15 Essential Features Every Fitness App Needs to Succeed
Published: March 27, 2025
14 min read
In this article, you'll learn:
1
🏋️ User Engagement & Retention in Fitness Apps
2
🏅 15 Essential Fitness App Features
3
🗂️ Stormotion Expertise in Fitness App Development
4
💡 Takeaways
The fitness app market is still growing, with millions of people looking for ways to become fit and healthy. The Fitness App Market Size, Share And Growth Report, 2030 by Grand View Research states that the market is projected to reach $23.35 billion by 2030. This is your chance to take a share of it.
But while the download rate is high, increasing user retention is a real challenge.
Many fitness apps start with lots of buzz, but users start losing interest after a few weeks. So, what makes some fitness apps addictive while others abandoned?
The secret is in providing continuous value. Fitness app features that keep users motivated, offer personalized workout tips that actually work for the user, and create some kind of community feeling are what you should add to your app. In this article, we’ll explore 15 essential features that transform users into loyal ones.
👉 Looking to take your fitness app to the next level? Keep reading!
🏋️ User Engagement & Retention in Fitness Apps
The reality of fitness apps is obvious when you know the real data.
Let’s look at the user churn numbers:
- According to the OneSignal report, health and fitness apps have a retention rate of just 8.48% by day 30, compared to 28% by day 1.
- The Health & Fitness App Benchmarks (2025) report by Business of Apps highlights that users spend only four minutes per day on fitness apps. That’s a short time to make a lasting impression, isn’t it?
Many fitness apps can’t retain users due to common issues:
- Lack of Personalization. Out-of-the-box workouts don’t adapt to user progress, and they can’t get better results.
- Poor User Experience. Users don’t like complicated navigation or fixed functionality.
- Limited Motivation. Users don’t use the app if they don’t see compelling challenges they want to overcome.
How to avoid these issues and increase user retention? Let’s find out in the next section!
🏅 15 Essential Fitness App Features
Fitness apps need more than workout videos to turn downloads into active, loyal users. Here is the fitness app features list you can add to your app to stay ahead of the competition.
15 must-have fitness app features (image by Stormotion)
# 1. AI-Based Personalized Workout Plans
This is obvious: not everyone has the time, budget, or desire to hire a personal trainer. But they want to see real results after the training. And today we have a working solution. Artificial Intelligence can prepare custom training programs by analyzing user data, including physical levels, workout history, and goals.
Explore AI-powered features of fitness apps like Freeletics and Fitbod. They use AI to offer users personalized workout programs that adapt to user performance and fitness goals. Such personalization makes users feel like they have a personal fitness coach who knows when to add intensity and when to offer shorter workout sessions.
Business Impact: AI-based workout plans increase user engagement and long-term app retention. They give users the feeling the app knows their physical capabilities and adapts to them rather than the standard fitness protocol.
📌 Read our comprehensive guide on how to create a fitness app to learn more.
# 2. Wearable & IoT Integration
One of the must-have features of a fitness app is seamless connectivity. Your users aren’t just tracking their workouts on your app — they’ve got smartwatches, fitness trackers, or even BLE-enabled gym equipment.
For example, MyFitnessPal syncs with everything from Fitbit to Garmin, giving users a complete view of their health. Peloton takes it even further, connecting wearable devices to their exercise bikes and displaying live performance stats.
Business Impact: You should offer fitness app connectivity with wearables and connected fitness equipment to create a more data-driven fitness experience.
📌 Thinking about wearable application development? Read our article on the topic!
# 3. Gamification & Social Engagement
What is the main reason for users to give up on training? They lose motivation. But gamification features can change the user experience.
Statista states that Americans spend 1 to 5 hours per week on video games. Make your fitness app more like a game with tasks and missions rather than a boring training program. Fitness application features like achievement badges, leaderboards, and friendly challenges boost users’ competitive nature.
Let’s see what market leaders do to increase use of their fitness apps. Strava uses social challenges and leaderboards to compare users’ performance. Peloton uses virtual high-fives and live class rankings to encourage users to push harder. Freeletics connects users with like-minded fitness enthusiasts for mutual motivation and competitiveness.
Business Impact: Gamification and social connection motivate users to open your app and show themselves.
Ready to build a successful app that users love?
Let’s talk
# 4. On-Demand & Live Workout Classes
Some people can’t do workouts without the energy of live classes. Others prefer the flexibility of on-demand sessions. Offering both mobile gym app features means you can satisfy the needs of both categories.
Peloton offers interactive live-streamed workouts where instructors call participants by name. At the same time, Les Mills+ offers comprehensive on-demand libraries, so users can work out whenever they have time.
Business Impact: Users feel connected and motivated when they can engage with trainers in real time. On the other hand, on-demand options ensure they never miss a workout. You can use a freemium subscription and a pay-per-class option to increase user retention.
# 5. Data-Driven Insights & Progress Tracking
One of the biggest motivators for fitness app users is to track their progress. You can visualize their achievements through interactive graphs, milestone reports, and AI-generated insights.
Fitbit is a leader in progress tracking, providing users with detailed monthly reports, goal-setting functionalities, and personalized recommendations. You can also integrate fitness application features that transform raw data into insights, where users see their progress.
Business Impact: Tracking results turns fitness into a rewarding experience. Progress graphs are like dopamine that motivates users to achieve better results.
📌 Check out our guide on how to create a fitness tracking app.
# 6. In-App Messaging & Virtual Coaching
Many newbies need guidance and somebody who can answer their questions. In-app messaging and virtual coaching features of fitness apps can be the reason to choose your product.
AI coaches can give personalized workout tips based on user progress, and human trainers can provide real-time feedback through chat or video calls. You can also add push notifications with motivational messages to enhance user engagement.
Apps like Future offer 1:1 coaching with fitness professionals to ensure users stay motivated.
Business Impact: Personalized support reduces user drop-off, especially during the critical first month of fitness app use.
📌 You can find more details about virtual coaching in the personal training app guide.
# 7. Personalized Nutrition Plans
Fitness enthusiasts can’t deny the importance of nutrition in achieving fitness results (e.g., weight loss). They value features of a fitness app that provide comprehensive support through personalized meal plans and calorie tracking.
Apps like MyFitnessPal make calorie tracking effortless with barcode scanning and balanced meal plan suggestions. Noom has a slightly different approach. The app uses a behavioral approach by offering personalized nutritional programs and emotional support.
Business Impact: Combining workouts and nutrition enhances user satisfaction and increases retention since healthy eating habits help achieve fitness goals faster.
# 8. Mental Well-Being Features
Mental and physical health go hand in hand. Including mindfulness exercises and a sleep tracker in your fitness application features can differentiate your provide and provide a more holistic health experience.
Calm, for example, syncs with Apple Health and Google Fit to monitor stress levels and recommend personalized meditation sessions. It’s a smart move for fitness apps to incorporate similar features because health is also about mental health.
Business Impact: Supporting both body and mind keeps users loyal, making your app a long-term wellness partner.
Mindance provides mental well-being resources for corporate employees (image by Stormotion)
Stormotion Case Study: Mindance |
Mindance is a B2B2C company who offer their services to over 1,400 companies. They provide mental well-being platform for corporate wellness. They hired our outstaff developers to build an app that delivered interactive courses, podcasts, and mindfulness training. Key Features We Developed:
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Read more details about this project 👇
# 9. Geolocation for Outdoor Workouts
For runners, cyclists, and hikers, geolocation functions are a must. You can incorporate best route recommendations, distance mapping, and weather updates into your fitness app features list to elevate the users’ outdoor workout experience.
Nike Run Club does this exceptionally well. They provide route recommendations, real-time distance tracking, and insights that users can share with their fitness community.
Business Impact: Geolocation enhances app stickiness since it’s an important feature for those who like outdoor activities.
📌 Want to know more about fitness app development cost ? Check out our article.
# 10. Online Store & In-App Purchases
Adding an online store as one of the fitness app features opens up new revenue streams. You can offer to buy fitness equipment, supplements, or premium workout plans (e.g., with fitness influencers) within the app.
Peloton and FitOn have online stores with different fitness-related services. When users can find everything they need in one place, they’re more likely to stick around.
Business Impact: In-app purchases provide additional revenue while increasing brand loyalty. You can partner with fitness equipment manufacturers to offer discounts for your users.
# 11. Accessibility Features
Fitness should be for everyone. You should add gym application features, such as voice commands, screen reader support, and adjustable fonts to make your mobile app more inclusive.
For example, FitOn offers guided workouts with visual demonstrations and subtitles, accommodating users with different abilities.
Business Impact: Improved accessibility broadens your user base and enhances your brand reputation.
Thinking about adding these features to your fitness app?
Get in touch
# 12. Progress Photos & Measurements
Visual proof of progress is powerful. Offering users fitness app features to log progress photos and track body measurements helps them celebrate their wins.
Body by Blogilates allows users to compare side-by-side photos over time, turning their fitness journey into a visual story. Seeing physical changes keeps users coming back to your app and continuing exercising.
Business Impact: Visual proof of progress strengthens emotional connections to the app, increasing user retention.
# 13. Pre/Post-Natal Workouts
Expecting and new mothers often seek specialized fitness application features. Offering trimester-specific workouts and postpartum recovery programs with safety guidelines can meet their needs.
Studio Bloom specializes in pregnancy-safe activities with safety workout tips and guided sessions. Providing support during a crucial life stage builds trust and long-term loyalty.
Business Impact: Niche offerings can significantly increase user acquisition and retention.
📌 If you don’t know what fitness app type to build, read our guide on innovative fitness application ideas.
# 14. Injury Recovery Programs
Fitness isn’t always about pushing limits. It’s also about recovery. You can add injury-specific workout plans as your special gym app features to help users safely recover. But it’s better to develop such plans with physiotherapists to ensure the right workout pace.
Kaia Health uses AI to deliver customized therapy programs, tracking progress and adapting as users heal. Integrating similar programs into your app shows users you’re with them for the long run.
Business Impact: Injury recovery features add value to your app and expand your audience.
The Caspar Health app provides rehabilitation progress programs for faster recoveries (image by Stormotion)
Stormotion Case Study: Caspar Health |
Caspar Health supports more than 260 clinics with a digital rehabilitation mobile app, offering customized recovery plans for patients. The app functionality already helped over 350,000 patients to recover and improve their health. Key Features We Developed:
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Read more details about this project 👇
# 15. Offline Access & Multi-Device Syncing
Not every workout happens within the range of a reliable Wi-Fi signal. Your users can be traveling or running in a remote area.
Offline access fitness app features ensure they can stick to their fitness routine without interruption. Multi-device syncing allows users to continue their training on the other device, ensuring a seamless user experience.
Apple Fitness+ app allows users to download workouts directly to their devices for offline viewing. The app also syncs across smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and even TVs.
Business Impact: Offering offline access and multi-device syncing enhances user satisfaction and retention, reducing the possibility of churn due to connectivity issues.
The best fitness apps are the ones that feel like a personal coach and cheering team all in one. You can choose from the fitness app features list those functionalities that fit your business model and app positioning.
🗂️ Stormotion Expertise in Fitness App Development
At Stormotion, a fitness app development company, we’ve built fitness apps that keep users motivated and engaged. From seamless IoT integrations to accessible design and smart progress tracking — we’ve got it covered.
Let’s discuss how we integrated some of these fitness application features for our clients.
Force USA
Force USA, a leading manufacturer of functional training gear, is selling their devices to 25 countries. They wanted to build a mobile app that helped users exercise with branded equipment. Now, the app serves as a personal fitness assistant, where users can set goals, customize training plans and access video-guided exercises.
Key Features We Developed:
- Personalized Workouts: Users receive tailored training plans and tips.
- Progress Tracking: Goal-based tracking keeps users motivated.
- Video Library: Access to a rich collection of instructional videos.
Check what Todd Gilligan, Innovation Lead of Force USA, says about our cooperation 👇
SportPlus
SportPlus wanted an app that connected their fitness equipment via Bluetooth, turning workouts into immersive experiences.
The SportPlus app allows users to connect their fitness equipment and track real-time performance (image by Stormotion)
Key Features of a Fitness App We Developed:
- BLE Connectivity: Real-time data sync from exercise machines.
- Custom Workout Routines: Personalized training plans.
- Live Progress Monitoring: Real-time feedback during workouts.
STEPR
STEPR, a leading manufacturer of stair-climbing machines, needed to develop a responsive app for device control and interactive features. After implementation of their idea, STEPR equipment has 4.6 rating on their website.
STEPR stair-climbers have a console app that helps users manage their fitness activities and track their progress in real time (image by Stormotion)
Key Features We Developed:
- Machine Control: An Android console app where users can see their progress and adjust the training to their needs.
- Real-Time Metrics: Performance tracking with step-by-step feedback.
- Entertainment Mode: Watch Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify while viewing live fitness data.
💡 Takeaways
Building an app that users love starts with the right fitness app features list.
- AI-based workout plans, on-demand and live classes, gamified challenges, wearable integration, data-driven progress tracking, geolocation, and virtual coaching can enhance user engagement and retention.
- Offering accessibility options, progress photos and measurements, and in-app purchases add even more value.
- Providing mental wellness programs, nutrition tracking, and specialized programs — like injury recovery or pre/post-natal workouts — ensures your app serves diverse user needs.
- Plus, offering offline access and syncing across devices makes workouts more flexible and user-friendly.
Want to boost user retention by adding fitness app features to your product? Get in touch with Stormotion to discuss details.
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Questions you may have
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What are the must-have fitness app features?
Must-have fitness app features include personalized workout plans, data-driven progress tracking, gamification, on-demand and live classes, wearable integration, and virtual coaching. Accessibility, nutrition tracking, and mental wellness features can also improve user experience.
How can gamification improve user engagement in a fitness app?
Gamification adds fun and motivation through challenges, rewards, leaderboards, and progress milestones. It encourages consistent app use and builds a sense of achievement.
Why is wearable device integration important for a fitness app?
Wearables provide real-time data like heart rate, steps, and calories burned, giving users deeper insights into their workouts. Integration also allows for seamless tracking and personalized fitness recommendations.
Can a fitness app offer both on-demand and live classes?
Yes, offering both options allows users to choose between flexible, self-paced workouts and the motivation of real-time sessions with instructors. This variety caters to different preferences and schedules.
How can AI-powered coaching enhance the fitness app experience?
AI algorithms analyze user data to provide personalized workout suggestions and adaptive training plans. This creates a custom fitness journey for every user.
What role does nutrition tracking play in a fitness app?
Nutrition tracking complements workout plans by helping users manage calorie intake, monitor nutrient balance, and stay on track with their health goals. Integration with wearables can offer even more personalized recommendations.
How do social communities boost user engagement in fitness apps?
Social features of fitness apps like chat, challenges, and leaderboards foster a sense of social connection. You can also add a social media share function to allow users to tell about their achievements publicly. Users are more likely to stay consistent when they’re part of a supportive community.
How can Stormotion help with fitness app development?
Stormotion specializes in fitness app software development with personalized features and BLE integration. You can visit our Portfolio page, where we describe our fitness app cases, like STEPR, SportPlus, and ForceUSA.
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