TLDR | Project Overview:
A dual-path onboarding system for a fitness app MVP
Fitness App | Onboarding UX | AI-Guided + Manual Paths | MVP Concept
A dual-path onboarding system for a fitness app MVP
Fitness App | Onboarding UX | AI-Guided + Manual Paths | MVP Concept
The problem
Most fitness apps lose users during onboarding.
The issue is not features. It is trust.
Users disengage when setup feels demanding, unfamiliar, or inflexible.
Most fitness apps lose users during onboarding.
The issue is not features. It is trust.
Users disengage when setup feels demanding, unfamiliar, or inflexible.
Time + Team
Breakdown: 4 weeks research & creative direction • 2 weeks low-fidelity wireframes & art direction • 2 weeks high-fidelity wireframes & prototyping
UX Design and Research Lead (me) • UXD Teammates
Breakdown: 4 weeks research & creative direction • 2 weeks low-fidelity wireframes & art direction • 2 weeks high-fidelity wireframes & prototyping
UX Design and Research Lead (me) • UXD Teammates
My role
I led discovery research, writing, UX/UI, and visual design direction.
I led discovery research, writing, UX/UI, and visual design direction.
What I learned
Discovery research into fitness and diet consistency revealed a clear pattern.
Some users are comfortable with emerging technology.
Others prefer manual control.
Forcing a single onboarding path increases friction and early drop-off.
Discovery research into fitness and diet consistency revealed a clear pattern.
Some users are comfortable with emerging technology.
Others prefer manual control.
Forcing a single onboarding path increases friction and early drop-off.
My approach
I designed a dual-path onboarding experience:
I designed a dual-path onboarding experience:
▶ A conversational AI-guided setup
▶ A traditional manual setup
▶ A traditional manual setup
Both paths support the same setup goals.
They differ in guidance style, pace, and sense of control.
They differ in guidance style, pace, and sense of control.
Onboarding was structured in two stages to reduce cognitive load, demonstrate value early, and build trust before asking for more personal information.
Why it matters
This work treats trust as a core onboarding requirement.
It shows how discovery research can inform product decisions without increasing complexity.
This work treats trust as a core onboarding requirement.
It shows how discovery research can inform product decisions without increasing complexity.
Core question
How can onboarding support trust and user choice while staying simple enough to ship?
How can onboarding support trust and user choice while staying simple enough to ship?
▼ Read the full story to see how it all came together. ▼
Intro/Background:
Designing onboarding that adapts to trust in technology
Designing onboarding that adapts to trust in technology
FitNest Plan is a concept fitness app focused on guided training and nutrition. The broader goal was to help people stay consistent with fitness and diet routines that often fail.
Some users were comfortable with emerging technology. Others were cautious or unsure.
My work focused on the onboarding experience
Research revealed a clear pattern. App abandonment was not driven by features or capabilities. Much was driven by trust during the initial setup. Many disengaged when onboarding felt confusing, demanding, or unfamiliar.
Research revealed a clear pattern. App abandonment was not driven by features or capabilities. Much was driven by trust during the initial setup. Many disengaged when onboarding felt confusing, demanding, or unfamiliar.
From these insights, I designed the onboarding to account for these differences rather than forcing a single path. This led to a dual-path approach that gave users control over how they got started.
Users could choose between:
▶ A conversational AI-guided setup
▶ A traditional manual setup
▶ A conversational AI-guided setup
▶ A traditional manual setup
Both paths supported the same setup goals. They differed in guidance style, pace, and sense of control.
This case study focuses on a single question:
How can onboarding support trust and choice without increasing complexity?
How can onboarding support trust and choice without increasing complexity?
The Problem:
Onboarding fails when it asks for commitment before trust
Onboarding fails when it asks for commitment before trust
90% of app abandonment happens during onboarding.
Fitness apps are especially vulnerable.
Many products fall into one of two traps.
They collect too little information and deliver a generic experience.
Or they collect too much and overwhelm users with long forms and early decisions.
They collect too little information and deliver a generic experience.
Or they collect too much and overwhelm users with long forms and early decisions.
Both approaches create friction.
Users disengage before they understand the value.
Users disengage before they understand the value.
This work focused on a narrower problem.
How onboarding could reduce friction while still supporting meaningful personalization.
How onboarding could reduce friction while still supporting meaningful personalization.
I explored whether conversational AI could act as a guiding layer during setup.
The goal was not automation.
It was clarity, pacing, and confidence.
The goal was not automation.
It was clarity, pacing, and confidence.
A two-stage onboarding structure
The onboarding experience was divided into two stages to lower effort and build trust over time.
The onboarding experience was divided into two stages to lower effort and build trust over time.
▶ The first stage focused on basic access.
This included account setup and the minimum information needed to enter the app.
This included account setup and the minimum information needed to enter the app.
▶ The second stage focused on personalization.
This included fitness, diet, and wellness preferences.
This included fitness, diet, and wellness preferences.
Users could explore the app between these stages.
This allowed them to see value before sharing more personal information.
This allowed them to see value before sharing more personal information.
Key challenges to solve
The design needed to address three clear issues:
The design needed to address three clear issues:
▶ Tedious data entry
Too many screens and questions caused drop-off.
Too many screens and questions caused drop-off.
▶ Cognitive fatigue
Users were asked to make too many decisions too early.
Users were asked to make too many decisions too early.
▶ Lack of trust
Users hesitated to share sensitive details before seeing value.
Users hesitated to share sensitive details before seeing value.
Research Goals + Methodologies:
Discovery research that informed the onboarding strategy
Discovery research that informed the onboarding strategy
The research focused on the broader problem of fitness and diet consistency.
The goal was to understand why people drop off and what discourages follow-through.
This research was not specific to onboarding.
It was exploratory by design.
It was exploratory by design.
Patterns uncovered during discovery later shaped how the onboarding experience was approached.
Research approach
I used a small set of methods to gather clear, directional insight:
I used a small set of methods to gather clear, directional insight:
▶ Survey research
Collected feedback on frustrations, first impressions, and barriers across fitness apps, gyms, and fitness technology.
Collected feedback on frustrations, first impressions, and barriers across fitness apps, gyms, and fitness technology.
▶ Trainer interviews
Spoke with two local trainers to understand how they introduce new clients and support motivation early.
Spoke with two local trainers to understand how they introduce new clients and support motivation early.
▶ Competitive review
Reviewed Strava, MyFitnessPal, and Nike Training Club to understand common patterns and baseline expectations.
Reviewed Strava, MyFitnessPal, and Nike Training Club to understand common patterns and baseline expectations.
Insights applied to onboarding design
The discovery research revealed several patterns that translated directly into onboarding decisions.
The discovery research revealed several patterns that translated directly into onboarding decisions.
▶ Simplicity matters early
Heavy structure or data collection created resistance before value was clear.
Heavy structure or data collection created resistance before value was clear.
▶ Cognitive load affects trust
Visual and decision complexity increased hesitation.
Visual and decision complexity increased hesitation.
▶ Accessibility signals care
Clear hierarchy, spacing, and legibility helped users feel comfortable engaging.
Clear hierarchy, spacing, and legibility helped users feel comfortable engaging.
These insights were applied to onboarding using established best practices and industry research on onboarding behavior.
This spreadsheet highlights early patterns from the user survey. It reflects digital responses and excludes qualitative insights from trainer interviews.
My Role + Scope
I led UX design, information architecture, and screen-level copy for the onboarding, along with creative direction.
My responsibilities included:
▶ Writing and refining on-screen copy and dialogue flow to support clarity and confidence
▶ Translating discovery insights into onboarding flows, interactions, and system behavior
▶ Designing the information architecture and user flows
▶ Creating high-fidelity wireframes and core screen layouts
▶ Defining visual design direction, including grid, typography, and reusable components
▶ Designing the FitNest logo and app icon
▶ Translating discovery insights into onboarding flows, interactions, and system behavior
▶ Designing the information architecture and user flows
▶ Creating high-fidelity wireframes and core screen layouts
▶ Defining visual design direction, including grid, typography, and reusable components
▶ Designing the FitNest logo and app icon
Beyond onboarding, I also contributed to the Account hub.
Google Forms • Google Sheets • FigJam • Figma • Photoshop • PowerPoint • Zoom • Google Meet
Led the research framework and visual design system for the overall FitNest product concept.
Tools used:Google Forms • Google Sheets • FigJam • Figma • Photoshop • PowerPoint • Zoom • Google Meet
A presentation animation showing the FitNest Plan onboarding experience. The user experience features a conversational AI approach that humanizes the setup process and drives completion. It's designed to reduce friction and build trust.
Screens shown:
(A) Path selection between AI-guided and manual onboarding
(B) Sample screens from the conversational AI flow
(C) Tutorial carousel introducing navigation and core features
(D) Option to continue to Stage 2 or skip for later
(E) Sample screens from the manual onboarding flow
(F) Final confirmation screen on completion
(A) Path selection between AI-guided and manual onboarding
(B) Sample screens from the conversational AI flow
(C) Tutorial carousel introducing navigation and core features
(D) Option to continue to Stage 2 or skip for later
(E) Sample screens from the manual onboarding flow
(F) Final confirmation screen on completion
The Solution:
A dual-path onboarding that builds trust before asking for commitment
A dual-path onboarding that builds trust before asking for commitment
Onboarding sets the tone for the entire product.
If it feels demanding or inflexible, users leave.
If it feels demanding or inflexible, users leave.
The goal was to design an experience that felt clear, supportive, and human.
Not everyone wants to onboard the same way.
Forcing a single path creates friction.
Not everyone wants to onboard the same way.
Forcing a single path creates friction.
Offer choice without increasing complexity
The solution introduces two onboarding paths from the start:
The solution introduces two onboarding paths from the start:
▶ Conversational AI guided setup
For users who prefer a hands-free, guided experience with real-time prompts and reassurance.
For users who prefer a hands-free, guided experience with real-time prompts and reassurance.
▶ Manual setup
For users who want to review each step at their own pace and stay in control.
For users who want to review each step at their own pace and stay in control.
Both paths collect the same information.
They differ only in guidance style, pacing, and sense of control.
They differ only in guidance style, pacing, and sense of control.
This solution was intentionally scoped for an MVP, focusing on behavioral leverage rather than feature breadth.
Reduce cognitive load with staged onboarding
To prevent overwhelm, onboarding is split into two stages:
To prevent overwhelm, onboarding is split into two stages:
▶ Stage 1: The basics
Account setup is required to begin using the app.
Account setup is required to begin using the app.
▶ Stage 2: Fitness and wellness details
Preferences and goals that can be completed later.
Preferences and goals that can be completed later.
This structure allows users to start exploring the app immediately.
It demonstrates value before asking for more personal information.
It demonstrates value before asking for more personal information.
Design onboarding as a relationship, not a form
By separating setup into stages and offering choice, onboarding shifts from data entry to guided support.
Users move forward at their own pace.
They stay in control.
Trust builds before commitment.
By separating setup into stages and offering choice, onboarding shifts from data entry to guided support.
Users move forward at their own pace.
They stay in control.
Trust builds before commitment.
Why this mattered
This approach facilitates early engagement without introducing additional complexity.
The solution was intentionally scoped as an MVP, prioritizing behavioral leverage over feature breadth.
This approach facilitates early engagement without introducing additional complexity.
The solution was intentionally scoped as an MVP, prioritizing behavioral leverage over feature breadth.
This click-through prototype shows the visual design, flow, and key screens. Most interactions are guided for presentation, with some elements intentionally limited or non-functional.
Conversational content uses placeholder text. Full dialogue would be developed later with a UX Writer or Content Designer.
Above:
Low- to mid-fidelity wireframes used to align on onboarding structure and confirm direction before high-fidelity design.
Concept #5 was selected for the AI interface due to its stronger trust signal and more natural interaction.
Low- to mid-fidelity wireframes used to align on onboarding structure and confirm direction before high-fidelity design.
Concept #5 was selected for the AI interface due to its stronger trust signal and more natural interaction.
Below:
Early sketches, information architecture, and user flows established the foundation of the experience.
I also outlined testing plans and documented tradeoffs between AI-guided and manual onboarding.
Early sketches, information architecture, and user flows established the foundation of the experience.
I also outlined testing plans and documented tradeoffs between AI-guided and manual onboarding.
Decision framework comparing AI-guided and manual onboarding paths. This work documents tradeoffs, risks, and success metrics used to justify a dual-path approach, balance trust and accessibility, and define how each path would be tested, measured, and iterated post-launch.
Challenges + Learnings:
What this work clarified about feasibility and user trust
Balancing innovation with feasibility shaped every major decision.
Conversational AI showed real potential to support onboarding.
It also introduced technical and content complexity that had to be weighed early.
Conversational AI showed real potential to support onboarding.
It also introduced technical and content complexity that had to be weighed early.
This work reinforced a core product principle.
Onboarding sets the emotional tone for the experience.
When the start feels clear and supportive, users are more likely to continue.
Onboarding sets the emotional tone for the experience.
When the start feels clear and supportive, users are more likely to continue.
Impact + Results:
Design validation and positive qualitative feedback
Design validation and positive qualitative feedback
The app was not built or released publicly. Even so, the work received strong feedback in design reviews:
▶ “Loved the visual design! Great option to have both AI and manual.”
▶ “Really nice, thoughtful design that feels pretty realistic. Well done!”
▶ “It feels real-world. I could see this app being fully developed.”
▶ “Loved the visual design! Great option to have both AI and manual.”
▶ “Really nice, thoughtful design that feels pretty realistic. Well done!”
▶ “It feels real-world. I could see this app being fully developed.”
Beyond visual polish, this work demonstrates core onboarding design strengths:
▶ Scalable onboarding foundations
▶ Clear decision logic at the point of entry
▶ Cohesive UX patterns aligned with the FitNest brand
▶ High-fidelity UI that feels realistic and shippable
▶ Scalable onboarding foundations
▶ Clear decision logic at the point of entry
▶ Cohesive UX patterns aligned with the FitNest brand
▶ High-fidelity UI that feels realistic and shippable
Together, this work demonstrates how onboarding design can strike a balance between trust, clarity, and flexibility in a realistic product context.
Postface:
What this work verified and what comes next
What this work verified and what comes next
FitNest Plan was designed as an MVP-level product exploration and was not built or released publicly.
Even so, the work received strong feedback for clarity, visual polish, and the thoughtful use of conversational AI.
The design successfully addressed the core problem.
It demonstrated a realistic approach to onboarding that balances guidance, user control, and trust.
It demonstrated a realistic approach to onboarding that balances guidance, user control, and trust.
If this product moved forward, the next step would be validation through testing.
I would run A/B and usability testing between the AI-guided and manual onboarding flows to measure:
▶ Completion rates
▶ Drop-off points
▶ User sentiment and ease of use
▶ Completion rates
▶ Drop-off points
▶ User sentiment and ease of use
These results would determine whether conversational AI meaningfully improves onboarding outcomes and supports longer-term engagement.
Additional FitNest product work
These screens show supplemental UI work from the same FitNest product.
They focus on the My Account hub and supporting screens.
They focus on the My Account hub and supporting screens.
This work sits outside the onboarding flow.
It demonstrates how the broader system would function beyond initial setup.
It demonstrates how the broader system would function beyond initial setup.
Designing the Account experience required:
▶ Clear system structure
▶ Consistent visual language
▶ Attention to UI detail and reuse
▶ Clear system structure
▶ Consistent visual language
▶ Attention to UI detail and reuse
Together, these screens show how onboarding decisions extend into the rest of the product.
