How to Create a Fitness App

When Are You Ready

For many coaches and trainers, the question arises: when is the right time to launch your own fitness app? A key indicator is that you have valuable content to share (for example, a library of workouts, programs, or courses) and you're seeking a better way to deliver it to clients. If you find yourself sending PDFs, emails, or using private social media groups to deliver programs, a mobile app can provide a much better user experience for your clients, with interactive video workouts, progress tracking, scheduling, and more.

Another sign of readiness is having an audience or client base that would benefit from a more engaging, branded experience. Even if you don't have millions of followers, a dedicated group of clients can make launching an app worthwhile. With Your Move, you'll have a fully branded app on iOS and Android under your own name and logo, lending a professional touch that can help attract new clients and strengthen loyalty among existing ones. You also don't need to be a tech expert; the platform is no-code, and many trainers have launched their apps in just a few months without writing a single line of code.

App Store Assets & Accounts

Before you can launch, you'll need to set up developer accounts with Apple and Google. Apple requires enrolling in the Apple Developer Program (annual $99 fee) and Google requires a one-time $25 registration for a Google Play Developer account. We recommend creating these accounts under your own name or business; Ymove will then publish your app using your account credentials (so the app appears under your brand). This approach ensures you retain control over your app listings and that any app revenue (subscriptions or sales) goes directly to you.

Once your accounts are ready, prepare the following assets needed for the App Store and Google Play:

• App Name: A catchy name for your app (up to 30 characters on iOS, 50 on Android) along with an optional subtitle or short tagline.
• App Icon: A high-resolution square image (e.g. 1024×1024 PNG) representing your brand. Make sure it looks good at small sizes and has no transparent background.
• Screenshots: Screenshots of your app interface and workouts. Plan to create at least 4 to 5 good screenshots for each platform (Google Play requires a minimum of 4 screenshots). These images should showcase key features of your app. You can use actual screenshots from a device or design graphics that include your app screens and explanatory text.
• App Description: A clear description of what your app offers. You can use up to 4000 characters to describe your features, programs, and the benefits of using your app. Include any unique value (e.g. community support, new content updates) that will interest your target users.
• Privacy Policy URL: A publicly accessible webpage that outlines how you handle user data and privacy. Both Apple and Google will require this link during the submission process.
• Additional Graphics: Google Play requires a Feature Graphic (a banner image, 1024×500 px) for your store listing. While Apple's App Store doesn't use a banner, you might want to prepare an app preview video (optional) for either store to showcase your app in action. Both stores allow you to add a short promo video; on Google Play it appears in your listing (via YouTube link) and on Apple it can be shown as an App Preview.

After gathering these assets, the Your Move team will compile your app and submit it to the app stores for review. Keep in mind that the review process can take some time (for example, Google's review for new apps can take about a week or more, and Apple's review may take a few days to a week). It's a good idea to plan your launch date with this in mind and have everything ready in advance. Ymove will handle the technical submission steps, but you should be prepared to respond if the app stores require any changes or additional information during review.

How to Shoot Video

High-quality workout videos are the cornerstone of your app's content. Follow these tips when filming your exercise videos to ensure they look professional and are easy for users to follow:

1. Location: Pick a filming location that suits the experience you're providing. A clean, distraction-free background (white, gray, black or neutral) keeps the focus on the movement. If shooting outdoors, try to film on a cloudy day to avoid harsh shadows. If you plan to film in a gym or public space, be sure to obtain any necessary permission or permits.
2. Lighting: Good lighting makes a huge difference in video quality. Make sure your scene is well-lit so that your form is clearly visible. For indoor shoots, consider using soft box lights or ring lights to illuminate yourself evenly. If filming outdoors, the best times are often early morning or late afternoon (around sunrise or sunset) when the light is softer.
3. Frame: Always film in portrait (vertical) orientation, since your app will be viewed on mobile devices. Keep the camera far enough to capture your entire body and all movements in the frame. For some exercises, you might film a couple of different angles to demonstrate proper form, especially for complex or side-profile movements.
4. Show Yourself: Remember that users are subscribing because of you. Be present and face the camera during your demonstrations. Building a personal connection is important. Your clients trust your expertise, so let your personality and coaching style come through on video.
5. Right Clothes: Wear clothing that contrasts with your background and highlights your movements. Generally, solid darker colors (e.g. black or navy blue) work well on camera. Avoid outfits with busy patterns or stripes, as these can create visual artifacts (like a moiré effect) on video and distract the viewer.
6. Audio: We recommend minimal or no talking in the raw video. In Your Move, you can add written descriptions for each exercise, so you don't necessarily need to explain form cues on camera. Excess audio can actually distract users from watching the exercise. If needed, you can always record voice-over instructions separately or let the app's text guidance speak for itself.
7. Video Duration: Keep each exercise clip short, roughly 4 to 6 seconds is ideal. Your app will loop these clips during the workout, so a few seconds is usually enough to demonstrate the motion. Shorter videos also load faster and take up less space on users' devices.
8. Editing: After filming, trim and edit your videos to make them clean and professional. Cut out any dead time (like walking to the camera to turn it on/off). You can also add simple title cards or transitions if desired, but keep it straightforward. There are many easy online video editors available; for example, Vimeo Create is one of our favorites for quick editing. Use these tools to ensure good quality, adjust brightness/contrast if needed, and export the videos in a format that works well on mobile (MP4 is a safe choice).

Pricing & Monetization

Deciding how to price your app and content is an important step. The good news is you have flexibility to set prices and create offerings that match your business. The fitness app market is strong. For instance, one report found the average revenue per user for fitness apps is about $64 per year, indicating that users are willing to pay for quality fitness content. Think about the value you're providing (unique programs, direct access to you, personalized plans, etc.) and price accordingly.

On the Your Move platform, you can configure multiple pricing plans and subscription options to fit your strategy. For example, you might offer a 7-day free trial to entice users to sign up, or include some free basic content in the app and charge for premium programs. You could set up a monthly subscription, with a discount for longer commitments (like quarterly or annual subscriptions), or even create tiered plans (Basic, Pro, VIP) with different levels of access. The platform supports one-time purchases as well, so you might sell a standalone 8-week course for a fixed price, alongside subscription options. Consider what model best aligns with your content and audience. Just be clear in communicating what's included at each level.

Ymove also gives you flexibility in how you collect payments. The app supports in-app purchases through Apple and Google, as well as external payment links via web checkout. Using in-app subscriptions means users can subscribe conveniently with their App Store or Google Play account (no separate signup), but note that Apple and Google do take a commission (around 15% for most developers under $1M/year). One benefit of using in-app billing is that Apple/Google handle the sales tax (VAT) collection and remittance globally for you. On the other hand, if you direct users to purchase via an external website (for example, using Stripe), you avoid the app store commission, but you'll be responsible for handling VAT/sales tax in various regions. Your Move provides ready-made web pages for user sign-ups and payments outside the app, which you can use in your marketing (for instance, to let users join via a browser). Many trainers offer both options to give users choice. Just remember that you cannot put a visible link or button inside the iOS/Android app that directs people to an external payment, as this violates app store guidelines.

Marketing Your App

A successful launch doesn't end with just building the app. You need to actively promote it. Ideally, start marketing before the app is live. Your Move helps by providing a customizable landing page for your app, which you can use as a mini-website to showcase your offering. Use this page to collect email addresses (through a waitlist or newsletter signup) so that interested followers can be notified on launch day. Building a waitlist is a great way to gauge interest and have an audience ready to download on day one.

Leverage your social media presence to drive awareness. Announce that your app is coming, share sneak peeks of the app features or the content it will include, and consider creating a unique hashtag for your community. One of the most effective tactics for fitness entrepreneurs is to use short, engaging videos on platforms like Instagram Reels or TikTok to attract new followers. For example, you might post a quick 30-second workout tip or a sample exercise from your app. At the end of the post, include a call-to-action. Invite viewers to download the app and perhaps offer a free mini challenge or a limited-time free trial as an incentive. The goal is to get people excited to try your app.

Once users have downloaded your app, focus on converting them into paying customers and long-term fans. Offer programs or challenges that target their specific goals. The more your content can solve a problem or fulfill a desire, the more likely users are to subscribe. Highlight success stories or testimonials from clients you've helped (if you have them) to build trust. And remember to keep engaging your users: use push notifications (sparingly) to remind people about new workouts or to encourage them (e.g., "Hey, it's workout day 3, let's go!"). A community feature, like in-app group challenges or a discussion forum, can also create accountability and belonging, which helps with retention. Continue to provide value through weekly tips, live Q&As, or new content drops so that your subscribers feel they're getting something fresh on a regular basis.

In summary, launching a fitness app is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. With the right preparation (ensuring you're ready with content, assets, and a marketing plan) and the support of the Your Move platform, you can expand your fitness business beyond the gym and into the pockets of clients worldwide. Good luck with your app launch!