Gradient Connect
Building Community Through Fitness
Gradient Connect is a mobile platform designed to foster connections among gym members and health enthusiasts. The app enables users to share health-related content and engage with others at their home gym, promoting a sense of community and accountability in fitness journeys.
As the lead product designer, I guided the project from concept to launch—crafting an experience that makes it easy for users to find workout partners, stay informed about their gym’s offerings, and feel a stronger sense of community.
This project was an opportunity to blend social UX patterns with hyper-local engagement, ultimately increasing user motivation and gym loyalty.
Live Product:
Gradient Connect
Gradient Connect
Deliverables:
Mobile App, Website, Design System
Mobile App, Website, Design System
Project Type:
Full End-to-End Product Design
Full End-to-End Product Design
Team:
Product Designer (me), CEO, Software Engineers (3)
Product Designer (me), CEO, Software Engineers (3)
Business Goal
To create a platform that connects gym members based on location and fitness interests, enhancing user engagement and promoting a sense of community within gyms.
User Impact Goal
To provide users with a supportive environment that encourages consistent engagement, accountability, and shared health and wellness experiences.
Design Process
01 / Research & Ideation
To understand how users interact socially within gym environments, I conducted interviews with gym-goers aged 20–35. The research revealed that most users craved connection: 80% wanted to meet others with similar goals, 70% felt more motivated when working out with a partner, and 60% were unaware of community events and updates at their gym. I also conducted a competitive analysis of fitness and social platforms to identify gaps in localized, gym-specific engagement features.
To understand how users interact socially within gym environments, I conducted interviews with gym-goers aged 20–35. The research revealed that most users craved connection: 80% wanted to meet others with similar goals, 70% felt more motivated when working out with a partner, and 60% were unaware of community events and updates at their gym. I also conducted a competitive analysis of fitness and social platforms to identify gaps in localized, gym-specific engagement features.
02 / Flow Mapping
I mapped out user journeys around key features like joining a home gym, entering its chat environment, customizing a profile, posting workouts, and following others. Special attention was given to differentiating between global app interactions (following users, DMs) and local ones (gym chatrooms, trainer access). Each path was designed to feel seamless and intuitive—especially for users new to fitness communities.
I mapped out user journeys around key features like joining a home gym, entering its chat environment, customizing a profile, posting workouts, and following others. Special attention was given to differentiating between global app interactions (following users, DMs) and local ones (gym chatrooms, trainer access). Each path was designed to feel seamless and intuitive—especially for users new to fitness communities.
03 / Wireframes
Low-fidelity wireframes helped validate layout decisions and organize complex social features into digestible flows. These included the gym connect hub, group chats, the workout tracker, and social feed interactions like stories and likes. Wireframing early helped ensure scalability and consistency across different types of user-generated content.
Low-fidelity wireframes helped validate layout decisions and organize complex social features into digestible flows. These included the gym connect hub, group chats, the workout tracker, and social feed interactions like stories and likes. Wireframing early helped ensure scalability and consistency across different types of user-generated content.
04 / Concept Designs
I explored visual directions that balanced energy and trust. Colors, type, and iconography were chosen to evoke motivation without overwhelming the user. The design system emphasized hierarchy and clarity—especially within chatrooms and logs where content can easily get cluttered.
I explored visual directions that balanced energy and trust. Colors, type, and iconography were chosen to evoke motivation without overwhelming the user. The design system emphasized hierarchy and clarity—especially within chatrooms and logs where content can easily get cluttered.
05 / Final Designs
The final product included gym-specific chatrooms (e.g., lifting, yoga, basketball), direct messaging, a personal feed and story system, and a clean workout tracker that allowed users to log sessions and post them socially. Profiles were built to showcase fitness stats like max lifts or longest runs, with sections for workout history, liked photos, and custom images. Each element was crafted to encourage daily engagement, whether for logging progress or casually checking in with the gym community.
The final product included gym-specific chatrooms (e.g., lifting, yoga, basketball), direct messaging, a personal feed and story system, and a clean workout tracker that allowed users to log sessions and post them socially. Profiles were built to showcase fitness stats like max lifts or longest runs, with sections for workout history, liked photos, and custom images. Each element was crafted to encourage daily engagement, whether for logging progress or casually checking in with the gym community.
06 / Implementation & Growth
I worked closely with engineering to implement the design system and ensure fidelity during development. Usability tests during sprints revealed small UX friction points (especially within chat navigation), which we addressed with layout tweaks and clearer CTAs. Post-launch, we monitored feature adoption—stories and gym chats saw the highest early engagement.
I worked closely with engineering to implement the design system and ensure fidelity during development. Usability tests during sprints revealed small UX friction points (especially within chat navigation), which we addressed with layout tweaks and clearer CTAs. Post-launch, we monitored feature adoption—stories and gym chats saw the highest early engagement.
User Flow Map
Sign Up/In
Feed & Profile
Gym Connect
Next Steps
We're currently planning to expand the platform with features like gym-hosted event and workout class sign-ups, as well as personalized workout suggestions powered by AI. These additions aim to deepen user engagement, increase trainer interaction, and make the app a more comprehensive fitness companion.
Round-Up
Gradient Connect was about transforming the gym experience into something more social, supportive, and community-driven. By designing features that meet users where they are—at their gym, with their people—I helped build a product that encourages consistency and connection.
