Ryse App Usability Audit:
Improvements for an Active Fitness App
UX/UI Design | App Design | Case Study | User Surveys & Data | Data Reports | UX Metrics
UX/UI & Usability Study | 2021
INTRODUCTION
Ryse Health App Usability Study
Ryse is a social health app designed to help people connect through wellness. The developers set out to create a community-centered experience that encourages meaningful engagement, not competition. Unlike many fitness apps that focus on tracking metrics or paywalling key features, Ryse aims to foster belonging, support, and motivation through shared health goals and authentic interaction.
When I joined the usability study for Ryse, the app was already in development and the team wanted to better understand the needs of first-time users. My focus was on identifying usability issues that could hinder engagement, exploring how users perceived the app’s unique community-driven concept, and translating those insights into actionable recommendations. The process involved observing how users navigated the app, noting pain points, and providing targeted feedback that would help refine the user journey and strengthen the overall experience.
ROLE
UX/UI RESEARCHER
TIMELINE
2021: 8 WEEKS
TOOLS
GOOGLE FORMS, APPLE PAGES, ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
APP DEVELOPERS
TEAM
DELIVERABLES
RESEARCH PLAN, USABILITY TEST & SURVEY, SUMMARY REPORT, RECOMMENDATIONS
OVERVIEW
What is the Ryse Health App?
Ryse is a community-based health app created for people who want a more personal and supportive approach to wellness. Instead of centering on calorie counts or competitive fitness tracking, Ryse encourages authentic connection by allowing users to share progress, exchange motivation, and build a sense of belonging through shared goals.
The developers wanted to explore how new users interact with the app, where they experience friction, and how those interactions influence their motivation to continue. My role was to conduct user research that could uncover these patterns, identify usability challenges, and surface opportunities to create a smoother, more engaging experience.
This project became a deep look into how social connection and usability intersect within health-focused technology. It revealed how even small usability issues can affect trust and motivation, and how thoughtful design decisions can make wellness feel more personal, approachable, and sustainable.
PROBLEM
Many health apps focus on metrics but fail to create real connection.
Most wellness and fitness apps focus on numbers, calorie counts, and performance tracking. While these features can be useful, they often overlook the emotional side of health—connection, encouragement, and belonging. The Ryse team wanted to understand why new users were disengaging early and what barriers stood in the way of creating a more community-centered experience.
THE BRIEF
“What usability issues prevent new users from feeling supported and motivated within the app?”
Hypothesis: If we can pinpoint where users struggle during onboarding and early interaction, we can provide insights that help Ryse improve usability, reduce frustration, and build a stronger sense of connection from the start.
I believe that uncovering these challenges and understanding user expectations can help shape an app experience that feels more human, intuitive, and rewarding. By improving usability, Ryse has the potential to stand out from competitors and create a community where users feel supported, not just tracked.
DISCOVER & DEFINE
Establishing early research goals for the usability study
At the start of this project, I outlined a plan to evaluate the Ryse app’s usability, focusing on the early user experience and onboarding process. My objective was to identify where new users encounter friction and to uncover what aspects of the interface or flow could be improved to better support their goals. I created a structured research plan with defined objectives, success metrics, and deliverables that would give the Ryse team a clear view of user behavior and potential opportunities for refinement.
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The study explored how users interacted with core features such as adding meals, exercise, and hydration data, setting goals, and navigating social elements within the app. I also evaluated how users interpreted in-app terminology like “Recovery,” how they sought help or support, and how easily they could make adjustments to their personal goals. Each objective focused on understanding the relationship between functionality, clarity, and overall satisfaction.
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I measured success using a mix of qualitative and quantitative data. Metrics included task success rate, time on task, errors, and self-reported satisfaction. Additional factors such as learnability, user confidence, and support discovery were analyzed to understand how intuitive the experience felt for first-time users. These insights were later distilled into visual graphs that illustrated user patterns and key findings.
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The main goal was to produce a comprehensive report on how new users experienced the app and provide actionable recommendations for improvement. I wanted to help the Ryse team identify which aspects of the design supported user success and which areas created unnecessary barriers, ultimately guiding them toward a more seamless and engaging onboarding experience.
Insights from competitive research and early testing
To complement the usability study, I conducted a competitive analysis to understand how similar health and fitness apps approached engagement, tracking, and community-building. This helped reveal design patterns that could inform Ryse’s next development phase and highlight opportunities for differentiation.
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I examined apps such as MyFitnessPal, LoseIt, and Fitocracy to understand how they handle daily tracking, data visualization, and social interaction. Many relied heavily on gamified progress tracking or premium paywalls, which often limited the user experience and sense of connection. This validated Ryse’s approach to fostering inclusivity and a more community-driven environment. Most leading fitness apps use gamified progress tracking and frequent notifications to motivate users. While these methods can boost engagement, they often overlook personal connection. This insight reinforced Ryse’s unique focus on community as a differentiator.
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Early usability sessions revealed areas where users hesitated or struggled, such as navigating between health tracking and social features or interpreting certain terminology. These moments of friction provided valuable insights into how UI clarity and content strategy could better support new users.
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User feedback and comparative insights emphasized the need for a balanced experience that blends goal tracking with social motivation. By improving early usability and visual communication, Ryse could establish itself as more than just another fitness app—it could become a platform where health progress feels both personal and shared.
DESIGN & PROTOTYPING
Building a survey that captures real user behavior and intent
To understand how users interact with the Ryse app and where they struggle, I developed a comprehensive survey and usability test that focused on real user goals, not just surface-level functionality.
This approach helped uncover where users felt frustrated or disengaged, particularly around onboarding, daily use, and finding support. I wanted to learn how well the app guided first-time users toward creating healthy, sustainable habits.
The study included both quantitative and qualitative research. Participants completed timed tasks and surveys that captured how easily they could navigate and complete core actions like setting up a profile, logging food, and tracking progress. I then conducted short follow-up interviews with selected participants to gain deeper insights into their behavior and motivations.
The user group included both new and experienced fitness app users between the ages of 20 and 50. Recruiting through Facebook fitness groups, Slack channels, and personal networks created a diverse mix of participants. Offering a small $5 Starbucks gift card encouraged participation without biasing responses. Every insight, even small frustrations, became valuable data that helped define areas for improvement in the app’s design and flow.
Designing for usability and authenticity
Each task was intentionally designed to feel natural and reflect everyday scenarios, such as logging a meal during a busy day or adjusting fitness goals after a workout.
This realistic framing helped surface moments of hesitation, confusion, or success that might not appear in a standard usability test.
FOCUSED USER SCENARIOS
Tasks simulated real-world app use to understand how new and returning users interact with core features.MEANINGFUL METRICS
Each timed test captured where users slowed down or got stuck, revealing areas where design clarity could improve.PERSONAL FEEDBACK LOOPS
Follow-up interviews helped interpret the emotional side of user behavior and identify recurring themes in feedback.ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS
Data from surveys and interviews guided clear recommendations for improving onboarding, navigation, and in-app guidance.
BUILD & REFINE
Compiling findings to uncover deeper usability patterns
Once I completed the survey and interviews, I organized the feedback into clear categories to identify patterns and recurring frustrations. Compiling this data gave me a structured way to connect user struggles with possible design improvements.
From a technical standpoint, this stage was about translating raw feedback into actionable insights. I organized pain points by task flow, documented navigation challenges, and tracked where users dropped off or needed additional guidance.
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Many participants struggled to navigate the app effectively. Some had difficulty finding the right features or understanding how to complete simple tasks like adding meals or accessing settings. A few described the app as “overly complicated.” Several users asked for dark mode, while others mentioned that the interface felt visually cluttered. These findings made it clear that navigation and visual hierarchy needed to be simplified.
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Logging food was a consistent source of frustration. Participants found the default food entries arbitrary and disconnected from how people think about real meals. Creating recipes was even more difficult, with several users unable to locate where that feature lived. Many gave up and searched for individual foods instead. This feedback pointed to a need for more intuitive labeling, better prompts, and streamlined workflows for daily logging.
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While users appreciated the social feed and community interaction, they struggled to find help when they needed it. Some questioned why support options were limited or routed through external platforms. The lack of built-in guidance left users feeling isolated when facing issues. However, many also noted that the social aspect felt familiar and motivating, showing potential for deeper engagement if onboarding and support systems improved.
Turning research into structured insights
After compiling and organizing all survey data, I built a detailed UX report that documented each pain point and proposed design recommendations. Using spreadsheets, heat maps, and visual flow diagrams, I grouped feedback by feature type and user goal. The comparison between Ryse and MyFitnessPal added context, revealing that users valued simplicity, clarity, and predictability in a fitness app’s design. These findings guided how I refined the report and shaped recommendations for the next stage of iteration.
With these insights in place, the report became a roadmap for refining the user experience and guiding the next phase of design improvement, balancing usability with the social energy that made the app stand out.
ITERATION
Turning research findings into actionable insights
Once I organized all user feedback and pain points, I began refining the findings into a clear and actionable report. This stage focused on translating user frustrations into measurable recommendations that could improve navigation, streamline workflows, and enhance accessibility. I wanted the report to feel grounded in real user experiences, so I spent time reviewing each task recording and each interview to make sure every insight reflected what participants actually struggled with.
User Study Plan Methodology and Logistics
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For this study, I conducted a 30-45 minute test to evaluate the user experience of the Ryse app. This included a couple questions with on-boarding, interaction, navigating within the app, pain points, reasons for use, and competitive comparision and analysis.
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Timed online tasks and survey and followed up 1 to 1 phone/in person interviews with a select number (up to 5) participants.
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Participants ranged from 20 to 50 years old and included health app users who use other apps like My FitnessPal, LoseIt, and Noom. Participant profiles included the following relevant information with the following factors:
New users of the Ryse app, current users of My Fitness Pal.
New users who haven’t used any fitness apps and are new to using them to track calories and exercise.
Age and Demographics: Adults from 20 – 50 years old, active and inactive users of social media apps on mobile phones. Prospective new users of the Ryse app, active and inactive users of other fitness apps.
Reasons behind using the app: Restrict test participants to people wanting to lose any amount of weight or maintain their current weight, and not pro-athletes who may skew the statistics/numbers.
Recruitment: I recruited participants through Facebook groups, friends and family, company slack channels, and some fitness related discord servers. Each participant is offered a $5 Starbucks Gift Card for their time and attention.
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Scenario Visualization:
Participants will be asked to imagine the following while taking the test/survey: You’re seeking a fitness app that can integrate into your very busy lifestyle, one that is effortless and easy to use. You don’t want to have to think about what you’re doing, but be excited about adding to your profile dashboard, food/exercise log, and interacting with others in your fitness community. You’d also like to find an easy way to just enter in your food and exercise, understand your fitness level, and gauge caloric intake.
Test Tasks:
Tasks will measure how well new users navigate and interact within the app. This will include the following:Initial Takeaways: Setting up the app and getting familiar with it. Creating a profile and adjusting the user dashboard.
Food Logging and Analysis: Adding in food and exercise, analysis of this interaction.
Adjusting Goals and Caloric Intake: Monitoring caloric intake, adding in water and sleep. Adding in Exercise Goals and what exactly is Recovery.
Getting Help: Navigating to support and asking for help.
Competitive Analysis: My Fitness Pal Interactions and Comparison.
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Users will be asked to use their own equipment including an internet accessible mobile phone and computer to take notes/take the test. They will be asked to download 2 free fitness apps: Ryse and My Fitness Pal through the Apple App store or Google Play store.
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I recruited participants through Facebook groups, professional networks, and word of mouth, offering a small gift card as a thank-you for their time.
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This user study will cost approximately $100-$150. (This is how much it will cost to purchase and send the Starbucks Gift Cards to participants at the end of the study.)
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The plan timeline will take 5 weeks for identifying objectives, creating profiles, recruitment, research, analysis, and reporting.
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By analyzing and reporting my findings, we will be able to find out what works for users and what can be improved. I have also contacted the devs at Ryse for permission to run this study and will be providing my report to them so they can continue to improve the app.
After organizing the methodology details and raw data, I drafted a UX Usability Report that compiled all findings into one structured document. I included graphs, written summaries, and direct user quotes so patterns were easy to see. This helped highlight consistent issues such as difficulty adding food, confusion around recipe creation, and trouble locating support options.
I also outlined recommendations tied directly to the tasks participants completed. Their comparisons between Ryse and MyFitnessPal helped clarify where Ryse felt unfamiliar or overly complex. These insights guided the next steps in refining user flows and identifying which features needed stronger clarity or more intuitive paths.
FINAL REPORT
A clear direction came into focus as the design evolved
Once the study was complete, I gathered every insight, task outcome, and user quote into one cohesive report. My goal was to create a document that developers and stakeholders could read quickly without losing the nuance of what users experienced. I focused on presenting the data in a way that highlighted both the immediate usability challenges and the moments where the app resonated with participants.
The report included distilled pain points, charts that illustrated user behavior, and recommendations tied directly to each task. I wanted the findings to feel practical rather than abstract. By anchoring each recommendation to real user feedback, I made sure the next steps felt grounded in evidence and not personal preference.
I also created a clear hierarchy within the report so readers could move from high level themes to detailed observations without feeling lost. This structure made it easier to understand where users struggled most, such as recipe creation or food logging, and where they felt more confident, like creating posts and engaging with the social feed.
Looking back at the final document, I felt confident that the structure and clarity of the report would support thoughtful improvements to the Ryse app. It provided a solid foundation for future design conversations and helped ensure that user needs stayed at the center of the work moving forward.
OUTCOME
The research uncovered clear opportunities for improvement and set the foundation for meaningful product updates
This process gave me a clear understanding of what users needed from the app and how those needs differed from the current experience. The conversations with users and developers clarified gaps in the workflow, highlighted pain points in real tasks, and revealed the features that would provide the most value. I gained a deeper sense of how users approached the tool in real contexts, which helped me outline a focused plan that was practical for both design and engineering.
I left the project wishing I could have carried the work through a full UX and UI redesign. The insights pointed toward a clear direction and it would have been rewarding to translate those findings into a refined interface and an improved feature set. Even without a full redesign, the final report created a solid roadmap that the team could use to guide future iterations, and I felt proud of the clarity and structure it provided.
REFLECTION
Looking back, this project challenged me to trust my process and stay flexible
This project pushed me to balance structure with intuition. I learned how to stay focused on user needs while working within tight constraints and shifting information. I also learned how to document findings clearly so the team could act on them. Even without seeing the next phase of development, I left the work feeling confident about the clarity and usefulness of the report I delivered.
STAY OPEN AND ADAPT
I learned to adjust the process based on what the project needed in the moment, which helped me stay efficient and avoid unnecessary steps.
COLLABORATE EARLY
I found that checking in with developers early would have helped me validate assumptions faster, and I plan to build that habit into future research projects.DEPTH CREATES CLARITY
I spent most of my time refining the research, because thorough insights made the final recommendations easier for the team to understand and use.
If I could revisit this work, I would follow up with the developers and learn how the report shaped their decisions. That insight would help me understand what resonated most and where I could refine my approach. Even without that visibility, I value how much this project strengthened my research skills and clarified how I want to show up in cross functional work. It reminded me that thoughtful research can drive real momentum and that even small steps forward can support a stronger product direction.