What we observed
First-time users struggled to find key actions and understand some of the steps.
Synergym
Independent redesign
Synergym: App redesign
Usability testing and redesign of gym access, class bookings and workout routines.
My contribution
I ran usability sessions with six first-time users, grouped observations in an affinity map, and redesigned gym access, class bookings and workout routines.
Context
Project scope
The Synergym app lets members enter the gym, book classes and follow workout routines. For this personal project, I tested these everyday tasks with people who had never used the app, then redesigned the parts that caused confusion.
Problem
Finding everyday gym tasks
Why it mattered
These tasks are part of a regular gym visit. Members need to enter, manage bookings and check exercises without searching through the app.
The goal
Make the four tasks easier to find and follow, using the difficulties observed in the tests to guide the redesign.
Research
Usability tests with first-time users
Participants
- 6 people who regularly went to the gym and had never used the Synergym app.
Method
- Individual remote sessions using Google Meet and OBS Studio.
- Participants spoke their thoughts aloud.
- Tasks were given without instructions on how to complete them.
Tasks
- Generate an entry QR code.
- Book a class.
- Cancel a booking.
- Find a routine and view its exercises.
Usability testing sessions
I grouped observations in an affinity map to find recurring difficulties across the sessions. A usability questionnaire captured participants’ feedback.
Gym access
- The QR entry action was easy to identify.
- Participants described the icon and label as clear.
Class bookings
- Moving to the following week was unclear.
- Booked classes did not stand out enough.
- Participants expected a My classes area for their bookings.
Workout routines
- The video icon led some people to Online classes instead of Routines.
- Exercise instructions were found by accident.
- The muscles worked were not clearly highlighted.
Content and feedback
- The home screen contained too many competing options.
- Class details felt too text heavy.
- Cancellation messages needed to identify the specific class.
Questionnaire responses
Responses to six questionnaire statements, rated from 1 to 5, captured how participants perceived the app alongside the difficulties observed during the tasks.
How participants rated the app
6 participants · Mean response, from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
I would use this app frequently
3.83
The app felt unnecessarily complex
2.33
The app was easy to use
4.17
I would need expert support
1.67
The functions felt well integrated
4.17
The app felt inconsistent
2.00
Higher agreement is positive for ease of use, frequent use and integration. For complexity, support and inconsistency, lower agreement is positive.
These are six recorded SUS statements. The other four are not included in the source, so no overall SUS score is reported.
Main friction points
Decisions
Priorities for the redesign
Home screen and entry QR
Give the entry QR code more prominence and reduce visual clutter on the home screen.
Class bookings
Add My classes and distinguish active bookings so they can be found and cancelled.
Exercise instructions
Distinguish routines from online classes and make exercise instructions and target muscles clearer.
Solution
Gym access, bookings and routines
Home screen and gym access
The entry QR code becomes the main action on the home screen. Classes and routines have clearer labels and separate entry points.
Class bookings and cancellations
A new My classes section brings bookings together. The schedule distinguishes booked classes, and cancellation is available from the booking.
Routines and exercise instructions
Routines are distinguished from online classes. Exercise instructions and the muscles involved are easier to identify.
