1.Is the feature easy to use? If yes, why? If not, why? How could it be improved?

Yes, as a relatively new user to the app (started using it around 4 months ago), I found the app very intuitive to use. The UI design is very simple and functional.

2.Is it easy to learn? Can you remember how to use this feature after not using it for a while? Why or why not ? How would you improve it, if necessary?

Yes I found it easy to learn to use. However, I would not say that it requires some knowledge of workout terms, such as ‘set’ or equipment such as ‘dumbbell’, ‘barbell’ etc. in order to effectively log your workout. To improve it, I think the app could potentially look into using AI to log workout plans that users may be following from YouTube/TikTok etc. This would allow newer users to log their workouts even though they may not be familiar with all the terms used.

3.Is the feature easy to understand? Is the associated copy easy to comprehend? Does it help you navigate through the feature? What could make it more comprehensible?

Yes it is easy to understand. The terms used are clear and easy to understand.

4.Is it sociable? Do the social aspects of the feature meet your goals as a user? Why or why not? What would you do differently?

There is a social aspect as you are able to view the workouts tracked by other users. You can also choose to upload photos at the end of each workout. This allows users to track their progress and also gain recognition from others of their efforts. You are able to view the feed of other users, similar to Instagram, and comment, like on their images. I also appreciate being able to compare your workout stats with other users as a fun, competitive feature. It would be better if I could find other users near me geographically as well, so that I may follow local atheletes, as the users recommended to me currently are out of my region.

5.Does the feature have emotional value? Can you connect with it? How could you connect more meaningfully with it?

I would say there is some emotional value in the app. After every workout, you are notified if you achieved any new records, and also messages about how much you are lifted is equivalent to lifting a car. These messages are very encouraging and make the user feel good and accomplished. To connect more meaningfully, I think the app could also remind users about the mental benefits of working out, and have messages such as ‘Your mind enjoyed that workout as well!’ to balance the app’s focus on lifting heavier, more, etc.

6.Does the feature (or app as a whole) respect your attention? What are the notifications associated with it? Could they be designed better?

During workouts, the app will notify you if your rest period is over. You can also choose to turn off these notifications, or view the information via widget on your phone screen. The app does not nudge you when you are not using it, and that is good as it does not demand for your attention when unnecessary.

7.Is the feature or app accessible? Is it designed in accordance with WCAG? How could it be made to be more accessible?

The app has a primary colour of blue, and secondary colours are shades of gray. This makes the layout very clean and easy to understand.

8.Does the feature make you feel welcome, respected and included? Do you think it would make someone from a different experience and background feel welcome, respected and included? Why do you think so? What are the areas of improvement?

I think the app does a good job of making me feel welcome, respected and included. There are illustrations featuring male and female anatomies, and a large range of exercises available in their database. You can also choose to add your own customized exercise using different equipment. As someone newer to the gym, I used a lot of dumbbells and I was able to use the app to track my workouts. The app also provided step-by-step guides to exercises which was helpful for beginners like me.

I started more seriously reading up on UX design, reaching out to a friend who has done the conversion about a month back. I felt like my future in architecture was very uncertain. I didn’t hate my job back then. But now, after a recent review, I feel less warm towards it.

I am still researching about the different roles in tech — product manager, software engineer, data analyst, ui/ux designer. I’m interested in product management, because it seems to be a role which requires interest in a lot of different fields (business, design, collaboration) which sounds exciting to me, and something that will not get boring. I am also looking more seriously into ui/ux as I see my background matches the skillset requirements, and the transition is something that seems to be more aligned with my current career experiences.

I’m really glad there are a lot of resources out on the internet, on tiktok, youtube, online courses. It makes the journey less daunting. I also saw on another medium article that it took 10 months for someone to make that switch. Wow! 10 months! I need to really be well researched to commit to something for 10 months, and for the rest of my career as well.

Thanks for reading so far, if there’s anyone on a similar journey, it’d be good to have companions and to keep each other motivated and accountable! Let me know if you’d be keen to connect in an introverted way :)