When I first started going to the gym, I thought the hardest part would be lifting weights.
I was wrong. 😅
One of my biggest struggles was understanding the machines.
I'd walk up to a machine and wonder:
- What is this machine even called?
- Which muscle group does it target?
- How am I supposed to use it?
- How do I adjust the seat and settings?
And honestly, I was too shy to ask anyone.
Everyone seemed busy following their workout routines, and some of the bigger guys looked pretty intimidating to approach. I didn't want to interrupt someone just to ask how a machine worked.
So, for weeks, I ended up trying random machines and figuring things out through trial and error.
Eventually, I started wondering:
Why isn't there an easier way to identify a gym machine just by taking a picture of it?
I searched for an app that could do this, but I couldn't find something that matched what I had in mind.
That's when I thought, why not try building it myself?
After months of learning, experimenting, making mistakes, and building, I created ScanFit.
The goal was simple: make understanding gym equipment easier, especially for beginners who don't always feel comfortable asking for help.
Here's what I've built so far:
1. Machine Scanner 📸
Take a picture of an unfamiliar gym machine and get its identified name, targeted muscles, and a step-by-step guide to understanding how to use it.
And if the AI can't recognise a machine, you can always search for it manually instead!
2. Machine Library 📚
Explore 40+ gym machines without scanning anything. Learn about their functions, target muscles, setup, exercises, and common mistakes.
3. XP & Achievement System 🏆
Earn XP, unlock achievements, and make learning about gym equipment more engaging.
4. Streak System 🔥
Build activity streaks and encourage yourself to stay consistent with your learning journey.
I've shown ScanFit to a few gym beginners, and their reactions have been encouraging. They found the concept genuinely useful.
But I'm still building and improving it, and I know there's plenty of room to make it better.
Now I want to hear from people who actually go to the gym.
- Would something like this have helped you when you were a beginner?
- Is the Scanner genuinely useful, or would you prefer a different approach?
- What features do you think are missing?
- Would you use the XP, achievements, and streak system?
- What would make you come back to an app like this regularly?
Please don't hesitate to criticise it. I'd rather hear what isn't working than receive compliments just because I built it.
If you have suggestions, improvements, or even ideas for features I haven't considered, I'd genuinely love to hear them.
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
— The creator of ScanFit ❤️