01
Workout and training plans
Programmes, sets, reps, timers and rest, with progress that adapts to how each member actually trains.
FIG 01 · Fitness App Development
Fitness apps that sync with every wrist and pass every review
Workout, coaching, nutrition and class-booking apps for gyms, coaches and fitness brands, with wearables, subscriptions and health data designed for App Review, Play policy and US privacy law.
See how it works
FIG 02 · Quick answer
What does a fitness app development company do?
Elgrith is a fitness app development company that builds workout, coaching, nutrition and class-booking apps for iOS, Android and wearables. We integrate Apple HealthKit, Android Health Connect and Wear OS Health Services, move apps off Google Fit before its end-of-2026 cutoff, and design subscriptions and health data to meet App Store rules and US privacy law.
- Health platforms: HealthKit, Health Connect and Wear OS
- 3
- Projects delivered since 2015
- 1,000+
- Clients across the USA, UK and India
- 250+
- Your code, repository and IP
- 100%
FIG 03 · Why it matters
Three rules decide a fitness app’s roadmap in 2026.
From Android Developers, Apple’s App Review Guidelines and the US Federal Trade Commission, read on 23 Oct 2026.
01
End of 2026
Google Fit APIs are on the way out
Google: “The Google Fit APIs will be supported until the end of 2026.” New developers have not been able to sign up since 1 May 2024. Health Connect and the Google Health API replace them.
Source: Android Developers, migrate from Google Fit (updated 10 Sep 2026)(opens in a new tab)02
3.1.3(d)
1:1 training can bill outside the App Store
Apple lets real-time person-to-person services such as “fitness training” use other payment methods, but “One-to-few and one-to-many real-time services must use in-app purchase.”
Source: Apple, App Review Guidelines (read 23 Oct 2026)(opens in a new tab)03
Not just HIPAA
Health apps outside HIPAA still have rules
The FTC’s 2024 changes to its Health Breach Notification Rule “underscore the final rule’s application to health apps and similar technologies not covered by HIPAA”.
Source: FTC, Health Breach Notification Rule changes (26 Apr 2024)(opens in a new tab)
FIG 04 · Platforms
Wearables and health data in 2026–27
Each platform holds a different slice of your users’ health data. This is the map we build to, checked on 23 Oct 2026 at Apple’s and Google’s developer documentation.
| Platform | Use it for | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Apple HealthKit | Health and workout data on iPhone and Apple Watch, with the user’s permission | Current |
| Android Health Connect | On-device health and fitness data on Android phones | Current; Google’s path for mobile-first apps leaving Google Fit |
| Google Health API | Cloud and server-to-server access to Fitbit and Google device data | Current; Google maps the Fitbit Web API to it |
| Wear OS Health Services | Exercise, passive monitoring and on-demand measurements on the watch (Wear OS 3 and higher) | Current (ExerciseClient, PassiveMonitoringClient, MeasureClient) |
| Google Fit APIs | Legacy Android and REST fitness data | Supported until the end of 2026; no new sign-ups since 1 May 2024 |
Migrating off Google Fit: we move reads and writes to Health Connect on the phone, Health Services on the watch and the Google Health API for server-side data, then test both paths before the cutoff. Sources: developer.android.com (Google Fit migration page updated 10 Sep 2026; Health Services page updated 19 Oct 2026).
Building a connected device? IoT app developmentFIG 05 · What you get
Fitness app development: what we build
Workout app development and everything around it, for iOS, Android, Apple Watch and Wear OS, with one back end for content, members and payments.
02
Coaching and video
On-demand classes, live sessions, form-check uploads and coach messaging.
03
Nutrition and habits
Meal logging, water, sleep and habit streaks, with reminders people don’t mute.
04
Gym and class booking
Class schedules, waitlists, check-in and memberships for gyms and studios.
05
Wearable apps
Apple Watch and Wear OS apps for live workouts, heart rate and on-wrist controls.
06
Connected-device companions
Companion apps for bikes, rowers, scales and straps over Bluetooth LE.
07
AI coach features
Plan suggestions, workout summaries and coach assistants, with clear limits on health advice.
08
Progress, streaks and challenges
Rings, streaks, badges and community challenges that make the daily habit stick.
Deliverables
11
deliverables, in writing
Included in every build, written into your fixed quote before work starts.
FIG 06 · Billing
Subscriptions, classes and personal training
Apple’s App Review Guidelines decide how each fitness product is billed on iOS. On the United States storefront, apps may now include buttons and external links to other ways to pay; elsewhere the older limits apply. These rules have changed through court rulings, so we re-check them before every launch (as of 23 Oct 2026).
Digital subscriptions
- Examples
- On-demand workouts, plans and premium features inside the app
- Rule
- Apple in-app purchase on iOS (3.1.1), Google Play Billing or an alternative Google’s policy allows in your market
1:1 live personal training
- Examples
- A coach and one client on a live video session
- Rule
- 3.1.3(d): may use payment methods other than in-app purchase
Live group classes
- Examples
- A live class streamed to many members
- Rule
- 3.1.3(d): one-to-few and one-to-many real-time services must use in-app purchase
Gym memberships and in-person classes
- Examples
- A studio class pack or a gym membership used on site
- Rule
- 3.1.3(e): services consumed outside the app must not use in-app purchase; use Apple Pay or card
FIG 07 · Privacy
Health privacy beyond HIPAA
Most consumer fitness apps are not covered by HIPAA, but that does not mean no rules. We design consent, storage and breach handling for the laws and store policies that do apply. This is general guidance, not legal advice; your counsel confirms what applies to you.
06principles
FTC Health Breach Notification Rule
16 CFR Part 318. The FTC’s 2024 amendments underline that it covers health apps not covered by HIPAA, so we plan breach detection and notification from day one.
Washington My Health My Data Act
RCW 19.373 treats data such as “Bodily functions, vital signs, symptoms, or measurements” as consumer health data, with its own consent rules.
Apple 5.1.3
Apple says apps “may not store personal health information in iCloud”. We keep health data in your own back end, under your control.
Google Play Health apps declaration
Every app on Google Play must complete the Health apps declaration in Play Console, required since 31 Aug 2024. We fill it in accurately for your features.
UK GDPR special category data
For UK and EU users, health data is special category data: explicit consent, minimisation and clear retention, organised from the start.
When HIPAA does apply
Working for a health plan, clinic or provider, or as their business associate? That is our healthcare app development service.
Healthcare app development
FIG 08 · Step by step
How to make a fitness app
The order matters: the data stack and the store rules shape the design, so they come before the screens.
06principles
1. Validate the idea
Who trains with it, what they do today and why they would switch. A prototype tested with real members beats a feature list.
2. Choose the data stack
HealthKit, Health Connect, Health Services and any devices, plus what you store in your own back end and why.
3. Pick monetization the stores allow
Subscriptions, 1:1 training, live classes or gym memberships each follow different App Store and Play billing rules.
4. Build the MVP
The core workout or booking loop, sign-in, payments and analytics, built in sprints with weekly demos.
5. Run the Play closed test
Google Play requires new personal developer accounts (created after 13 Nov 2023) to run a closed test with at least 12 testers opted in for 14 days before production.
6. Launch and learn
App Store and Google Play release, then retention, crash and subscription data to decide what to build next.
Fitness app cost guide
FIG 09 · Cost
What drives fitness app development cost
We don’t publish prices; every fitness app is scoped and quoted in writing. These are the choices that move the number most.
06principles
Platforms
iPhone only, iOS and Android, and whether you need Apple Watch or Wear OS apps too.
Wearables and devices
Each health platform and Bluetooth device adds integration and testing work.
Video and live classes
On-demand libraries, live streaming and coach uploads carry build and running costs.
Billing model
Store subscriptions, external payments for 1:1 training or gym memberships, or a mix.
AI features
Plan suggestions or a coach assistant add model costs and safety testing.
Read the cost guide
What drives the budget for a fitness app in 2026, item by item.
Fitness app development cost
FIG 10 · Portfolio
From our portfolio: a fitness training app
A design concept from our portfolio, not a client case study: workouts, streaks and progress rings in a bold iOS and Android app designed to make the daily habit stick, planned for Flutter or React Native. Real case studies are shared on request, without client names.
04principles
Workout cards
Each session as a clear card: exercises, time and effort at a glance.
Streaks
Daily streaks that reward showing up, not just intensity.
Progress rings
Weekly goals as rings people want to close.
FIG 11 · Process · 6 steps
Validate, build the core loop, then grow
A free call, a fixed written quote, then sprints with weekly demos and a launch on both stores. You own the code and IP.
- Step 01
Free call
Tell us who trains with your app, how you make money and which devices matter. We ask about members, coaches and data, not just screens.
- Step 02
Discovery
The core loop, the health-data stack, the billing model the stores allow and the privacy rules that apply to you.
- Step 03
Fixed written quote
A written scope and a fixed quote, with what each release delivers, before any work starts.
- Step 04
Sprints with weekly demos
Design and build in sprints, with a demo every week on real devices and wearables.
- Step 05
Testing and launch
TestFlight and the Play closed test, store listings, the Health apps declaration and App Review.
- Step 06
Support and growth
OS updates, store policy changes and new features, covered under terms agreed in your written scope.
FIG 12 · What you get
Everything included
Written into your fixed quote, so you know exactly what you are paying for before work starts.
11items
- Written scope and fixed quote
- Health-data and privacy plan
- UX and UI design for phone and watch
- iOS and Android apps
- Apple Watch or Wear OS app if in scope
- HealthKit, Health Connect and Health Services integration
- Subscriptions and payments set up to store rules
- Admin panel for content, members and coaches
- App Store and Google Play submission
- Analytics and crash reporting
- IP assignment: code and data are yours
FIG 13 · Tech & tools
The tools behind the work
Proven, well-supported tools, chosen for your project and set up in accounts your business owns.
- Swift
- SwiftUI
- HealthKit
- StoreKit 2
- watchOS
- Kotlin
- Jetpack Compose
- Health Connect
- Health Services
- Wear OS
- Google Play Billing
- Flutter
- React Native
- Bluetooth LE
- Node.js
- PostgreSQL
- Firebase Cloud Messaging
FIG 14 · Who it’s for
Fitness apps for gyms, coaches and brands.
Your app, your members and your data, built around how you actually sell fitness.
3 audiences
Gyms and studios
Bookings, memberships and check-in in one app.
Class schedules, waitlists, memberships and on-site check-in, with in-person services billed outside the App Store as Apple’s 3.1.3(e) requires.
- Class booking and waitlists
- Memberships and packs
- Check-in
- Your brand, your member data
Coaches
Programmes and coaching that scale past one inbox.
Training plans, form checks, messaging and live sessions, with 1:1 coaching and group classes billed the way each is allowed to be.
- Plans and progress
- Coach messaging
- 1:1 and group sessions
- Video library
India
Fitness apps for Indian launches.
Apps built at our New Delhi HQ for India, Android-first where it fits, with UPI and card payments for gyms and in-person services and regional languages where you need them.
- Android-first
- UPI for in-person services
- Regional languages
- Built at our New Delhi HQ
FIG 15 · Working with us from the USA and UK
Built in New Delhi. Run on your hours.
Every project gets a point of contact in New York or London and an engineering team in New Delhi. Here is how today’s working days line up, live.
New York
North America
--:--ET
New Delhi team Your working day- Shared working time
- ≈ 3 hours today
- New Delhi is
- 10.5 h ahead
- Live calls, your time
- 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET
London
UK & Europe
--:--UK
New Delhi team Your working day- Shared working time
- ≈ 4.5 hours today
- New Delhi is
- 5.5 h ahead
- Live calls, your time
- 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. UK
Three ways to work together
- 01
Fixed-scope project
A written scope, one fixed price and a dated plan. Suits websites, apps and MVPs.
- 02
Dedicated team
Designers and engineers on your roadmap every month, billed monthly.
- 03
White label
For US and UK agencies: our work, your brand, unbranded deliverables.
Every engagement
- Fixed quote in USD, GBP or INR after a free 30-minute call
- NDA before discovery. You own all code, designs and content
- A working demo every sprint, not status slides
- Reply within one business day, calls inside your hours
Book a call
Calls on ET or UK hours
FIG 16 · Compare
Flutter vs React Native vs native for a fitness app
| Flutter | React Native | Native (Swift and Kotlin) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codebases | One for iOS and Android | One for iOS and Android | One per platform |
| HealthKit and Health Connect | Through plugins | Through libraries | Direct platform APIs |
| Watch apps | Usually written natively alongside | Usually written natively alongside | SwiftUI and Wear OS in the same codebase family |
| Best for | Phone apps from one team, fast | Teams that already write React | Deep wearable and sensor work |
| Our page | Flutter app development | React Native app development | iOS app development |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Fitness App Development with Elgrith.
We don’t publish prices, because cost depends on platforms, wearables, video and live classes, the billing model and any AI features. After a free call you get a written scope and a fixed quote. Our fitness app development cost guide explains each driver.
FIG 17 · Related
Keep exploring
App Development
iOS, Android & cross-platformFlutter App Development
One codebase for iOS & AndroidReact Native App Development
Cross-platform apps in React NativeiOS App Development
Native Swift apps for iPhone & iPadMobile App Design
iOS & Android app UI/UXHealthcare App Development
Patient & clinician appsIoT App Development
Connected devices & wearablesAI Development
LLM apps, AI agents & MCP
Free 30-minute call
Build a fitness app members open every day.
Tell us who it’s for, how you sell and which devices matter. After a free call you get a written scope and a fixed quote.
Pick a day for your call
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