Gentler Streak: Redefining Fitness Tracking with Empathy and Progress, Not Pressure
The fitness app landscape is ofen dominated by intense challenges, competitive leaderboards, and a relentless focus on pushing limits. But what if a fitness app prioritized your well-being, celebrated your progress, and met you where you are? That’s the core beliefs behind gentler Streak, the 2024 Apple Design Award-winning app that’s quietly revolutionizing how people approach their health.
This isn’t just another workout tracker. Gentler Streak represents a deliberate shift away from the often-intimidating world of fitness,offering a more approachable and encouraging experience. Let’s dive into the story behind its creation, its design principles, and why it’s resonating with so many users.
From Lake to Gentler Stories: A Focus on Mental Wellbeing
Gentler Streak’s origins lie within the team at lake, a company focused on habit tracking.However, a shared passion for mental wellbeing led Luka Lotrič, Jernej Orešnik, and Blaž Krmelj to branch out with Miha Mihelič and create Gentler Stories – the parent company behind Gentler Streak.
krmelj explains the motivation: “I wanted in as I loved the idea behind the whole company. But I really believed in this idea about mental well-being.” This belief became the driving force behind a gentler, more human-centered approach to fitness.
Validating the “Gentler” Approach: Early user Feedback
The team quickly discovered they were onto something. Initial testing through Apple’s TestFlight program yielded surprisingly high retention rates. “Our open and return rates were high enough that we kept thinking, “Are thes numbers even real?'” laughs Lotrič.
This keen response confirmed their hypothesis: people were craving a fitness experience that wasn’t about comparison or perfection, but about personal progress and self-compassion. They realized statistics, while valuable, are meaningless without context and understanding.
Designing for Everyone: Beyond the Gym Crowd
Gentler Streak intentionally targets a different audience than customary fitness apps. Instead of focusing on gym-goers and athletes, they aimed to reach “everyone else” – those who might feel intimidated or excluded by conventional fitness culture.
Lotrič emphasizes this point: “We weren’t primarily addressing the audience that most fitness apps seemed to target. We focused on everyone else, the people who maybe didn’t feel like they belonged in a gym.” This inclusive design philosophy is central to the app’s success.
Key Features & Design Choices: Simplicity and Progress
Gentler Streak’s design reflects its core values. Built primarily using UIKit, the app prioritizes:
* smart Data Organization: Health data from HealthKit is presented in a clear, concise manner.
* Amiable & Consistent Design: The user interface is visually appealing and easy to navigate.
* Monthly Summary View: This feature visually charts your workout history, emphasizing progress over comparison. (See the image above for an example!)
* Focus on Personal Best: The app celebrates your achievements, no matter how small. A 15-minute walk is just as valuable as a marathon, if it’s what your body needs.
This approach ensures that users feel represented and encouraged, nonetheless of their fitness level.
Expanding Accessibility: Global Reach and Continued Support
Gentler Streak’s commitment to inclusivity extends beyond its design. In 2024, the app added support for Japanese, Korean, and both traditional and simplified Chinese, building on previous language additions like French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese.
Crucially, core features - fitness tracking, workout suggestions, metrics, and activity recaps – remain freely available to all users. Lotrič explains: “that goes with the Gentler Stories philosophy. We’re bootstrapped, but at the same time we know that not everyone is in a position to support us. We still wont to be a tool that helps people stay healthy not just for the first two weeks of the year or the summer, but all year long.”
Why Gentler Streak Stands out: A New Paradigm for Fitness
Gentler Streak isn’t just a beautifully designed app; it’s a testament to the power of empathy in technology. By prioritizing mental wellbeing, celebrating
