GMB Praxis: adaptive fitness app for physical autonomy
GMB is a tech-enabled fitness company that helps its clients achieve the foundations of physical autonomy: strength, flexibility, and control. We built and optimized GMB Praxis, a web app with custom adaptive sessions, flexible scheduling and durations, and seamless video streaming.
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Objectives
- 🙋🏻♀️ Create a delightful experience for users
- 🙋🏻♀️ Increase client engagement in GMB's fitness programs
- 🙋🏻♀️ Seamlessly integrate all of GMB's programs to allow for full user customization
- 🙋🏻♀️ Allow for dynamic scheduling and session adaptability
- 🙋🏻♀️ Support high traffic with a scalable architecture
Results
- ✅ App supports over 10k active monthly users
- ✅ Designed for growth and scalability
- ✅ Increased user engagement
- ✅ Improved video streaming experience by 35%
- ✅ 47% improvement in page experience score
- ✅ 4.9 star rating from users
Highlights
Daily User Customization
Users can adjust the intensity level, workout schedule, and session duration each day, depending on how they are feeling that day. This flexible design is unlike any other fitness apps on the market.
Adaptive Video Quality
Using Mux for video streaming, the app automatically adjusts video quality based on the user's bandwidth, delivering uninterrupted sessions across all devices.
Simplified App
We took the initial app from buggy and complex to simple and seamless by simplifying the tech and prioritizing ease of use — for both the end user and admins.
Challenges and Solutions
The two biggest challenges we faced with this project were scalability and simplicity.
Scalability
To handle high user traffic, I implemented a scalable backend using Nest.js and PostgreSQL, ensuring smooth data management and performance.
User Interface Simplicity
Balancing the complexity of adaptive controls with a simple interface was a priority. The solution involved minimalistic, intuitive designs that enhance user engagement without overwhelming them.
2025: Continued Evolution
In 2025, I shipped 52+ releases to the GMB platform — a testament to continuous delivery and close collaboration with the team. Major improvements included:
Achievement System
Built a gamified achievements system to celebrate user milestones — workout streaks, program completions, and personal bests. This drove measurable increases in user retention and daily engagement.
Video Management Overhaul
Rebuilt the video asset pipeline with improved subtitle extraction, better Mux API integration, and analysis tools. This gave the content team faster turnaround on new programs and exercises.
Ready to build an adaptive, scalable app?
GMB Praxis is a good representation of my commitment to building scalable, flexible solutions tailored to the needs of both the client and the end-user. Ready to build yours? Let's chat.