How to Create a Fitness App in 2025: Steps, Costs, and Common Pitfalls
What started as step counters has turned into full-fledged wellness coaches, and millions of people now use fitness apps every day. If you’re thinking about creating one, you’re not late to the game—it’s just getting started.
In January 2025, fitness app downloads hit their highest point since 2022, and revenue from in-app purchases soared to $385 million — a 10% year-over-year increase. But despite growing demand, not every fitness app survives.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a fitness app that users actually stick with — and how to avoid the common traps that bury even the most promising launches.
Understanding Fitness App Development
Building a fitness app isn’t just about counting steps or calories. People today want apps that motivate them, teach them something useful, and blend effortlessly into their everyday routines. If you’re planning to meet these needs, take a look at the things you should focus on
Popular Types of Fitness Apps
No two users are the same, and neither are their goals. That’s why understanding how to create a fitness app that fits a specific niche is so important. Here are the most common categories on the market today:
Notably, "Medical Tracking" apps grew by 43% in 2024, thanks to the viral success of Health Tracker, which reached 10 million users in just five months.
Who's Building Fitness Apps?
While fitness coaches and influencers are big names in the world of app creation, they’re not the only ones involved. Other sectors are getting in on the action, including:
Apps like AllTrails and OnX Hunt have also shown how outdoor-focused apps can monetize pretty well using a mix of subscriptions, community engagement, and personalized insights.
Essential Features for a Successful Fitness App
Your fitness app needs to offer more than just the basics if you want to stand out. Here's what will make a real difference
And if you really want to level up:
- Add an AI coach for personalized tips
- Add a mental health tracker as well
- Include modes that work for different generations, from Boomers to Gen Z
What Technology Stack Should You Use?
The stack you choose can make or break your app's performance and scalability. We've made you a simplified view of a modern fitness app tech stack:
Choosing the right stack can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not already knee-deep in the tech world with its latest buzzwords. Still, finding the technologies that will grow with your app and help you create the best user experience. If you’re unsure about what to choose, the developers from Freshcode can help. We’ve worked with numerous clients to figure out not just how to create fitness app layouts, but how to design the product that actually converts. With our experience in app development, we can guide you through the decision-making process, allowing you to pick the right stack based on your app’s unique needs. We will work with you to ensure your technology foundation is strong and ready to evolve as your app grows.
What About Real Projects? Here’s One We Built
Remember when physiotherapy meant weekly visits and paper exercise sheets? We decided to change that game completely. Our team developed a cutting-edge motion tracking proof-of-concept that demonstrated the potential of smartphone-based exercise analysis.
The challenge is to build a system that can analyze complex body movements using only a standard smartphone camera. No fancy equipment, no expensive sensors — just smart software doing the heavy lifting.
We tackled this head-on with Google's MediaPipe framework, and the results were impressive. Our small team delivered a working proof-of-concept that could:
- Track 33 body landmarks in real-time
- Analyze exercise form with surprising accuracy
- Provide instant feedback on technique
- Measure progress through quantifiable metrics
The takeaway? Don't limit your fitness app vision based on what was possible yesterday. MediaPipe and similar frameworks are opening doors to features that were once reserved for high-end clinical settings. Whether you're building a yoga app that corrects poses or a strength training platform that prevents injuries, these tools are ready to elevate user experience to an entirely new level. The future of fitness guidance isn't just about telling users what to do — it's about showing them how to do it right.
Fitness App Development Process
So, you've made up your mind and decided to dedicate your time, money, and efforts to make your very own fitness app. Great! But what does this process usually look like?
What Went Wrong? Lessons from Fitness App Failures
Unfortunately, not every fitness app story has a happy ending. But why? What are the leading "fitness app killers" out there? Let's take a look at a couple of examples and figure it out together.
Daily Burn (2010s) started off strong, with plenty of users looking to get fit. But over time, it just couldn't keep up. The users found it clunky and outdated. The interface didn’t really vibe with mobile use, and it missed out big time on social features — right when people wanted to work out together.
PumpUp. This one had a solid start but fell off when privacy concerns and weak monetization strategies made users wary. It’s easy to get distracted by growth, but without a solid plan for user trust and sustainable revenue, things can quickly spiral.
So, what exactly went wrong in these cases?
They aren't that isolated, to be honest. They reflect the common pitfalls many fitness app developers face. Let’s break them down.
There’s a big difference between having an idea and knowing how to develop a fitness app that survives past the download. Knowing what NOT to do might help you in the future :)
Security and Compliance
Health and fitness apps that handle sensitive data must comply with regulations that include
Encryption, anonymity, and user consent mechanisms must be built into your architecture from day one.
Development Costs: What to Expect
If you're thinking about launching a fitness app, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is, “How much will it cost to build?”
Let’s break down the costs at each development stage so you can see the full picture.
Breakdown of costs in stages
Total development time (excluding maintenance)
1,370 – 2,550 hours
Cost estimates based on developer rates:
Developer rates can vary significantly by region. For instance, hourly rates in Ukraine typically range between $25 and $45. Here’s what the total cost looks like depending on the rate:
- At $25/h, the total cost ranges from $34,250 to $63,750
- At $45/h, it can range from $61,650 to $114,750
This estimate includes everything from idea validation and design to launch and early support. While this is a major investment, it's also the foundation for a scalable fitness business with long-term growth potential—especially if you plan to monetize through subscriptions, ads, or in-app purchases.
The Generational Split: Who Uses What?
Different generations use apps in different ways, so it’s worth figuring that out early to make sure your design actually clicks with your audience.
Tailor your messaging and UX accordingly, and you’ll likely see better engagement and retention.
The fitness app market is growing, but so are user expectations. To succeed in 2025 and beyond, you need a well-defined niche, secure and scalable tech, and a product that offers real, trackable value.
Not sure where to begin? Freshcode helps founders and businesses build fitness apps from scratch — from idea validation to post-launch scaling. Get in touch, and let’s build something users will adopt as their wellness companion for years.
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