Cult.fit smart workout plan - case study
Cult.fit, launched in 2016, is a leading fitness brand in India that aims to make fitness accessible and enjoyable. With over 1 lakh active members, it caters to a wide audience aged 16–50, offering diverse workout formats like yoga, dance fitness, gym sessions, and strength training—all at an affordable price point suited to its target market.
This case study shares my experience working on their ‘Smart Workout Plan’ feature—diving into what’s working well, areas for improvement, and insights gathered through the design process.
What Does the Smart Workout Plan Do?
As the name suggests, the Smart Workout Plan is a personalized gym planner that functions like a virtual personal trainer. It customizes your workout routine based on your preferences—such as the number of workout days, fitness goals, exercise types, and difficulty level. Here’s how the feature works:
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Collects Basic Info: Gathers details like age, weight, height, and your fitness goal to personalize recommendations.
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Personalized Exercise Plan: Suggests workouts divided into warm-up, core exercises, and cool-down.
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Flexible Scheduling: Offers a calendar view where you can focus on specific muscle groups, body regions (upper/lower), or training formats like push/pull.
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Guided Sessions: Includes video tutorials, rep counts, and a built-in timer to guide and engage users throughout the workout.
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Workout Summary: At the end, users can log their session, rate the workout, and track progress over time.
This feature is designed to make fitness routines easier to follow, especially for those who want structure without the need for an in-person trainer.
A wonderful first impression
Before my first day at the gym, I had done some preparation—researching exercises, understanding how different machines work, and memorizing their names. However, once I arrived, I felt completely out of place. Everyone around me seemed confident, and I quickly realized that theory doesn’t always translate into comfort in a real gym environment.
I managed to get through Day 1 with the basics, then went home and opened the Cult app to book my next session. That’s when I came across the Smart Workout Plan feature. I answered a few questions and decided to try it for Day 2.
When I checked in at the gym the next day, the app recommended a leg workout. Day 3 focused on chest, Day 4 on shoulders, and so on. As a beginner, this structure gave me much-needed direction. The video tutorials, guided reps, and daily plans helped me build confidence and stay consistent. Here's what stood out to me in those first few weeks…
Reducing anxiety and creating awareness as a beginner
Starting out at the gym can be intimidating—especially when you’re unsure what to do and feel like everyone else has it all figured out. The Smart Workout Plan takes away that stress with simple, step-by-step routines that guide you through warm-ups, workouts, and cooldowns.
It even explains which muscles you’re working and why it matters, so you’re not just following blindly. With video tutorials alongside each move, it’s easy to check your form and feel more confident as you go.
Tracking and customising exercises for daily check-ins
One thing I’ve learned about working out—it’s not about going all out every day, it’s about showing up consistently. The Smart Workout Plan really supports that mindset. The built-in workout logs help me track what I’ve done on previous days, and the app's reminders are surprisingly well-timed and encouraging. They genuinely nudge me to stay on track.
What I also appreciate is the flexibility. Some days I have more energy, other days not so much—and the ability to swap exercises for easier or tougher options really helps me listen to my body without breaking the routine.
At the end of each workout, I can log the sets and weights I used. While this data isn’t used elsewhere in the app (yet), it gives me a clear sense of progress and keeps me accountable to myself.
A wonderful first impression
Before my first day at the gym, I had done some preparation—researching exercises, understanding how different machines work, and memorizing their names. However, once I arrived, I felt completely out of place. Everyone around me seemed confident, and I quickly realized that theory doesn’t always translate into comfort in a real gym environment.
I managed to get through Day 1 with the basics, then went home and opened the Cult app to book my next session. That’s when I came across the Smart Workout Plan feature. I answered a few questions and decided to try it for Day 2.
When I checked in at the gym the next day, the app recommended a leg workout. Day 3 focused on chest, Day 4 on shoulders, and so on. As a beginner, this structure gave me much-needed direction. The video tutorials, guided reps, and daily plans helped me build confidence and stay consistent. Here's what stood out to me in those first few weeks…
Physical
challenges
Big gym layout = phone always in hand.
AI doesn’t verify if the exercise was actually done.
No guidance on starting weights based on your body.
Exercise pace isn’t personalized, limiting posture depth.
Device
challenges
No internet = delays in seeing the next exercise
Frequent posture checks in the app slow you down.
Drains battery quickly— phone needs to stay well charged.
Distractions
You want to copy others’ exercises but don’t know their purpose.
Missing machines lead to random swaps.
End of session = skip logging to leave quickly.
Psychological
challenges
Slow progress can make workouts feel ineffective.
Getting to the gym daily needs willpower and external push.
Using the app feels awkward—it shows you're a newbie..
Things that worked well
Exercise upgrades
The AI suggests gradual exercise upgrades every 4 weeks with clear labels, making it easy to follow.
Workout Summaries
Even without detailed logs, marking workouts as complete helps track focus areas and motivates future sessions.
Session Personalization
You can adjust workout days or update goals anytime, and the plan adapts smoothly without major changes.
Opportunity areas for improvement
Offline workout access
Offline access to daily workouts helps in low connectivity or battery.

Challenge: Managing local video downloads efficiently
AI posture feedback
Use phone camera for form correction—ideal for hesitant users.

Challenge: High development cost; ideal for a premium feature tier.
In-session micro feedback
In-workout prompts enhance engagement and personalization.

Challenge: Needs seamless UX to avoid distraction.
In conclusion
As health and fitness awareness grows across generations, it's encouraging to see technology meaningfully integrated into everyday wellness routines. AI-driven features like Cult.fit’s Smart Workout Plan are reshaping how we approach fitness—making structured guidance more accessible, especially for beginners.
Personally, this feature has made my workouts more consistent, informed, and enjoyable. I now recognize exercises by name, understand which muscles they target, and appreciate the intention behind each movement—something I never paid attention to before.
While I still relied on floor trainers occasionally, the need for constant help reduced significantly. The app gave me the confidence to navigate my fitness journey more independently. For a platform aiming to make fitness more approachable and educational, this feature delivers on that goal with real impact.