Mobile app development in the fitness industry has taken off at a rapid pace in recent years, as health enthusiasts discover the many benefits of using a fitness app to track and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The convenient and cost-effective nature of these apps is another major reason for its increased adoption among health-conscious individuals.

Studies show that more and more companies, including sportswear manufacturers, are today likely to be a developing fitness app to meet the growing demand for fitness apps. According to the Global Fitness App Market 2017-2021 report, the global fitness app industry is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 29.45 percent for the 2017-2021 period, driven mainly by the expected surge in the size of the mobile app development market to $100 billion by 2022.

With the help of fitness apps, health and fitness fanatics are finding it easier to meet their fitness goals. Yet others are using these apps to monitor and fight different health problems, such as alcohol dependency and smoking addiction. In fact, there are several major benefits of using mobile fitness apps, and these, coupled with the combination of more health-conscious individuals and widespread mobile device penetration is driving the need for companies and gyms to consider developing fitness apps.

Below are some of the main advantages of developing fitness apps.

  1. Personalized workout plans Through fitness apps, gyms and companies can offer individuals an easy way to set realistic fitness goals and track their progress. Fitness app users can also get customized workout plans based on their schedule and current fitness level. Apps like Sworkit require users to key in details of the type of activity they’re seeking, particular areas of their body that they want to focus on, and the amount of time they have, based on which it provides a personalized workout schedule for the user.
  2. Provide workout ideas and training materials For people who are pressed for time, fitness apps are a great way to stay healthy and fit. Different fitness apps facilitate the streaming of workout videos and training materials. For those who are travelling or unable to make time to go to the gym every day, apps like Fitnet offer less than 10-minute workout programs, aimed at getting the maximum fitness benefit without sacrificing on your time. Similarly, apps like Blogilates features workout videos, monthly workout calendar, and online forums, while the Daily Yoga app comes with more than 50 yoga class videos aimed at improving your flexibility, strength, and stamina.
  3. Track and reward healthy lifestyle practices Fitness apps are today being seen as a major motivator for individuals seeking healthier lifestyles. By tracking one’s diet, health, exercise, and fitness activities, individuals are better equipped to understand where they stand in their fitness journey and move towards achieving their fitness goals. In addition, many mobile fitness apps also feature virtual challenges, online workout communities, and rewards for reaching various stages of an individual’s fitness target. This, in turn, provides further encouragement to individuals to stay committed to their fitness goals.
  4. Connect with health-enthusiasts to stay accountable Peer pressure has always been an effective way to increase accountability for individuals in their pursuit of a particular goal. This is true also in terms of their fitness goals. Apps that provide individuals with the option to join group workout programs or share their progress with online communities and social media networks are more likely to stay committed to their fitness plans. Many gyms are developing fitness apps that provide a “check-in” feature for their regular customers. This allows gym-goers to check in via their mobile fitness apps every time they are at the gym, thus ensuring greater accountability on their part with regards to their workout plans.
  5. Integration with wearable and trackers There is a growing need for mobile fitness apps to be ever more intelligent and provide users with consolidated health information by integrating with other wearable and trackers. In meet this need, fitness apps must act as a one-stop-shop for users’ health and fitness records. In doing so, it helps users get a quick overview of all their health and fitness-related activities and information, without the need for opening up different apps. For example, Apple’s Health app pulls together data from wearable devices, such as the Apple Watch, trackers such as fitness and sleep trackers, and mobile phone, to give all the information in one place. Similarly, Apple’s API HealthKit allows third-party apps such as Nike+ Run Club, Garmin Connect, and MyFitnessPal to pool in different kinds of information such as body temperature and blood pressure levels, fitness activity and nutritional data, to the Apple Health app.
  6. Monitor and fight health problems With the increasing rate of health problems stemming from unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits, mobile apps are serving as a useful tool for the healthcare and medical industry to help patients find a convenient way to monitor their health. Many fitness apps today come with features that allow people to track their health and fight specific health problems. For example, fitness apps come armed with the option to monitor your sleeping habits, blood pressure levels, heartbeat rate, glucose levels, and much more.

To sum up, mobile app development in the healthcare industry has proven to be a boon for fitness enthusiasts eyeing an affordable, yet convenient and effective way to stay healthy and fit. As people become more and more health conscious and tech-savvy, mobile app development will serve as a vital tool for key players in the fitness industry to not only survive, but thrive.