Luhan — Portfolio

Project Overview

What is the project

The HERCS Mobile App and eBell transform weightlifting with smart, real-time tracking and optimization

Launched in 2021 by a passionate team of NYC fitness enthusiasts, HERCS™ introduces eBell—an innovative, auto-detecting fitness attachment designed for weightlifters. Coupled with a versatile mobile app, eBell adapts to various gym equipment, providing users with real-time tracking, personalized feedback, and AI-driven training insights.

Target Audience

Fitness tracking fails both beginners and enthusiasts-Here's Why

We talked to 12 weightlighters across various fitness levels to explore their tracking experiences. Our user research map pinpoints issues like exercise choice overwhelm, personalized workout plans, and guidance gaps.

🤯 Overwhelming options and unclear relevance left users paralyzed by choice.

📉 Rigid, one-size-fits-all routines failed to adapt to individual progress or needs.

🧩 craved tailored feedback but found only vague or generic guidance.

Project Goal

How might we provide weightlifters with accurate, real-time tracking and personalized guidance to effectively optimize their workouts?

The Solution

Smart, Adaptive Fitness Tracking—boosting engagement 13.7% and user satisfiction 23.3%

With the challenges of target audience clearly identified, we’ve designed a user journey that improves their workout experience.

Timeline

I started the project in Feb 2023, and for about 7 months, I took ownership of the HERCS App design to the stage where we are preparing for the App to launch. On the side, I also designed HERCS’ website which was launched in July 2023.

Design Journey

What preparations did I make for the design phase? Let's explore my design journey!

Competitor Analysis

We found that individuals commonly enhance their fitness through personalized workout plans, strength-building exercises, and active participation in fitness communities

We selected a leading company from each category for our study.

Fitbod

Personalized fitness plans and tracking.

Tonal

Guided strength training, real-time feedback, and data analysis

Peloton

Interactive fitness with live classes, metrics, and community

Fitbod

Personalized fitness plans and tracking.

Tonal

Guided strength training, real-time feedback, and data analysis

Peloton

Interactive fitness with live classes, metrics, and community

Design Goals

The goals focus on creating a seamless and engaging user experience that meets weightlifters' immediate needs and promotes long-term satisfaction.

Personalized Planning

Personalized fitness plans and tracking. Enable easy setup of tailored workout plans based on individual goals and fitness levels.

Real-Time Interaction and Support

Provide live tracking and feedback to adjust performance on-the-go, with an easy-to-use interface.

Reflection and Progress Tracking

Offer detailed analytics and progress reviews post-workout, with tools to set new goals and adjust plans based on achievements.

Personalized Planning

Personalized fitness plans and tracking. Enable easy setup of tailored workout plans based on individual goals and fitness levels.

Real-Time Interaction and Support

Provide live tracking and feedback to adjust performance on-the-go, with an easy-to-use interface.

Reflection and Progress Tracking

Offer detailed analytics and progress reviews post-workout, with tools to set new goals and adjust plans based on achievements.

Initial Ideation

How can we integrate HERCS's experience into the current user journey to help resolving the pain points?

Our design process was driven by direct insights from user interviews, which led to an initial wireframe. We focused on addressing user-identified pain points by integrating personalized workout recommendations, real-time tracking with eBell, and detailed post-workout analytics.

Design Case Study:

Solution

Seamless Connection Alerts - Two Modes for Undisturbed Workout Notifications

Challenge

Users need to be confident that their fitness device is accurately tracking and recording their workout data without constant checking, which can disrupt their exercise flow.

Approach

Our design solution emphasizes clarity and assurance through visual cues. When eBell is connected to the app, the interface switches to a 'Connected Mode' which uses bold visual elements like a distinct background color, a standout main CTA color, and a clear footnote indicating that the eBell is successfully linked. This design ensures users like Andrew can start their workouts with peace of mind, knowing all their data is being recorded without needing to keep their phone within constant reach.

Testing & Iterations

How do you prefer to be notified when eBell is successfully connected to your app?

We explored various methods to notify users when eBell is successfully connected to the app, testing different visual and auditory signals for clarity and immediacy.

Option 1

Show Relevant Info

Not Connected

eBell Connected

Option 2

Dual Modes

Not Connected

eBell Connected

Option 1

Show Relevant Info

Not Connected

eBell Connected

Option 2

Dual Modes

Not Connected

eBell Connected

Testing Insights

How can we best indicate eBell’s connection status to enhance user experience?

Visual Preference

Users preferred visual cues for confirming eBell’s connection.

Dual Modes Introduced

We introduced 'Connected' and 'Not Connected' modes—Connected uses bold visuals; Not Connected offers subtler cues.

Enhanced Focus

These modes reduce the need for constant device checks, improving user focus during workouts.

Visual Preference

Users preferred visual cues for confirming eBell’s connection.

Dual Modes Introduced

We introduced 'Connected' and 'Not Connected' modes—Connected uses bold visuals; Not Connected offers subtler cues.

Enhanced Focus

These modes reduce the need for constant device checks, improving user focus during workouts.

Design Case Study:

Solution

Automated Tracking - Effortless, Hands-Free Data Logging

Tracking-Reps

Tracking-Sets

Tracking-Reps

Tracking-Sets

Challenge

Traditional fitness tracking apps often require manual input for each exercise, which can disrupt the flow of a workout and add unnecessary complexity.

Approach

We developed HERCS eBell to provide a hands-free tracking solution. By integrating an automatic checkmark system, eBell records sets effortlessly as users perform them. For users accustomed to traditional methods or those whose devices are not connected, manual logging capabilities are also available, ensuring flexibility and user preference accommodation.

Testing & Iterations

How can we further improve usability and access through design changes?

Through user feedback and testing, we evolved our app from a full-screen metric display to an interactive drawer layout, creating a seamless interface that easily integrates detailed tracking with accessible workout plans.

Testing Insights

How did user testing drive the evolution of our workout tracking interface?

Initial Insights

The full-screen dashboard excelled in displaying metrics but limited quick workout plan adjustments, indicating a need for better accessibility

Mid-Stage Feedback

The bento-style layout enhanced viewing of metrics and exercises but lacked easy access to the full exercise list, leading to further revisions

Final Adaptations

The interactive drawer design resolved earlier issues by merging detailed metric tracking with easy access to workout plans, validated by positive user feedback

Initial Insights

The full-screen dashboard excelled in displaying metrics but limited quick workout plan adjustments, indicating a need for better accessibility

Mid-Stage Feedback

The bento-style layout enhanced viewing of metrics and exercises but lacked easy access to the full exercise list, leading to further revisions

Final Adaptations

The interactive drawer design resolved earlier issues by merging detailed metric tracking with easy access to workout plans, validated by positive user feedback

Project Takeaways

Working on the HERCS eBell project was a deep dive into the world of innovative technology—a real testament to the power of user research in shaping a standout user experience. Engaging directly with users from varied fitness backgrounds, I got firsthand insights into their challenges and needs. This wasn't just about adjusting features; it was about evolving them in real-time, together with our team, to align perfectly with what users wanted. The process was intense, but incredibly rewarding. The feedback loop and subsequent refinements showed just how responsive design can transform user interaction. If given more time, I’d push even further, exploring deeper customization to tailor the experience to individual preferences, possibly adding predictive analytics to offer insights before users even know they need them.

About

Work

Playground

About

Work

Playground

Designing an auto-tracking fitness app for HERCS

The HERCS Mobile App and eBell transform weightlifting with smart, real-time tracking and optimization

Fitness tracking fails both beginners and enthusiasts-Here's Why

Fitness tracking fails both beginners and enthusiasts-Here's Why

🤯 Overwhelming options and unclear relevance left users paralyzed by choice.

📉 Rigid, one-size-fits-all routines failed to adapt to individual progress or needs.

🧩 craved tailored feedback but found only vague or generic guidance.

How might we provide weightlifters with accurate, real-time tracking and personalized guidance to effectively optimize their workouts?

Smart, Adaptive Fitness Tracking—boosting engagement 13.7% and user satisfiction 23.3%

Smart, Adaptive Fitness Tracking—boosting engagement 13.7% and user satisfiction 23.3%

I started the project in Feb 2023, and for about 7 months, I took ownership of the HERCS App design to the stage where we are preparing for the App to launch. On the side, I also designed HERCS’ website which was launched in July 2023.

What preparations did I make for the design phase? Let's explore my design journey!

We found that individuals commonly enhance their fitness through personalized workout plans, strength-building exercises, and active participation in fitness communities

The goals focus on creating a seamless and engaging user experience that meets weightlifters' immediate needs and promotes long-term satisfaction.

How can we integrate HERCS's experience into the current user journey to help resolving the pain points?

Seamless Connection Alerts - Two Modes for Undisturbed Workout Notifications

Challenge

Approach

How do you prefer to be notified when eBell is successfully connected to your app?

How do you prefer to be notified when eBell is successfully connected to your app?

How can we best indicate eBell’s connection status to enhance user experience?

Automated Tracking - Effortless, Hands-Free Data Logging

Challenge

Approach

How can we further improve usability and access through design changes?

How can we further improve usability and access through design changes?

How did user testing drive the evolution of our workout tracking interface?

More work