Insights from the Team: Why Design Systems Matter in Consumer Fitness Apps

Why Design Systems Matter in Consumer Fitness Apps

In the fast-paced world of consumer fitness apps, a design system is more than a set of colors and fonts. It is a structured collection of reusable components, interaction patterns, and guidelines that define how an app should look, feel, and behave. A design system acts as the blueprint for creating consistent, intuitive, and scalable user experiences. By bridging the gap between design and development, it ensures that every button, card, or screen layout feels part of a unified whole.

What Does a Design System Include?

At its core, a design system combines:

• Visual style: color palettes, typography, spacing, icons.

• UI components: buttons, inputs, cards, navigation bars, sliders.

• Interaction rules: how components behave when tapped, swiped, or focused.

• Accessibility guidelines: ensuring readability, contrast, and inclusive design.

For fitness apps, this consistency is vital. Users often interact in high-energy, high-distraction moments such as during a workout or while navigating a class schedule on the go. Predictability and clarity in the interface reduce friction, allowing users to focus on their workout instead of the app.

Material 3’s Design Principles

Google’s Material 3 is one of the most widely used design systems today, and its principles make it especially relevant for consumer apps:

• Branded color theming: consistent palettes that strengthen identity and recognition.

• Accessibility first: focus on readability, contrast, and inclusive interaction.

• Adaptable layouts: responsive grids that work across phones, tablets, and wearables.

• Expressive motion: animations that guide, not distract.

• Consistency with flexibility: unified patterns that still allow brand personality.

These principles create experiences that feel modern, accessible, and tailored — qualities that fitness users now expect.

The CityRow Approach for MoveLab

When evolving CityRow’s app, we faced the challenge of merging a patchwork of legacy designs into a cohesive experience. By adopting Material 3’s philosophy, we prioritized accessibility, adaptable layouts, and a refreshed visual identity. We built a core component library that respected the existing brand while embracing Material 3 flexibility. The result was a cleaner and more intuitive app that feels fresh and modern, while still familiar to long-time users.

Final Thoughts

In consumer fitness apps, every interaction matters. A well-defined design system is not just about aesthetics, it’s about building trust, reducing cognitive load, and creating a smooth experience that supports users in moments when focus should be on performance, not navigation. By combining consistency with adaptability, design systems like Material 3 give fitness brands the foundation to scale confidently while still showcasing their unique identity. For companies looking to grow, refine, or modernize their apps, investing in a strong design system is the key to long-term user engagement and brand loyalty.