In recent years, fitness and health have become the top priority for millions worldwide. Since the pandemic, people have been investing more in their health. The increasing focus on wellness and health has helped virtual fitness apps become the new trend.
According to Wellness Creative Co. the virtual fitness app market is predicted to be worth $33bn by 2027. This growth forecast is largely driven by the rising popularity of virtual fitness apps, which offer users the flexibility to work out anytime, anywhere.
Peloton is one of the top virtual fitness apps worldwide, and its success is proof of the increasing demand for such apps. With companies like Peloton leading the way, users now expect more than just workout videos; they want real-time engagement, personalized experiences, and seamless integration across devices.
In this blog, we break down everything you need to know to build a competitive virtual fitness app in 2025, from market trends and must-have features to design principles and tech stack.
The Peloton app is an online fitness platform, offering a diverse range of workout options and innovative features. Users can access thousands of classes across disciplines such as strength, yoga, meditation, cardio, stretching, cycling, rowing, running, walking, and outdoor workouts, all without the need for specialized equipment.
The Peloton app is unique because it can connect to compatible Peloton machines. Because the equipment is connected, real-time data such as motion, resistance, and output is clear to see on your screen during every live class. Besides, Peloton users can join leaderboard events and create a sense of community and healthy racing with other enthusiasts.
The Peloton app is available for iOS phones and tablets, Android gadgets, and even on smart TVs, so you can use it on any screen you choose. The at-home fitness app allows users to access everything by signing up for a monthly subscription.
Peloton app development requires focus on offering features that enhance accessibility, personalization, and user engagement.
Let’s have a look at the essential features, each designed to contribute to a seamless and motivating virtual fitness experience.
Having a simple onboarding experience allows users to quickly get used to and change the fitness app to fit their requirements. A virtual fitness app, with social login and fitness goal requests can help users with useful advice from the beginning.
There are different types of users with different workouts and goals. The features of the app should offer live and pre-recorded workout sessions, so every user can access the sessions whenever they want to. Workouts should be categorized by type, duration, and difficulty level to make it easy for users to find what aligns with their fitness goals.
Combining smart devices with wearables and sensors lets people monitor their heart rate, calories burned, and how many minutes they worked out. Such insights give users the chance to see how they are doing regularly.
The app should be able to adjust workout routines according to the user’s fitness level and what they like best. These plans should change according to the user’s progress to keep the users engaged.
Many users appreciate following their progress in training. Users should be able to see their history, a weekly summary, and achieved milestones, so they can focus on their progress and remember to celebrate their achievements.
Features like workout groups, chat rooms, and leaderboards inside the app help users form a community, which improves how much they stay with the app and how they feel about it.
The app should be able to support several types of subscriptions, including trial periods, and allow users to pay safely within the app. Easy management of billing and renewals contributes to a smooth user experience.
All these features are important to ensure the virtual fitness app is well-built. To keep up with user expectations in 2025, the app should add personal features, give live response and promote community interaction.
Peloton app development requires a well-built technical structure, attractive user navigation, an advanced backend, and strong data management.
Let’s have a look at the tech stack required to build an app like Peloton:
Using the right framework on the user interface guarantees that the app performs smoothly on different devices. Central to building cross-platform apps, React Native and Flutter use a single codebase to support apps on iOS and Android. Developers who choose to code natively can use SwiftUI on iOS and Jetpack Compose on Android to design appealing and intuitive fitness screens.
To make the app work, there’s a backend system that handles everything from user accounts to planning workouts and keeping statistics. It’s like the app’s brain, storing all the important information and making sure everything runs smoothly, even with lots of users. When the app needs information, such as the user’s workout history or profile details, it asks the backend system for it.
It’s crucial for the app to reliably store all the user information, like user details, exercise routines, and performance records. For organized information, we often use systems like PostgreSQL or MySQL. However, if the way the data is structured changes frequently, you might have to opt for something more flexible, like MongoDB or Firebase Realtime Database. Additionally, to make sure things like leaderboards or class data load incredibly fast, a special “in-memory” storage system called Redis is used.
For any virtual fitness app, having top-quality, low-delay video is essential. To achieve this, different technologies are used depending on the type of video. For regular video streaming, methods like HLS and DASH are good for general viewing. But for more interactive features, like live classes where you need minimal delay, WebRTC is used. Services like AWS Interactive Video Service, Mux, and Agora make the complex process of preparing and sending video to users around the world much simpler. Finally, a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Cloudflare or Akamai ensures that everyone, no matter where they are, gets a smooth and enjoyable video experience
Employing the API provided by each platform, that is, Apple HealthKit for iOS and Google Fit for Android, to get current heart rate and steps data is really important. Once users sync with their smartwatch or fitness tracker, simple exercises can provide them with all kinds of health information.
Artificial Intelligence allows us to use personalization and smart analytics. It can help construct a program that prescribes exercises suited to users’ workout history, checks their correct form through the phone’s camera, or even sees if they are at risk for injury by videotaping their moves.
Some fitness apps are leveling up their AR and VR features to give users a better workout. With ARKit and ARCore, users can see virtual trainers or live metrics wherever they play, and Unity or Unreal Engine offer full virtual studio setups and fun gaming features. Motion capture allows users to see how they move in real time, making every session truly interactive.
The virtual fitness app market has grown tremendously in recent years, especially after the global pandemic reshaped how people approach health and wellness. With more individuals looking for flexible, at-home workout options, fitness apps have become a go-to solution for everything from high-intensity training to guided meditation.
Fueled by rising health awareness, the popularity of wearable devices, and the demand for personalized fitness experiences is increasing. From live-streamed classes and AI-driven recommendations to real-time workout tracking, online fitness platforms are now central to modern-day health routines.
Big players like Peloton, Apple Fitness+, and Nike Training Club have already made a mark, but the market still has room for innovation. Whether it’s through social community features, gamification, or niche workout content, there’s plenty of opportunity for new apps to gain traction, especially those that can deliver value, convenience, and motivation all in one place.
This rise in demand opens the door for startups and established brands alike to build a fitness streaming app that meets users where they are on their phones, smart TVs, and wearables, offering fitness on their terms.
2025 is the perfect time to build a virtual fitness app, and here’s why.
Health and wellness are more than just trends, they’re priorities. Millions of people are actively looking for ways to stay fit on their terms, whether that means squeezing in a quick yoga session before work or following a personalized HIIT plan at home.
Remote convenience is now expected by most users. People no longer want to commute to gyms or stick to rigid class schedules. They want access to workouts, coaches, and progress tracking from the comfort of their own homes or on the go, right from their smartphones or smartwatches.
Wearables and health data have gone mainstream. With devices like the Apple Watch, smart rings are becoming everyday accessories, There’s a huge opportunity to build apps that sync with these tools, offering smarter, data-driven fitness experiences.
From AI-based recommendations to real-time video streaming and virtual reality workouts, the tools to build rich, interactive fitness platforms are more accessible than ever.
In short, the demand is strong, the tech is ready, and users are more engaged than ever. If you’re thinking about launching a virtual fitness app, 2025 offers the perfect combination of timing, technology, and user behavior to make it a worthwhile investment.
The cost of developing a virtual fitness app like Peloton depends on many factors: features, complexity, design, platforms, and tech integrations. Let’s break down the cost of Peloton app development:
Here’s a quick breakdown of where the budget goes:
While prices vary depending on the region and whether you’re building in-house or outsourcing, partnering with a tech agency that understands both the virtual fitness app industry and scalable digital solutions can help you avoid unnecessary costs and delays.
If you’re ready to turn your virtual fitness app idea into a reality, DigiTrends is here to guide you through every step from strategy and design to development and launch.
To truly stand out in the competitive fitness app development landscape, it’s essential to go beyond standard workout videos and tracking tools. Here are seven innovative features that can take a Peloton-inspired app to the next level:
Instead of generic plans, AI can adapt routines based on each user’s performance, preferences, recovery patterns, and goals. As users log workouts, the fitness streaming app can intelligently adjust intensity levels, suggest rest periods, and recommend new classes, making the experience feel like having a personal trainer in your pocket.
Virtual reality can turn home workouts into adventures. Whether it’s cycling through mountain trails, boxing in a digital arena, or attending virtual yoga retreats, VR helps users escape the monotony of everyday exercise while still achieving their fitness goals.
People love challenges and rewards, so why not add some fun to fitness? Features like daily streaks, badge systems, point rewards, and friendly competitions can boost motivation and make users feel accomplished with every milestone they hit.
An encouraging community can make workouts more meaningful. From sharing progress with friends to joining team challenges and live group sessions, social integration builds accountability, motivation, and long-term loyalty.
Using camera input or wearable sensors, the online fitness platform can give real-time tips on posture, movement, or reps. Whether it’s alerting users about poor form during squats or showing heart rate spikes during cardio, instant feedback helps improve results while reducing the risk of injury.
By syncing with smart home systems (like smart speakers, lights, and thermostats), the virtual fitness app can help create a personalized workout atmosphere. Imagine dimming the lights, playing your workout playlist, and adjusting the room temperature all from inside the app.
Fitness isn’t just physical. Integrating tools for mental health, sleep tracking, breathwork, and guided meditations can help users manage stress, improve sleep, and feel emotionally balanced. This wellness approach aligns with the growing demand for full-body health solutions.
Creating a successful online fitness platform involves more than just great workouts and sleek design, it requires a smart development and marketing strategy that aligns with user expectations, business goals, and long-term growth. Here are key strategies to guide the development of your virtual fitness streaming app:
Start by identifying who your app is for. Is it for beginners, busy professionals, athletes, or people recovering from injuries? The more specific your target audience, the easier it becomes to design content, features, and user flows that truly resonate with them.
Prioritize an intuitive interface, smooth navigation, and personalized experiences. Gather user feedback regularly and iterate based on real pain points. A seamless user experience boosts retention and engagement.
Your tech stack should support real-time video, wearable integration, cloud scalability, and smooth performance across devices. Opt for scalable backend systems and flexible frontend frameworks like React Native or Flutter to ensure a reliable cross-platform experience.
Content is crucial in an online fitness platform. Collaborate with certified trainers and wellness professionals to create engaging workout sessions, educational materials, and recovery guidance. Include a mix of live classes, on-demand workouts, and audio-guided options.
Fitness apps collect sensitive personal and biometric data. Ensure your fitness streaming app complies with privacy laws like GDPR and HIPAA (if applicable), and be transparent with users about how their data is used. Strong privacy builds trust.
Add features like progress tracking, streaks, badges, and community challenges to keep users motivated. Gamification not only makes fitness fun but also increases user retention over time.
Fitness app development requires choosing a cloud infrastructure that can grow with the app. Whether you’re serving 500 or 500,000 users, your system should support real-time video, data analytics, and secure storage without compromising performance.
Think early about how you’ll attract and retain users. Will you offer a freemium model, paid subscription, or in-app purchases? Create a content calendar, launch campaigns on social media, and use influencer collaborations to build momentum.
Make your app available across smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and wearables to maximize user convenience. Ensure the user experience is consistent across platforms to keep users engaged, no matter the device.
While Peloton set the standard for connected fitness, it’s far from the only option. Several online fitness platforms offer compelling features, competitive pricing, or niche experiences that cater to different types of fitness enthusiasts. Here are some popular alternatives worth considering:
iFit powers equipment like NordicTrack, ProForm, and Freemotion and offers interactive workouts led by global trainers. With scenic routes, live classes, and automatic incline/speed adjustments, iFit provides a highly immersive cardio and strength training experience.
Echelon offers a more affordable take on the Peloton experience. With its connected bikes, treadmills, rowers, and mirrors, users get access to thousands of on-demand and live classes, plus community features that help keep motivation high.
Perfect for Apple Watch users, Fitness+ offers guided workouts across categories like HIIT, yoga, and dance. It’s deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, with metrics like heart rate and calories burned displayed in real-time on iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV.
Tonal is a smart home gym with adjustable digital weights and AI-powered resistance training. It’s ideal for strength-focused users who want guided programs without the bulk of traditional equipment.
Whether you’re into cycling, rowing, strength training, or holistic wellness, these alternatives provide unique approaches to at-home fitness. Each platform has its strengths, making it easier for users to find a solution that aligns with their goals, space, and budget.
And if you’re inspired to build your fitness streaming app according to a niche, Digitrends can help bring your vision to life with cutting-edge tech and intuitive design.
The virtual fitness app industry is no longer just a trend!
It is reshaping how people work out, connect, and care for their well-being. Building an online fitness platform like Peloton in 2025 means more than delivering high-quality workouts. It requires thoughtful UI/UX design, a strong tech stack, innovative features like AI and VR, and seamless integration with wearables and smart home devices.
Success in this space comes from understanding your users, offering personalization, and constantly evolving with their needs. Whether you’re a startup or an established brand, the opportunities are immense, but only if you combine strategy with innovation and execution.
If you’re ready to bring your fitness app development idea to life, partnering with an experienced development team like Digitrends can help turn your vision into a powerful, scalable, and engaging online fitness platform that truly stands out in the market.
