Rethinking Fitness Apps: Addressing the Challenges of Tech and Modern Training Methods
Smartphones and apps have transformed fitness training. Gone are the days when average consumers received their training plans on a piece of paper given to them at a gym induction or had to play a Jane Fonda video via their VCR player. Fitness is now more accessible through the simplicity of an app on a phone, iPad, or wristwatch.
Only two years after the launch of App Stores in 2008, the first sports and fitness apps were launched. The smartphone offered new opportunities for the user that phone owners could take advantage of. They could take their fitness trainer, in a device, while walking, cycling or running. This was a step forward from the first modern-day pedometer, called ‘Manpo-kei,’ which was launched in 1965.
With the development of early apps such as Apple’s Fitness app or Strava, step counting or the number of miles cycled became a new method of measuring movement and plotting goals. The user could set daily or weekly challenges and compare, or even brag about, their results with their friends and colleagues. These apps have quickly advanced to the point where they can link to movement sensors and GPS to measure and record distances and training routes more accurately, along with terrain undulations, calories burned, heart rate and so on. The more modern apps boast that they can give programmes that help the user, for example, lose weight, gain muscle and look and feel better, all through their subscription, which would take the user through an exercise and diet journey.
It is estimated that about 10% of all apps are fitness-related, and their popularity continues to grow. This accessible technology has become a growing part of the 21st-century health and fitness industry.
Globally, the health and fitness app development market is growing rapidly, with the US being the largest download and user nation. In 2024 health and fitness apps saw their downloads grow to $3.6 billion worldwide, with an increase of 6% compared to the previous year. This is projected to reach $8.3 billion in 2025. In-app purchases was approximately $3.9 billion in the same year, with an outstanding growth of £500 million compared to 2023. Leading fitness tracking apps like MyFitnessPal, Strava, and Peloton have over $20 million in monthly revenue.
While fitness apps can be great tools, they do have potential downsides. With fitness apps in abundance, there is one alarming issue they overlook; This “one size fits all” mentality. Whilst it is great for the user to have the convenience and accessibility of an app on their phone or their watch, they do not accommodate an individual's specific requirements or goals.
Imagine trying on a trendy new pair of shoes that everyone seems to be wearing. However, when you put them on, they don't fit quite right and cause discomfort. This situation is similar to using fitness apps, which often fail to consider individual body types, fitness levels, or lifestyle difficulties. Many of these apps ask for basic information like height and weight to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI), but the data collected is often too simplistic compared to a full questionnaire and screening initial assessment that a qualified coach would carry out.
Different fitness models and methods have diversity. One pre-set training programme may not work for all. Many of these apps lack personalised guidance and have generic plans that don’t fit everyone's needs or lifestyles.
In addition, if the user is not monitored or has a tailored plan, there is risk failing to see the desired results, which can result in frustration and abandonment.
Another issue is the risk of trying to achieve artificial goals and over-gamification. This is where some users can get so caught up with reaching goals that they neglect their overall wellbeing. This can lead to overtraining, neglect and when injuries. The focus on gamification and competing with oneself can detract from enjoying the process of exercise and making it a sustainable habit. There is a risk of social comparison and obsessive behaviours, which can lead to the feeling of inadequacy or overpressure, which can negatively impact mental health.
A recent study at the National University of Ireland (NUIG) examined how fitness apps affect the well-being of users. Their research looked at how these apps could lead to obsessive behaviour and burnout in the long-term. Dr Eion Whelan, who is the senior lecturer in business information systems, headed this research, which studied 270 people involved in cardio-intensive physical activity, which also flagged to employers the risks and responsibilities of giving employees free fitness apps and incorporating fitness apps into employee wellness programmes.
"The majority of exercisers are now using digital technology to track and share their workout data to support their fitness goals. But these fitness apps can be a double-edged sword," said Dr Whelan,
Dr Whelan also noted that while fitness-sharing apps can help initiate and maintain exercise routines, some users might develop obsessive behaviours and over-exercise. His study found that whilst these apps helped with a convenient support and encouragements to help keep up their exercise and lower life stress, there was also a flip-side where by people who use self-tracking on fitness apps to receive praise and public endorsements for their exercise activities are more likely to develop an obsessive approach to physical exercise and suffer higher life stress over time.
Dr Whelan also suggested organisations could monitor the exercise-log files of employees and assess these for signs of exercise obsession. “We have had feedback from companies that make health technologies who are keen to figure out ways to develop digital rewards for people when they shouldn’t train – either because they are exercising too much, they have an injury, or they have another important commitment. Sometimes, people become so obsessed with their gym sessions that they can’t focus on work assignments.”
The key downside with fitness apps is the lack of real-time feedback on exercise form, particularly when it comes to injury prevention. An app cannot monitor whether someone is positioning themselves correctly while performing exercises.
There is often a lack of self-awareness when it comes to technique for the general public. For example, a person might have a slight forward flexion when running but perceive themselves as being upright. Self-perception can trick the brain, with sensory receptors providing feedback that suggests the person is standing upright, leading to a misconception about their actual posture. Even people who frequently work at a desk have a misconception that they have good posture, but in reality, they stoop forward. In the long term, this leads to mechanical changes in the chest, cervical and thoracic areas, which can lead to tightening tissues and pain.
What does this have to do with an app. The principle is the same. An app does not send out a signal to correct the body when it is in an unfavourable position. Poor form and technique can lead to muscle imbalances, which can ultimately result in injuries. For example, if someone is performing an exercise with knocked knees or they are stooping their upper body, this can only be monitored successfully by a human and then corrected accordingly.
A qualified fitness instructor or coach in a small group or 1-2-1 training scenario is likely to have the experience and skills to observe their students and provide the appropriate adaptations and progressions, as well as change the technique if needed. An app simply cannot do this.
Similarly, an app cannot detect or adapt if the user is overdoing things, pushing themselves, or making themselves too tired. This can only be measured by observations by an experienced trainer.
While apps can be useful tools for tracking workout routines and monitoring progress, they cannot replace the support of a qualified coach or trainer. A coach can provide personalised advice, monitor programmes and make adjustments during challenging times. Additionally, they offer a personal touch through motivation, encouragement and empathy that apps simply cannot provide.
Another problem is technical and functional issues. Our lives revolve around phones or smartwatches, be it for communication, credit card payments or anything else we use on a daily basis. If our phones run out of charge, or these apps don't work efficiently, we may feel like we have had our arm cut off! There is heavy dependence on our devices and apps to work effectively, and if there is a technical glitch, such as the app crashing, or there is a tracking error, or difficulty synchronising data, this can lead to frustration. Poor user experience can lead to the abandonment of the app that we heavily rely on, and potentially lead to an inability to continue with consistent exercise.
There seem to be no guidelines regarding who can create fitness apps, no regulations in place, and no minimum qualifications required for the trainers involved. Fitness apps represent a lucrative business model that seeks to attract users with subscription packages. While they may appear to be a more affordable and accessible alternative to traditional lifestyle programs, there are potential risks associated with their use.
In summary, fitness apps can be helpful for tracking progress and following workout routines. However, they should not replace the guidance of a qualified trainer or a well-rounded fitness approach. Users must be mindful of the potential downsides of these apps and prioritise their overall health and well-being.