In recent times, the demand for fitness apps has surged, driven by the global shift towards virtual fitness amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a 2022 report, the worldwide fitness app market is projected to reach approximately US$19.33 billion in 2023, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.6% anticipated between 2021 and 2028. This article will delve into the steps involved in creating a successful fitness app.

Types of Fitness Apps

1. Activity Tracking App

This category of application records users’ physical activities, including metrics like calories burned, distance covered, stairs climbed, hours of sleep, and step count.

2. Diet and Nutrition Apps

These apps assist users in monitoring their food habits, body weight, and caloric intake. They may also feature engaging elements such as competitions and recipe collections.

3. Workout Apps

Workout apps provide users with access to personalized training plans and virtual trainers, allowing them to select trainers based on their fitness level.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Fitness App

Step 1: Formulating a Development Strategy

The fitness app industry, despite challenges posed by lockdowns, was valued at approximately 4.4 billion USD in 2020. To succeed, it’s crucial to:

  1. Identify Market Needs: Understand the target audience’s demographics, interests, and behaviors to stand out in the market.
  2. Select the Right Platforms: Ensure the app is compatible with both mobile phones and computers for maximum reach.
  3. Compliance Adherence: Strictly follow compliance regulations, including those similar to a Practo clone, to safeguard users’ health information.

Step 2: Designing the App’s Workflow

  1. Sketching: Use preferred applications for designing the icon and UI. This stage includes creating navigation bars, developing layouts, and saving symbols.
  2. Wireframing: Create a blueprint of the app’s design, emphasizing the navigation system.
  3. Prototyping: Develop a unique prototype to showcase the app’s functionality and appearance.
  4. Design App Skins: Design individual screens (UI/UX) for the application.

Step 3: Development & Quality Assurance

  1. Front-end Development: Focus on the client side, ensuring a seamless user experience and attractive design.
  2. Back-end Development: Monitor the app’s functionality on the server side, handling databases and server components.
  3. Quality Check and Testing: Conduct thorough testing to identify and resolve defects, including manual and automated testing.

Also Read: How To Build A Fitness Tracking App?

Key Features of a Fitness App

  1. Customized Diet Plans: Provide users with personalized diet plans tailored to their preferences and needs.
  2. Goals and Tracker: Enable users to set and monitor fitness goals, tracking metrics like calories burned and steps taken.
  3. Push Notifications: Remind users to update their workout data, enhancing user engagement and retention.
  4. Social Sharing: Foster a sense of community by allowing users to compete and share achievements with friends.

Decoding the Expenses: Diverse Categories of Fitness Apps

Initiating the estimation of fitness app development expenses commences with the selection of the app’s category. At this juncture, the choice between cross-platform and native development takes a backseat to the primary objective: defining the app’s purpose. Here are the categories to deliberate upon:

1. Workout Apps

Empowering users to track fitness progress and providing guidance on correct exercise techniques.

2. Personal Trainer Apps

In-depth tutorials on executing specific exercises for maximal efficacy and minimal risk of injury.

3. Logbook Apps

Furnishing users with a training journal to record diverse workouts and sustain a consistent training regimen.

4. IoT-Integrated Workout Apps

Enhancing sports enthusiasts’ experiences by delivering precise tracking data through IoT devices.

5. Nutrition Apps

Enabling accurate monitoring of calorie intake, water balance, and calories burned.

6. Activity Tracking Apps

Equipping users with tools to monitor their activity levels, including steps taken, calories burnt, and fitness sessions completed.

Time Investment: How Long Does App Development Take?

Another critical step in calculating fitness app development costs is identifying essential features and determining the time required for their realization. Assess these features in terms of the hours needed:

  • Registration, login, authentication, and password recovery: Approximately 60 hours.
  • User profile compilation: Around 20 hours of development time.
  • Integration with social media: Ranging from 20 to 40 hours.
  • Push notifications: About 30 hours.
  • Personal information forms: Up to 30 hours.
  • Goal setting functionality: Approximately 20 hours.
  • App settings panel: About 30 hours.
  • Personalized exercise database: A complex feature, potentially requiring up to 80 hours.
  • Pedometer and sleep monitoring: About 50 hours.
  • Geolocation integration: About 40 hours.

Should premium features be on your agenda, consider these timeframes:

  • Live-streaming feature: Up to 120 hours.
  • Gamification element: Taking anywhere from 40 to 100 hours.
  • IoT device integration: Up to 100 hours.

In tandem with feature development, allocate 30-40 hours for preparatory work and up to 20 hours for the app production process. It’s evident that crafting a fitness app demands a considerable investment of time. However, partnering with a resource like nCube, boasting a network of 100,000 developers and an average 20-day team launch, can significantly expedite the process.

Cost Considerations for Fitness App Development

The cost of developing a fitness app varies by region. Here’s an approximate breakdown:

  • USA:
    • Android: $25,000-$50,000
    • iOS: $50,000-$70,000
    • Web: $25,000-$70,000
    • Cross-Platform: $35,000-$80,000
  • India:
    • Android: ₹30,000-₹300,000
    • iOS: ₹50,000-₹400,000
    • Web: ₹100,000-₹200,000
    • Cross-Platform: ₹70,000-₹700,000
  • UK:
    • Android: £28,000
    • iOS: £40,000
    • Web: £5,000-£25,000
    • Cross-Platform: £53,000
  • Australia:
    • Android: $50,000-$250,000
    • iOS: $120,000-$350,000
    • Web: $15,000-$50,000
    • Cross-Platform: $50,000-$250,000
  • UAE:
    • Android: 5,000-100,000 Dirham
    • iOS: 10,000-20,000 Dirham
    • Web: 25,000-80,000 Dirham
    • Cross-Platform: 20,000-50,000 Dirham

Crunching the Numbers: Total Development Costs

Now, with the type of fitness app and feature development timelines in sight, it’s time to piece together the financial puzzle. The cost of crafting a fitness application in its Minimum Viable Product (MVP) form ranges from $30,000 to $50,000. Should you aim for a comprehensive, feature-rich app, budget for up to 1,000 development hours and potential costs of up to $300,000. Additionally, keep in mind that platform choice—be it Android, iOS, or cross-platform—can also influence development expenses.

Top Fitness Apps in 2023

  1. MyFitnessPal: Offers a vast exercise library, calorie tracking, and goal setting.
  2. Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer: Provides various workout routines with on-screen instructions.
  3. Fooducate: Educates users about food and provides weight loss guidance.
  4. Glo: Offers daily updates and a wide range of workouts including yoga and meditation.
  5. JEFIT: Tracks workout sessions, provides customized weight training, and access to a library of exercises.

Tech Stack for Fitness App Development

  • Front-end: CSS, jQuery, JavaScript, HTML
  • Back-end: .NET, Python, Java, PHP, Ruby on Rails
  • Database: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Memcached, Cassandra, MariaDB, SQLite, Redis, InfluxDB, Riak DB

Monetization Models for Fitness Apps

  • In-App Ads: Display native ads, banners, video interstitials, etc.
  • Paid Membership: Offer premium features through subscription plans.
  • Selling Products: Sell fitness-related products within the app.
  • Transaction Fee: Implement a small fee on app purchases.
  • Early Alerts: Use push notifications to enhance user engagement and retention.

The Final Tally

So, how much does it cost to create a fitness app? Arriving at an approximate figure necessitates a methodical approach. Choose the app type, pinpoint its features, calculate the development time, and multiply it by the hourly rates of the development team. Should you seek skilled mobile developers, reach out to us, an on-demand app development company, and we’ll assemble your development team in a nearshore or offshore region.