BurnFriends: From Idea to App Store
From concept to an app with 200 concurrent users in just 6 weeks, BurnFriends is more than a fitness app; it’s a shared adventure. In this case study we reveal our journey, lessons, and the essence of BurnFriends. Discover how we work and kickstart your fitness journey with BurnFriends.
Challenge — Get The F*&k Off Localhost
An Idea is Hatched
One day, during my usual daily call with my best friend, David, I found myself reminiscing about the workout routine my dad and I had during the four months I spent back home due to the pandemic. It all started with simple daily walks. Soon enough, we added spin bikes into the mix. Before we knew it, we had a full-fledged routine — every morning, a spirited spin class followed by a brisk 6-mile walk, and evenings dedicated to riding while binge-watching the entire Marvel series in chronological order. It was incredible! Our motivation and commitment were unwavering.
But as the world slowly returned to “normal,” I moved back to San Francisco, and keeping up that same momentum became a challenge. We tried using our Apple Watches — sharing workouts, sending those auto-generated motivational messages, doing everything to keep the energy alive.
That’s when David shared his workout challenge with friends. Their goal was simple: “do a thing,” whether it was running a mile, cycling for three, or tackling some push-ups. There was something for everyone, and they tracked it all in a spreadsheet. They had a group chat where they held each other accountable, keeping the motivation high. It was fantastic, but managing everyone in the Google Sheet consistently turned into a logistical nightmare. Plus, David spent a lot of time creating different data summaries to keep things interesting.
This got us thinking: Why not create something ourselves that has everything we wanted? An app that wasn’t just another tracking tool but something fun and motivating. We had a history of building things together, so why not go for it? That’s how BurnFriends came into existence.
What went right
The name “BurnFriends”? It’s straightforward. Burn calories, with friends. Wordplay aside, there’s depth to it too — the idea that after a setback, we rebound, much like a phoenix.
Our north stars:
- Fun: No fun, no point.
- Easy/Simple: Streamlined. Efficient.
- Social: It’s literally in the name.
Prototyping? Our first go was all Google Sheets. Quick and familiar. But the second round? We stepped it up. Merged a basic step-tracking iOS app we found with some no-code magic from Make.com, linking Google Sheet and Firebase. We were on the move. 🐣🔥
Where did we get stuck
Everything is all fine and dandy until you actually get started. Then it’s just one obstacle after the next.
If it wasn’t obstacles then it was us buried deep in endless tinkering, forever refining, and waiting for that “perfect” plan to emerge.
But here’s the thing: in our quest for perfection, we almost missed the boat. We needed to launch. Not tomorrow, not next week, but now. Even if it wasn’t perfect.
Remember the story of the ceramics teacher? She split the class into two teams. One bunch aimed for sheer quantity, cranking out pots left and right, even if they weren’t flawless. The other set was all about crafting the perfect pot. Funny thing is, the “quantity” folks ended up with the best ones. Lesson learned? Sometimes, doing something, even if it’s not spot-on, beats endless planning. Reminds me of when my dad says to me, “Come on, Molly, let’s do something, even if it’s wrong!”
Solution — Publicly Commit
Throwing Our Hat Over the Fence
So, having a goal? Great. Telling everyone about it? Nerve-wracking. Especially when you’re looping in friends, family, and everyone from buildspace’s Nights and Weekends Season 3. But hey, we figured putting BurnFriends out there in the open would mean we’d have to follow through. No backing out now, right?
Ever been told you can only pick two: cost, scope, or time? That’s where we stood. Limited resources and only 6 weeks to deliver.
So, what was our game plan?
- Minimal Scope
- User feedback > Gut feelings
- 1-week sprints, no room to dawdle. Plan. Make. Launch. Measure.
Our Six-Week Breakdown:
- Week 1: Ideas get forged, not found.
- Week 2: Build a simple prototype.
- Week 3: Get others to care.
- Week 4: Collaborate and iterate, always with fresh feedback.
- Week 5: Spread the word and grow our baby.
- Week 6: Demo time.
Putting It All Out There
Every week, we dropped a video sharing our progress. No sugarcoating, no “movie magic” — just the raw, sometimes messy process. It wasn’t just for you all. It pushed us too. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to craft something flawless. But with our weekly reveals? Perfection took a backseat to hitting our deadlines.
Looking back at our journey, with all the documentation and milestones, it’s wild how much ground we covered. Each video, each note, every shared obstacle, and victory, made us realize just how far Burn Friends had come.
Results — On App Store
200 Concurrent Users in 6 Weeks
We got BurnFriends accepted onto the App Store by week 3 and guess what? We’ve got 200 peopled using the app at the same time by the end of week 6! What’s even more exciting is that many of these users were complete strangers! 😳 New users inspired others, creating a butterfly effect. We did it! BurnFriends was bringing together friends and even strangers on a shared adventure. 🤯
Our Toolkit: Simple, Smart, Innovative
Building BurnFriends was all about leveraging what we knew while embracing the unfamiliar. Each tool we used played a role in helping us bring our idea to life. Our top priority was to ship, no excuses. We used templates, bought icons, and even tapped into the power of AI. If it helped us move faster, we were all over it.
Tools we used:
- Planning: Notion | Miro | Pen, Paper, & Whiteboard
- Prototyping: Google | Make | Midjourney | Firebase
- Website: Framer| termly.io
- App Development: Xcode | Swift | ChatGPT | StreamlineHQ | Firebase
- Video Editing: Storyblocks | Capcut | Adobe
Live your values:
- Keep it simple. Outcome Focused | Function First | Make Trade-Offs
- Make it fun. Prioritize Fun | Order Fun Merch | Mix It Up
- Build together. User Feedback | Rapid Prototypes | Reflect & Celebrate
Gearing Up for the Next Adventure
Now we have a much clearer understanding of our strengths and foot guns to work around.
Here are some of our top takeaways:
- “Perfect is the enemy of done.” Aim for progress, not perfection.
- “Fail fast, learn fast.” Mistakes are stepping stones to success.
- “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Diversify sources of feedback.
- “You can’t please everyone.” Focus on the target audience & core values.
- “Practice what you preach.” Build something you’d use and love.
- “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Always prioritize fun.
- “Don’t reinvent the wheel.” Leverage existing solutions and tools.
- “Communication is key.” Clear communication and expectations.
- “Evolve or die.” Embrace change to stay relevant.
- “Knowledge is power.” Keep learning to stay competitive. 🚀
Ready to Ignite Your Fitness Journey?
- Download BurnFriends on the iOS App Store now!
Already Part of the Community?
Want to Build Something?
- Partner with us at DiversifiedFun.com and let’s create together! 🚀
