The Role of Mobile Apps in Australia’s Fitness Industry 

One good thing that happened due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic is that almost everyone has started to care a bit more about their health and started working out to have a better chance at survival.  

There isn’t a field that technology hasn’t expanded in, with health and fitness apps being no different than other specific apps made for customer convenience, providing hassle-free experiences worth remembering.  

The continuously revolutionizing technology has evolved the world of fitness and health by making it exceptionally convenient for users to work out and check their health with a tap without worrying about getting new regimes to suit them better. If you belong to the younger generation, then you must be aware that the sky is the limit when it comes to health and fitness apps, as there is an app for almost everything out there, be it calorie count or workout regimes, making them desirable by users. 

The pandemic made health and wellness apps rise to unprecedented growth levels and usage, enjoying millions of downloads by users daily. If you guys remember, traditionally, you would need to buy a gym membership, hire trainers and nutritionists to maintain your health or join fitness classes that would cost you big bucks, but with the invention of health and fitness apps, it has become incredibly effortless for you to maintain your health without spending big bucks. 

 The popularisation of health and fitness apps has opened the door to a plethora of opportunities for app development companies to make big bucks by creating user-specific apps for their clients. Now, almost everyone knows that there is no one-size-fits-all mantra for anyone when it comes to maintaining one’s health and fitness due to every individual having specific needs in terms of health. 

 A holistic health program is the way to go if you are a beginner planning to start your health and fitness journey, as it focuses on the well-being of your entire being – soul, mind and body. With health and fitness on the rise, it is the best time for app development companies to invest in it, as people are eager to get on with the latest fitness trends. 

What Is A Health And Fitness App? 

Are you looking to lose weight but don’t have the time to visit a gym to exercise daily? Before we discuss the benefits and key features of a health and fitness app, we need to know what a health and fitness app is and how it works.  

In simple terms, a health and fitness app is a tool designed especially for individuals with a busy schedule or those who lack the confidence to exercise in front of other individuals, as they allow users to exercise in the comfort of their home with brilliant workout plans and nutritional advice from experts for free.  

These health and fitness apps offer several features and tools to aid individuals in their fitness journey, like exercise routines, nutritional intake trackers, monitoring health metrics, and expert guidance to achieve fitness goals.  

The country is known for its beautiful landscapes, and kangaroos also have a rich history of sporting cultures and physical activities; hence, there has been robust growth in the rise of health and fitness apps in the country.  

The primary reason for the rise of these apps in the country is the convenience and accessibility they provide users with, as users no longer need to spend big bucks to begin their fitness journey and can carry their trainers in their pockets. 

One can download an app like MyFitnessPal and start their journey worry-free, as this app allows individuals to track their calories and exercise at the same place without spending hefty cash. If you are a busy individual with a 9 to 5 job, then health and fitness apps are the perfect fit for you, as now you can access workout routines, diet plans, etc., anywhere and start on your fitness journey without waiting for the ideal time and place. 

Statistically, health and fitness apps are expected to generate an estimated revenue of 781.90 m USD by 2029, with the annual growth rate being 5% from 2024 due to the adoption of these apps following the pandemic. In Australia, more adults are leaning towards using health and fitness apps with time, but there has been a noticeable uptick in the younger generation using these apps. 

I have noticed that there is an app catering to every specific health need one could imagine, be it losing weight, gaining weight or building muscles, for an affordable subscription. Even though app developers notice the growth in the health and fitness app industry, they still ponder if they should create one due to the increasing competition between apps offering similar features, leading to a lesser revenue generation.  

Types Of Health And Fitness Apps – 

My fitness needs might differ from another person’s, leading me to need a different type of app compared to my counterparts, thus the reason behind the array of health and fitness apps available in the market. The technological era has birthed health and fitness apps for individuals with a busy schedule, making it convenient for them to keep up with their fitness journey alongside their work.  

Haven’t health and fitness apps motivated you to start on your fitness journey by making it accessible, convenient and cheaper for you? There is an app out there for everyone catering to their specific needs, so let’s discuss some of the more popular ones. 

1. Activity Tracking Apps   

Would you describe yourself as a fitness fanatic with a fondness for running and hiking? If yes, then you will love activity-tracking apps like Strava and Fitbit because they can help you estimate your steps and calories. Activity-tracking applications are tailored primarily for individuals who would like to see their everyday exercise averages in terms of distance, speed, time taken, or calories consumed, among others.  

Moreover, they can evaluate variations in heartbeats per minute (BPM), the number of steps climbed up or down a flight of stairs, as well as the kind of incline experienced on the mountain slopes. Social integration is one feature that makes activity-tracking apps interesting; users can link with each other and have their goals automatically shared with friends every day. 

2. Home Workout And Training Apps- 

Some people fail to find time to go to fitness facilities since they have tight schedules or do not feel comfortable when exercising in public places hence, home workouts and training apps such as Sweat or Nike Training Club could be an excellent fit for them because these enable users to work from their homes.  

These apps aim to provide a set of different regimes to users with instructions and videos demonstrating the exercises so they can find the one that suits them best. The best aspect of these apps is the flexibility they provide the users by allowing them to exercise at any time without the need to stick to a strict schedule. 

3. Nutrition And Diet Apps  

Are you planning a calorie-deficit diet without losing essential nutrients to help with your fitness journey? If yes, download a nutrition and diet app like Lifesum or MyFitnessPal today, as they will help you do the same by allowing you to log in your daily food intake and get the nutritional value.  

The best feature of these apps is that they enable users to plan their daily meals with delicious recipe suggestions that help them meet their fitness goals. These apps also allow you to get personalized meals for a minimum subscription fee with several other beneficial features.    

4. Meditation And Yoga Apps 

If you are someone who doesn’t prefer working out in a gym or doing core-strength training, then meditation apps are the best fit for you as they allow you to perform light yoga under expert guidance to help in your fitness journey. 

These meditation and yoga apps offer guided meditation and yoga sessions with instructions and videos demonstrating the right way to do them so one doesn’t get hurt during one of these sessions. These apps are flexible and provide sleeping aids, thus making them the perfect fit for users having mental health issues.   

Benefits Of Health And Fitness Apps- 

In today’s generation, where good looks have taken priority over everything else, health and fitness apps offer valuable insights to individuals, with a desire to fit into society by helping them achieve their dream physique. How many of us have made a New Year resolution to lose weight in a year but failed to keep the resolution?  

The invention of health and fitness apps has changed how individuals view the health and fitness industry by allowing them to meet their fitness goals from their homes. Currently, the younger part of the population is leaning towards using health and fitness apps to help them maintain their fitness without the fear of getting judged for being out of shape.  

The shift in the use of health and fitness apps has opened up doors of opportunity for iPhone and Android app development companies to build app that runs seamlessly on both. 

1. Convenience And Accessibility 

If you have a busy schedule, I am sure the innovation of health and fitness apps has helped you significantly to keep up with your fitness journey. Health and Fitness apps have made it convenient for individuals to exercise anytime, anywhere, eliminating the need to visit gyms for workouts. These apps offer unique features to the users like guided workout routines that can be done at home or while travelling, thus saving users time and ensuring consistency in their fitness regimen. The best part is you can track your progress and set your next goal with ease by providing the required details to the apps. 

2. Easy To Keep Track Of The Progress You Make 

Isn’t it equally important to know how close you are to your end goal during your fitness journey, as it helps you understand what you are doing wrong or what more needs to be done? A health and fitness app makes it easy for you to keep track of your progress, nutrition, and workout plans, thus letting you know if you are moving in the right direction and being accountable for your mistakes. These apps help you stay on the right path by holding you responsible for your mistakes during your fitness journey. 

3. Personalized Programs 

The best thing about these apps is that they provide you with the ability to plan your workout programmes and calorie intake under the guidance of an expert for a portion of the price you would need to spend if you hire personal trainers. Many health and fitness apps use information like age, weight, height, and fitness level to make a workout and fitness plan that fits the user’s needs to help them meet their fitness goals faster. 

4. Community Support  

There are several individuals out there trying to get fit, and when all of them have the opportunity to come together and share their progress to motivate others in the same boat, a great community of supportive individuals is formed. A health and fitness app serves as a brilliant platform for individuals on their fitness journey to come together to make a community to encourage people with similar struggles. 

5. Cost-Effective 

Aren’t personal trainers, nutritionists and gym membership an expensive option compared to health and fitness apps that provide similar benefits? If you have failed to notice, then let me tell you most of these health and fitness apps are free to use by individuals, or they can pay a portion of the price in subscription fees to use these apps. Even apps with advanced features are available for fitness enthusiasts to use at an affordable price compared to gym memberships. 

6. Expert Guidance     

Do you know what you could get for a fraction of a gym membership price? The health and fitness apps offer users expert guidance catering to their specific needs to help them achieve their goals faster compared to gym trainers without charging hefty amounts, thus making it a preference for individuals on a tight budget. 

Key Features In A Health And Fitness App – 

With time, a health and fitness app has become necessary for individuals planning to start their fitness journey from their homes without stepping out and going to the gym. The health and fitness app development market is a hot space, with multiple app developers trying to earn big bucks by offering unique features to users. 

An app development company need to ensure they offer something unique to their users to stand out in the crowd of millions of health and fitness apps in the market. In health and fitness apps, features and functionality are no longer optional, as they impact the app’s efficiency. These unique elements improve the user experience, offer insightful information, and give people the confidence to take control of their fitness journey.  

1. User Interface 

Are you aware of the features that can make an app an instant hit in the market?  A clean, intuitive, user-friendly interface with easy navigation is the prime feature required for attracting users to the app. This feature allows users to get into different parts of the app without any challenge, thereby improving their general experience. When they can locate information or tools they require with ease, users are more likely to continue using the app and inform others about it.  

2. Activity Tracking  

One needs to track their progress to know if they are on the right path or if one needs to take a different approach to get better results hence, you need to offer an activity tracking feature on your app. Activity tracking features like step counting, calories burned, and distance covered are a must-have for your app to stand out in the crowd.  

3. Workout Routines And Videos  

Who would use an app with no workout routines and videos demonstrating challenging exercises for free? Workout routines and videos are a crucial part of fitness that needs to be kept in mind while building a health and fitness app. By adding a variety of workout regimes and instructional videos, you will be able to attract a broader number of fitness enthusiasts in the price range they are comfortable spending. You could ensure that you earn a profit by offering basic workout regimes for free and premium regimes for a subscription. 

4. Diet And Nutrition Plans– 

Do you know what else would be the perfect fit for your health and fitness app? A feature that provides comprehensive diet and nutritional plans to users catered to their needs to help you build a well-rounded and personalized approach to fitness and wellness. This feature allows users to log their meals, track calories, and access the food database with recipes to help them understand the importance of nutrition better. 

5. Detailed Profile  

A feature that allows users to fill a basic health profile with pivotal details like weight, height, allergies, and goals at registration to help you better understand their needs and offer solutions tailored for them to enhance the user experience without becoming overbearing. You need to ensure your app allows a smooth onboarding process for the users by allowing them to sign up using a mobile number or email id. 

6. Notifications – 

No matter what kind of app you plan to create, push notifications will always be vital as they help brands keep users interested by continuously engaging with them. You may notify your users about new workout regimes, diet plans, recipes, reminders to exercise, hydration alerts, and motivation.   

7. Community– 

Everyone working to lose weight requires motivation, and friends are in the same boat from time to time, so you need to ensure you provide a built-in community function in your app that allows users to interact and exchange their progress and stories with other users. A vibrant community increases user engagement, promotes information exchange and builds trust.  

  

8. Integration With Other Devices – 

You should ensure your app allows seamless integration with other health and fitness apps. Thus, users can merge their health data in one place, which gives them a better idea of their overall wellness. Imagine how much popularity your app will gain if it can run effortlessly on mobile devices and Fitbits.  

9. Digital Consultations With Experts 

If you are planning to create a health and fitness app that allows users to plan their diet and workout regime, then a digital consultation with a dependable health professional feature is a must-have, as it will help users better understand the importance of nutrition. This feature allows individuals to build their confidence and accessibility to healthcare by providing easy access to professional advice, treatment plans, and drug administration. 

   

10. Period Tracking – 

If you are planning a health and fitness app, then you need to add a period-tracking feature to attract female fitness enthusiasts, as there are very few health and fitness apps that cater to the female menstrual cycle and needs. This feature allows users to forecast pivotal stages of periods like PMS and fertility windows while visually tracking changes in the menstrual cycle to help them plan their workouts better. 

Challenges And Considerations In Building A Health And Fitness App 

Even though there has been a significant change in the world of health and fitness app development, there are certain things that still hold the industry back from reaching its full potential. 

1. Data Security – 

The concern of users about their data security isn’t baseless, as often time hackers often use information from these apps to gain access to users’ details and use them for their benefit. Users need assurance that their personal information is safe and protected from outsiders to use these apps freely. App developers of health and fitness apps need to incorporate new and high-tech security measures to ensure sensitive data remains safe from people’s access.  

2. Content Quality  

Content Quality takes priority over any other feature an app development company could offer to their clients for them to keep being part of the market. Many health and wellness apps provide users with fake data to improve their logistics and attract customers, but users need accurate data to deal with their fitness goals. App developers must collaborate with certified professionals to provide the required information to the users.   

Future Trends For Health And Fitness Apps – 

Advanced features are not only improvements in the constantly changing field of health and fitness tracking apps; they are necessary to provide a remarkable user experience to clients. By addressing specific needs, these health apps enable fitness enthusiasts to proactively, safely, and successfully manage their health.   

1. Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning  

The future of practically everything is artificial intelligence and health and fitness apps are no different because of their capacity to evaluate user data and assist people in reaching their objectives by offering them personalized workouts, tailored nutrition advice and predicting potential injuries. Artificial Intelligence-powered chatbots will prove to be revolutionary for users to achieve their goals as they can help solve any query related to fitness at any time. 

2. Virtual And Augmented Reality   

Virtual and Augmented reality is another revolutionary technology that can benefit health and fitness app development companies in developing brilliant apps that will provide an immersive workout experience. This technology can simulate an array of environments, thus making the workout process engaging and enjoyable for individuals. 

3. Integration With Wearable Technology  

Over a few years, the integration of health and fitness apps with wearable technology like smartwatches, etc., will become more prevalent, so they can provide real-time data on various health metrics, which can be synced with devices to provide a comprehensive tracking experience. This technology integration will allow for accurate monitoring and feedback for the users. 

Cost Of Developing A Health And Fitness App 

Costs associated with developing a health and fitness app in Australia may differ widely based on several factors, including the complexity of the app, its features, design and continuous maintenance. 

1. App Complexity and Features 

• Basic Features: Simple health and fitness apps with basic functionalities such as activity tracking, workout schedules, and diet logs may cost around AUD 50,000 to AUD 100,000. 

• Advanced Features: On the other hand, some have advanced features like real-time tracking, wearable integration capabilities, and social components like personalized plans and in-app purchases that can go around AUD 100,000 to AUD 200,000 or more. 

• Highly Complex Apps: There are also highly complex apps that include AI-driven suggestions and VR/AR integration requiring data analytics whose costs can exceed AUD 200k. 

2. Design and User Interface 

• Basic Design: In this case, a practical design will cost somewhere between $10k and $30k. 

• Custom Design: Customized graphics animation polished designs with user interactions could be anything between $30k to $70k or maybe higher. 

3. Platform 

• Single Platform (iOS or Android): It is cheaper to develop an application for just one platform. This can range from AUD 50,000 to AUD 100,000. 

• Developing an application for both iOS and Android by using frameworks such as React Native or Flutter will cost between AUD 100,000 and AUD 150,000. 

• Native Development for Both Platforms: Creating two separate native applications for iOS and Android can be more expensive, with a possibility of reaching over AUD 200,000. 

4. Development Team 

• Freelancers: Hiring individual freelancers can be a cheaper option, but project management may become complicated. The cost may vary between AUD 50,000 to AUD 150,000, depending on the complexity of the application. 

• Local Development Agencies: Contracting local development agencies gives higher professionalism and dependability. Costs usually range from AUD 100,000 to AUD 250,000. 

• Offshore Development: Engaging in offshore teams will reduce costs, but it bears communication problems and quality control issues. The expenses vary between $50,000 to $150,000. 

5. Ongoing Maintenance and Updates 

• Regular Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance, including bug fixes and minor updates, often costs around $10k to $30k per year on average annually 

• Significant Updates and New Features: Introducing new features or making significant updates could increase annual costs by about AUD20k –AUD50k at least. 

Conclusion  

Honestly, if you ask for my opinion, the health and fitness app development field is not just a process of creating fun apps with minimal information but an app that provides plenty of opportunities for users to jump on the bandwagon to enhance their fitness journey. This is the perfect opportunity for a reputable mobile app development company to tap into the opportunities of this rapidly growing industry. 

7 Pillars, a brilliant iPhone app development company, with years of expertise, is available at your service to turn your dream health and fitness app into a reality. The health and fitness mobile app development industry is more profitable than ever for entrepreneurs to invest in, thanks to the change in user preference seeking an at-home workout experience similar to a gym.  

The increase in people’s love for at-home workouts in Australia has generated a substantial need for health and fitness apps as they offer convenience and accessibility to fitness enthusiasts by making the entire process of the fitness journey memorable. At 7 Pillars, an iPhone app development company, our team excel in integrating cutting-edge technology into our client’s dream app to evolve the world of health and fitness app development.  

Our technocrats are experts in creating reliable software solutions for our client’s health and travel apps by understanding their vision and goals.  

At 7 Pillars, our technocrats are experts in harnessing the latest technologies, so our client’s software enhances project efficiency, facilitates informed decision-making, and optimizes operations. If you are a business owner looking to make a new investment in the development of a health and fitness app, then look no further and contact are team at 7 Pillars today.