For obese individuals the initial perceptions of exercise is the hardest part, individuals fear the unknown exercise environment and the people that may be in it. This service has been collaborated with BIG Health & Fitness to create an approachable and supportive gym sign up service which is accessed through the search methods that we all use or alternatively by GP referral. The service gives a welcoming introduction to the gym by offering access to trainers and mentors for help and advice where they ease the individual into the gym surroundings and enable them to feel comfortable.
The service begins at an individuals GP appointment or at home. A GP will hand out a friendly leaflet which informs them how the service could help them. Additional information can be accessed on the website where an individual can seek advice, arrange to meet a trainer at an external destination, be matched to a mentor who will exercise alongside them or have access to the online member community portal. These options are offered to individuals throughout their involvement with the service.
This service has been based around communication and community to give obese individuals a gym service that they feel comfortable and confident using.
Touchpoints
The main touchpoints of the service are, a friendly and informative GP leaflet, a social website where the individual can seek advice, book a meeting with a trainer and once a member have access to the online community.
A short animation explaining the main touchpoints and stages of the service designed
The Process
The project began with a range of interviews and observations to find out the main barriers obese individuals have with exercise environments.
Throughout the project a range of co- design sessions were arranged to encourage potential users to generate their ideal service.
Having designed the interactions for the online platform, a range of usability tests were completed with potential users to see how they interacted with the design.
Finally, once all touchpoints and stages of the service had been designed, a service run through was completed to ensure that all interactions between screens, people and physical documents met the users needs.
