Bent Barbell Lifting Club
Consistency in the gym breaks down when users have to think too hard.
I designed a mobile gym experience that removes planning friction, simplifies decisions, and helps users build consistent workout routines.
Role: UX/UI Designer • Platform: iOS • Tools Used: Figma • Timeline: Nov. 2025 (3 weeks)
Overview:
Problem: Users struggled to stay consistent due to overthinking and lack of structure
Solution: A simplified, mobile-first workout experience
Focus: Clarity, habit formation, quick access
Outcome: Faster decisions and improved workout consistency
Members were motivated and performance-driven, but the digital experience didn’t match how they train.
Key Issues:
Workouts and programs were hard to access and scattered
Friction during key moments like check-in and workout selection
Weak hierarchy made sessions hard to scan quickly
Inconsistent flows slowed down repeat actions
The Problem
This created an opportunity to design a faster, clearer, more repeatable gym experience.
Design Goals:
Reduce cognitive load so users focus on training, not navigation
Create predictable patterns for daily and weekly routines
Surface key actions immediately without clutter
Design an interface aligned with gym culture
The Opportunity
Problem & Opportunity
Why This Matters
Friction disrupts focus and training momentum
Simpler interfaces lead to faster decisions and consistency
Solution
A simplified, mobile-first workout experience built for speed, clarity, and consistency
Intended impact: Help users start workouts quickly without breaking momentum
Faster Workout Access
Centralized workouts, classes, and programs into a single, easy-to-find location
Reduced time spent searching for the next action
Intended impact: Make the next step obvious at a glance
Action-Focused Home Screen
Prioritized key actions like check-ins, workouts, and progress
Removed unnecessary content and distractions
Intended impact: Support faster decisions and smoother workout routines
Simplified Navigation
Reduced the number of steps required to move between key flows
Designed navigation around repeat behaviors
Intended impact: Lower cognitive load during high-focus moments
Improved Visual Hierarchy
Used spacing, contrast, and grouping to guide attention
Emphasized primary actions while minimizing visual noise
Intended impact: Make interactions easier during movement or fatigue
Built for Real Workout Conditions
Increased tap target sizes and simplified interactions
Considered one-handed use and reduced precision
Goals
Design Goals:
Enable fast, repeatable actions during workouts and check-ins
Reduce cognitive load to support quick, confident decisions
Surface essential information without overwhelming the user
Support consistency across daily and weekly gym routines
Minimize steps required for common actions
Design for one-handed use during active training
These goals were defined early to guide design decisions and reduce friction during high-focus training moments.
User Flow & Core Experience
App Launch
Entry Screen
Create Account
Login
Check-In
Classes
Training Programs
Welcome
Set Goals (Skippable)
Home / Dashboard
Trainers
The user flow prioritizes speed, clarity, and repeatable actions, allowing members to move from entry to training with minimal friction.
Core Dashboard Actions
Profile
User Flow Diagram
High-energy strength training
Limited attention during workouts
Physical fatigue and time pressure
One-handed, mid-set interaction
Frequent, repeatable sessions
Returning gym members
Habit-driven usage patterns
Goal-oriented
Familiar with gym routines
Prioritize speed over exploration
Check-ins and attendance
Class schedules
Training programs
Trainer access
Progress visibility
Low Cognitive
Load
High-Frequency
Actions
Glanceable
Information
Core IA
Decisions
Users
Content
Context
This framework guided key design decisions like prioritizing glanceable information, reducing steps between actions, and supporting
one-handed use during workouts.
Information Architecture
Structuring the Experience Around Core Actions
The structure prioritizes speed and repeat behavior by keeping core actions one tap away, while secondary tasks are accessible without disrupting training flow.
Home / Dashboard
Core Actions (High Frequency)
Secondary Actions (Low Frequency)
Surfaced immediately to support fast
decisions, habit formation, and
repeatable workouts.
Separated to reduce cognitive load and keep
users focused during active training.
Check-In
Classes
Trainers
Training Programs
Profile
Membership Details
Preferences
Settings
Notifications
Progress & Achievements
Account
Management
Check-In History
This intersection shaped an information architecture optimized for speed, clarity, and repeatable training actions.
These wireframes helped validate layout, hierarchy, and task flow before visual design. Early iterations revealed friction in navigation and unclear action prioritization, leading to a stronger focus on simplifying flows and surfacing core actions more clearly.
Login / Entry Page
Goals
Class Types
Home
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Primary actions are consistently positioned to reduce learning time
Single-task focus per screen reduces cognitive load
Mobile-first hierarchy prioritizes thumb-reachable actions
Simplified entry to reduce friction and
quickly move users into the app
Designed to reduce decision fatigue by
guiding users through simple, focused
goal selection
Prioritized core actions like check-in,
workouts, and progress to be
accessible in one tap
Designed for fast scanning and
quick selection to support
in-the-moment training decisions
The final UI translates speed, clarity, and consistency into a focused training experience.
Core actions are prioritized and accessible within one tap to reduce friction during workouts
High-contrast elements guide attention to key actions without overwhelming the interface
Consistent navigation and layout patterns reinforce habit formation over time
Content is structured for quick scanning during high-focus, time-sensitive moments
Login / Entry Page
Account Creation
Goals
Class Types
Home
Profile
Fast, frictionless entry
into the app
Streamlined
onboarding
with minimal effort
Simple goal selection
that reduces decision
fatigue
Core actions surfaced
for immediate access
Progress and personal
data, organized and
accessible
Quick scanning for
fast, in-the-moment
selection
High-Fidelity Screens
Cards group related content and improve scanability during high-focus moments.
Orange is used sparingly for primary actions to create strong call-to-action contrast, while dark neutral surfaces reduce visual fatigue in prolonged use scenarios.
Text hierarchy was designed to support quick scanning and glanceability, particularly during short interaction moments between sets. Headings are bold and condensed for emphasis, while body text prioritizes legibility at small sizes.
Primary typeface: Big Shoulders Display
Color & Contrast Strategy
Typography & Readability
Components & Interaction Patterns
212223
FE7F2D
191919
FFFFFF
000000
D9D9D9
Sign In
**********
Password:
1,250 Pound Club Badge
1,000 Pound Club Badge
120 Day Streak Badge
LOCKED
BADGE
The UI system was designed to reinforce speed, clarity, and consistency across high-frequency training interactions. Visual decisions support quick scanning, reduce cognitive load, and ensure repeatable patterns during active use.
Visual Direction & UI System
This project demonstrates my approach to UX design: simplifying complex interactions, prioritizing user focus, and designing systems that support long-term engagement and
habit formation.
Reduced onboarding friction through guided account and goal setup
Faster repeat interactions through thumb-reachable primary actions
Improved scanability with clear, card-based information hierarchy
Consistent navigation patterns that reinforce habit formation
Key UX Outcomes
Reduced cognitive load through simplified layouts
Used progressive disclosure to prevent overwhelm
Designed for mobile-first, one-handed interaction
Built a consistent, reusable component system
Core Design Decisions
Scalable expansion of trainers, classes, and programs
Flexible support for evolving user goals and routines
Reusable components that reduce future design effort
Growth of progress tracking and achievement systems
Scalability & Future Growth
The final design improves speed, clarity, and consistency within a high-focus gym environment. By reducing cognitive load and simplifying key flows, the experience supports faster decisions, repeatable actions, and more consistent workout engagement.
While conceptual, the solution reflects real-world UX patterns found in habit-driven and performance-focused applications.
Results & Impact
This project reinforced the value of validating structure and user intent before investing in visual detail. Prioritizing task flow, hierarchy, and repeat-use efficiency led to clearer primary actions, reduced decision fatigue, and predictable navigation suited for short, interrupted gym interactions.
Key Learnings
Structure drives usability
Validating layout and flow in lo-fi reduced rework and improved hi-fi decisions
Context shapes interaction design
Designing for gym environments emphasized glanceable actions and minimal friction
Consistency builds muscle memory
Repeated patterns improved learnability and supported high-frequency actions
Early goals enable personalization
Capturing goals early allowed the experience to adapt without added complexity
Opportunities for Future Iteration
Usability testing
Validate onboarding clarity, goal selection, and task completion speed
Progress & feedback loops
Expand achievements, streaks, and micro-feedback to reinforce habits
Accessibility refinements
Improve contrast, tap targets, and motion for active, low-attention use
Scalability
Test additional roles and content to ensure the system scales cleanly
Reflection & Next Steps
Bent Barbell Lifting Club
Role - UX/UI Designer
Platform: iOS
Tools Used - Figma
Timeline - Nov. 2025 (3 weeks)
Role - UX/UI Designer
Platform:- iOS
Tools Used - Figma
Timeline - Nov. 2025 (3 weeks)
Consistency breaks when workouts require too much thinking.
A mobile-first experience designed for faster decisions and consistent workouts.
Overview:
Problem: Overthinking reduces consistency
Solution: Simplified workout flow
Focus: Clarity and quick access
Outcome: Faster, repeatable workout actions
Overview:
Problem: Overthinking reduces consistency
Solution: Simplified workout flow
Focus: Clarity and quick access
Outcome: Faster, repeatable workout actions
Problem & Opportunity
Members were motivated and performance-driven, but the digital experience didn’t match how they train.
The Problem
Key Issues:
Workouts and programs were hard to access and scattered
Friction during key moments like check-in and workout selection
Weak hierarchy made sessions hard to scan quickly
Inconsistent flows slowed down repeat actions
Key Issues:
Workouts and programs were hard to access and scattered
Friction during key moments like check-in and workout selection
Weak hierarchy made sessions hard to scan quickly
Inconsistent flows slowed down repeat actions
The Opportunity
This created an opportunity to design a faster, clearer, more repeatable gym experience.
Design Goals:
Reduce cognitive load so users focus on training, not navigation
Create predictable patterns for daily and weekly routines
Surface key actions immediately without clutter
Design an interface aligned with gym culture
Design Goals:
Reduce cognitive load so users focus on training, not navigation
Create predictable patterns for daily and weekly routines
Surface key actions immediately without clutter
Design an interface aligned with gym culture
Why This Matters
Friction disrupts focus and training momentum
Simpler interfaces lead to faster decisions and consistency
Friction disrupts focus and training momentum
Simpler interfaces lead to faster decisions and consistency
Solution
A simplified, mobile-first workout experience built for speed, clarity, and consistency
Faster Workout Access
Faster Workout Access
Centralized workouts, classes, and programs into a single, easy-to-find location
Reduced time spent searching for the next action
Centralized workouts, classes, and programs into a single, easy-to-find location
Reduced time spent searching for the next action
Intended impact:
Help users start workouts quickly without breaking momentum
Action-Focused Home Screen
Action-Focused Home Screen
Prioritized key actions like check-ins, workouts, and progress
Removed unnecessary content and distractions
Prioritized key actions like check-ins, workouts, and progress
Removed unnecessary content and distractions
Intended impact:
Make the next step obvious at a glance
Simplified Navigation
Simplified Navigation
Reduced the number of steps required to move between key flows
Designed navigation around repeat behaviors
Reduced the number of steps required to move between key flows
Designed navigation around repeat behaviors
Intended impact:
Support faster decisions and smoother workout routines
Improved Visual Hierarchy
Improved Visual Hierarchy
Used spacing, contrast, and grouping to guide attention
Emphasized primary actions while minimizing visual noise
Used spacing, contrast, and grouping to guide attention
Emphasized primary actions while minimizing visual noise
Intended impact:
Lower cognitive load during high-focus moments
Built for Real Workout Conditions
Built for Real Workout Conditions
Increased tap target sizes and simplified interactions
Considered one-handed use and reduced precision
Increased tap target sizes and simplified interactions
Considered one-handed use and reduced precision
Intended impact:
Make interactions easier during movement or fatigue
Enable fast, repeatable actions during workouts and check-ins
Reduce cognitive load to support quick, confident decisions
Surface essential information without overwhelming the user
Support consistency across daily and weekly gym routines
Minimize steps required for common actions
Design for one-handed use during active training
Enable fast, repeatable actions during workouts and check-ins
Reduce cognitive load to support quick, confident decisions
Surface essential information without overwhelming the user
Support consistency across daily and weekly gym routines
Minimize steps required for common actions
Design for one-handed use during active training
Goals
These goals were defined early to guide design decisions and reduce friction during high-focus training moments.
Design Goals:
User Flow Diagram
User Flow & Core Experience
The user flow prioritizes speed, clarity, and repeatable actions, allowing members to move
from entry to training with minimal friction.
The user flow prioritizes speed, clarity, and repeatable actions, allowing members to move from entry to training with minimal friction.
Core Dashboard Actions
Information Architecture
This framework guided key design decisions like prioritizing glanceable information, reducing steps between actions, and supporting one-handed use during workouts.
This intersection shaped an information architecture optimized for speed, clarity, and repeatable training actions.
Structuring the Experience Around Core Actions
The structure prioritizes speed and repeat behavior by keeping core actions one tap away, while secondary tasks are accessible without disrupting training flow.
Lo-Fi Wireframes
Login / Entry Page
Simplified entry to reduce friction and
quickly move users into the app
Prioritized core actions like check-in, workouts, and progress to be
accessible in one tap
Primary actions are consistently positioned to reduce learning time
Single-task focus per screen reduces cognitive load
Mobile-first hierarchy prioritizes thumb-reachable actions
Primary actions are consistently positioned
to reduce learning time
Single-task focus per screen reduces cognitive load
Mobile-first hierarchy prioritizes thumb-reachable actions
Home
Hi-Fi Screens
Home
Login / Entry Page
One-tap core actions
Clear visual hierarchy
Consistent navigation patterns
Fast, scannable content
Fast, frictionless entry into the app
Core actions surfaced for immediate access
One-tap core actions
Clear visual hierarchy
Consistent navigation patterns
Fast, scannable content
Visual Direction & UI System
Consistent, reusable UI components
Standardized color and typography system
Accessibility-focused design that scales
Consistent, reusable UI components
Standardized color and typography system
Accessibility-focused design that scales
Color System
Typography
Components
Primary typeface: Big Shoulders Display
Reduced onboarding friction through
step-by-step account and goal setup
Faster repeat interactions using
thumb-reachable primary actions
Clear information hierarchy via
card-based layouts
Predictable navigation patterns
across core screens
Text hierarchy supports quick scanning between sets, with bold headings and legible small-size body text.
Results & Impact
Decisions prioritize reduced cognitive load, progressive disclosure, and real-world fitness UX patterns.
Decisions prioritize reduced cognitive load, progressive disclosure, and real-world fitness UX patterns.
Design Decisions
Simplified layouts reduce cognitive load
Progressive disclosure prevents overwhelm
Designed for one-handed, mobile use
Reusable component system
Design Decisions
Simplified layouts reduce cognitive load
Progressive disclosure prevents overwhelm
Designed for one-handed, mobile use
Reusable component system
Scalability
Easy to expand trainers, classes, programs
Adapts to evolving user goals
Reusable components reduce future effort
Supports growth in progress + achievements
Scalability
Easy to expand trainers, classes, programs
Adapts to evolving user goals
Reusable components reduce future effort
Supports growth in progress + achievements
Designed to simplify decisions, reinforce habits, and scale with user needs.
Key Outcomes
Reduced onboarding friction
Faster repeat actions
Clear, scannable hierarchy
Consistent navigation patterns
Key Outcomes
Reduced onboarding friction
Faster repeat actions
Clear, scannable hierarchy
Consistent navigation patterns
Reflection & Next Steps
Validating structure first led to clearer decisions, faster flows, and more consistent user behavior.
Validating structure first led to clearer decisions, faster flows, and more consistent user behavior.
Key Learnings
Structure drives usability
Clear flows reduced rework and improved decisions
Context shapes design
Designed for quick, in-the-moment gym interactions
Consistency builds habits
Repeated patterns improved speed and learnability
Early goals enable personalization
Setup adapts the experience without added complexity
Key Learnings
Structure drives usability
Clear flows reduced rework and improved decisions
Context shapes design
Designed for quick, in-the-moment gym interactions
Consistency builds habits
Repeated patterns improved speed and learnability
Early goals enable personalization
Setup adapts the experience without added complexity
Next Steps
Usability testing
Validate onboarding clarity and task speed
Feedback loops
Expand achievements and habit reinforcement
Accessibility
Improve contrast, tap targets, and motion handling
Scalability
Test expansion across more content and user types
Next Steps
Usability testing
Validate onboarding clarity and task speed
Feedback loops
Expand achievements and habit reinforcement
Accessibility
Improve contrast, tap targets, and motion handling
Scalability
Test expansion across more content and user types