USABILITY CENTERED
DESIGN PROCESS
ASSIGNMENT-1
User Field Study
Report Content
Places Selected
OUR TEAM
Methods Used-INTERVIEW & fly on
the wall
Ayush Nimbalkar
Process of Methods
Bhavesh Bhadane
Insights Chinmay Katkar
Rupam kale
Personas
Place Selected
GYM
Places: Multiple Gyms
Location: Pune
Reason for Selection:
Regular daily users
High physical and emotional engagement
Interaction with equipment, trainers, and space
Methods Used
The following user study methods were selected:
User Interviews
Fly-on-the-Wall Observation (AEIOU)
These methods were chosen to understand user motivation, comfort, and
challenges through interviews, and to observe natural workout behavior,
movement patterns, and space usage through fly-on-the-wall observation.
Process of Methods
User Interviews
Gym members were interviewed after their workout sessions. Each interview
lasted between 5 to 10 minutes. The interviews focused on understanding
workout routines, comfort levels, challenges faced during workouts, and overall
satisfaction with the gym environment.
Fly-on-the-Wall Observation
Users were observed for 45 minutes without interaction. The observation
focused on how users moved between equipment, waited for machines,
interacted with trainers, and responded to crowding. Observations were
documented using the AEIOU framework along with photographs of workout
zones.
Interview Questions
1. Can you describe how you usually start your workout session?
2. How confident do you feel while using gym equipment?
3. Have you ever felt unsure about your exercise form or sets?
4. Do trainers correct your posture during workouts? How often?
5. How long do you usually work out in one session and why?
6. Do you feel the gym gets crowded during certain times?
7. What do you usually do while resting between sets?
8. Do you face any hygiene-related issues in the gym?
9. How do you decide which exercises to do each day?
10. What kind of guidance would help you work out better?
AEIOU Fly-on-the-Wall Observation – Gym
A – Activities E – Environment I – Interactions O – Objects Observed Problems
Wrong warm-up
Warm-up exercises Music-filled area Stretching near others Mats
methods
Using equipment Crowded weight zone Watching others Machines Incorrect form & sets
Excessive workout
Cardio workouts Cardio section Sharing machines Treadmills
time
Asking for help Trainer area Limited interaction Charts Guidance only for PT
Long rest & hygiene
Resting Limited rest space Using phones Benches
issues
Insights
Unexpected Insights
Expected Insights
Beginners train excessively due to unrealistic
Peak hours experience heavy crowding.
expectations
Users prefer familiar equipment.
Trainers intentionally limit guidance to
Waiting time increases during busy
promote personal training
hours.
Users hesitate to ask doubts due to gym
Trainer assistance is important for
culture pressure
beginners.
Familiar machines give psychological
comfort
Diet confusion causes early dropouts
Insight Connection
Lack of guidance → Wrong workouts → No results → Overtraining → Demotivation → Dropout
Key Problems Identified
3. Overcrowding During Peak Hours
1. Beginners Lack Workout Awareness
Beginners do not know:
Morning (6–9 AM) & Evening (6–9 PM)
-Which exercises suit their body
Users wait for machines
-Proper workout sequence
Workout flow gets disturbed
Many copy workouts from others blindly
[Link] by Beginners
2. Poor Form Correction by Trainers
Beginners workout 2–3 hours daily
Trainers often:
Expect quick results
-Do not correct form unless user takes personal training
Get demotivated due to slow visible progress
- Focus more on selling PT than guidance
Leads to:
[Link] Confusion
-Incorrect posture
Users follow:
-Risk of injury
-Instagram diets
-Random YouTube advice
No basic nutrition guidance available
“I want to work out correctly so I don’t injure myself.”
User Persona
(GYM USER) “I want to see results, but I don’t know which exercises are
right for me.”
About Rohit : Goals:
Short-term goals:
Rohit recently joined the gym to lose weight and Learn correct exercises
improve his confidence. He is highly motivated but Avoid injuries
lacks proper knowledge about workouts, form, and Use machines confidently
diet. Rohit often copies exercises from others and Follow a basic routine
spends long hours at the gym hoping for faster
results. Long-term goals:
Get fit and healthy
See body changes
Behavioral Considerations :
Build workout discipline
Stay consistent
Follows workouts he sees others doing
Name: Rohit Patil Uses only familiar machines
Works out for 2–3 hours expecting quick
Age :22 results Tasks :
Hesitates to ask trainers questions
Relies on social media for diet advice Decide which exercises to perform during each
Job:Beginner Gym Member workout session.
Use gym equipment while following a structured
Frustrations :
Fitness Experience: 1 month routine.
Track workout progress and physical changes
Does not see results quickly
regularly.
Trainers do not correct his posture
Location: Pune Follow basic diet and recovery guidance.
Feels ignored unless he buys personal training
Confused about which exercises suit him
Feels overwhelmed during peak hours
“I want to help beginners exercise correctly, but I don’t have
User Persona
enough time during peak hours.”
(GYM TRAINER)
About Sandeep : Goals:
Short-term goals:
Sandeep is an experienced gym trainer responsible for
Manage the gym floor efficiently during peak
managing multiple members daily. He is under pressure to
hours.
sell personal training packages while handling peak-hour
Provide basic guidance to beginners within
crowds. Although he wants to guide beginners, limited time
limited time.
and management expectations restrict his ability to support
Reduce confusion among new gym members.
everyone equally.
Long-term goals:
Behavioral Considerations : Improve overall member satisfaction and
retention.
Focuses more on personal training clients Increase enrollment in personal training
Gives limited guidance to non-PT members programs.
Manages multiple users simultaneously Build a strong professional reputation.
Name: Sandeep Kulkarni
Faces peak-hour overload
Repeats the same beginner explanations daily
Age : 32 Tasks :
Supervise members to ensure safe exercise
Job:Beginner :Gym Trainer Frustrations : practices.
Train personal clients based on individual fitness
Fitness Experience: 8 years Too many beginners needing guidance goals.
Peak-hour overcrowding Answer workout-related questions from gym
Pressure to convert members to PT members.
Location: Pune Repetitive basic questions Monitor gym activity and equipment usage.
Limited tools to manage users efficiently
Proposed Solution: Smart Gym Guidance Website
A simple, responsive website designed to guide gym members, reduce confusion, and
support trainers during peak hours — without replacing trainers.
How the Website Works:
When users enter the gym, they open the gym website on their phone.
The website asks users to select their experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced.
Based on the selected level, the website shows a customized workout plan with suitable exercises.
Each exercise includes the correct number of sets, reps, and rest time.
Short videos help users understand proper form and posture.
Users can choose alternative exercises if machines are busy.
Basic diet and recovery tips are shown to set realistic expectations.
The website also shows the gym crowd level to help users plan their workout better.
Thanks