Gym Sloth.
A workout tracking app designed to make fitness feel kind, simple, and achievable for everyone — from complete beginners to experienced lifters. Gentle encouragement, one-handed logging, and a gamified XP system that makes progress feel good.
My Role
End-to-end product design and development: user research, UX/UI design, native iOS development, and beta testing.
Timeline
3.5 months from concept to beta launch on TestFlight, with ongoing development and iteration based on tester feedback.
Tech Stack
The Challenge
Existing fitness apps fall into two extremes: either overly technical and intimidating for beginners, or too simplistic for experienced users. This creates a gap where most people feel either overwhelmed or under-served. Apps for serious lifters bury you in metrics you don't understand, while beginner apps feel patronizing and limited.
The Solution
A native iOS app that's simple by default and powerful when needed. Workout plans organized by difficulty, focus, and goals. One-handed set logging so you never put the weights down. A gentle XP and leveling system that celebrates small wins instead of guilt-tripping missed days. Visual progress through stats you actually understand — and no paywalls on the core experience. Push, pull, legs, or build your own routine.
How It Works
From your first session to leveling up — three kind, low-pressure steps
Pick
Choose a plan by difficulty, focus, and goals — push, pull, legs, or build your own custom routine. Beginners see a clean interface; advanced users can dig into detail.
Log
Track sets one-handed while holding weights. Auto rest timers run between sets with customizable duration. No tiny tap targets, no complex gestures.
Level Up
Earn XP and watch progress visualized in ways that feel rewarding, not overwhelming. Unlock backgrounds, avatars, and themes as you go.
Built With
Native iOS, designed to work fast and offline at the gym
Swift
Built natively in Swift for a smooth, responsive feel that holds up mid-workout, even with a phone in one hand.
SwiftUI
The whole interface is SwiftUI — animations, gamified XP visuals, and unlockable themes all rendered natively.
Core Data
Local-first persistence so every set and routine is saved instantly and the app works perfectly offline.
HealthKit
Completed workouts sync to Apple Health, so your training flows into the rest of your fitness picture.
Rest Timers
Auto rest timers with customizable duration keep your pacing on track between every set.
Kind by Design
Supportive copy and gentle encouragement throughout — never guilt, never pressure to perform perfectly.
Key Features
Everything you need to keep showing up, nothing to stress you out
Workout plans by difficulty, focus, and goals — push, pull, legs
Auto rest timers with customizable duration between sets
Unlockables: backgrounds, avatars, and themes as you progress
One-handed usability designed for logging at the gym
Visual progression via stats and a gamified XP system
Custom routine builder for those who want full control
Gentle leveling that celebrates small wins, never guilt
Works fast and offline — perfect for spotty gym connectivity
No paywalls on core features — basic tracking for everyone