users seamless access to fitness-related services, workout sessions, and training programs for home, outdoor, and gym exercise. They can access the app from smartphones, tablets, and even smart televisions.
From cycling, running, strength training, yoga, cardio, meditation, and stretching, users can select a workout as per their body requirements or unique fitness goals.
Q.2 What are the benefits of the Peloton app?
With a fitness app like Peloton, you can get the following benefits:
- Market Demand and Growth
- Revenue Generation
- High User Engagement
- Brand Building and Recognition
- Global Reach and Accessibility
- Scalability
Q.3 How to create an app like Peloton?
Creating a Peloton-like fitness application requires an individual or business to connect with a professional fitness app development company or hire fitness app developers. Most reputed and experienced fitness app development services providers follow the following steps for Peloton-like application development:
- Planning and market research
- Defining the app type
- Selecting the tech stack
- UI/UX designing
- Development
- Testing
- Launch
- Ongoing support and maintenance
Q.4 What makes a good fitness app?
According to recent trends in the fitness industry, these are crucial factors that make a good fitness app:
- Intuitive design, personalization, and user-friendly interface.
- A multitude of workouts.
- Effortless access to fitness-related content
- An option to customize plans
- An option for goal setting and progress tracking
- Multi-device and multi-language support
- Integration with other tools
- Gamification and reminders
Q.5 What are some fitness app features that make it successful?
While we have already covered them in this blog, let’s quickly look at them again:
- Workout options
- Workout planner
- Maps and routes
- Push notifications
- Meal plans and calorie counter
- Fitness-related content
- Integration with wearable
- Track progress and performance metrics
- Social media sharing
- Multiple payment options
Q.6 What are the popular monetization models for a Peloton-like fitness app?
Here are some ways to make money from a fitness application:
Subscription-based model
Freemium model
In-app advertisements
Q.7 How long does it take to build a fitness application similar to Peloton?
The time required to develop a fitness app depends on the app’s type, size, features, complexities, and other similar factors. The development may take from a few months to up to a year based on your unique project requirements.
Q.8 What are the different types of fitness apps?
If you want to build any other type of fitness app, then here are some options to choose from:
- Fitness and workout apps
- Diet and nutrition apps
- Fitness activity tracking apps
- Yoga and meditation apps
- Personal trainer apps