Pilates By Bryony

What it does

Pilates By Bryony provides a subscription-based platform for at-home Pilates workouts. The app features a comprehensive library of on-demand videos led by instructor Bryony Deery, alongside a schedule of upcoming live classes. Content is structured into various categories, including monthly challenges, beginner programs, body-part focus, and workout duration, catering to a range of fitness levels and goals.

Where it shines

The app's design is clean, minimalist, and content-forward. The home screen (00:47) does an excellent job of organizing a large library into digestible, horizontally-scrolling carousels, making it easy for users to discover relevant workouts. The integration with the native device calendar for live class reminders (01:01 - 01:05) is a thoughtful touch that bridges the gap between the app and a user's daily life, significantly increasing the likelihood of engagement with time-sensitive content.

UX highlights

Frictionless Onboarding: The app gets users to the core content quickly by prioritizing the subscription and deferring account creation. The entire sign-up process is completed in under a minute.
Smart Search UI: Search results (03:13) are intelligently separated into 'Videos' and 'Collections' tabs, catering to users looking for either a single session or a structured program.
Useful Player Settings: The video player includes options for background audio (01:34), allowing users to listen to instructions while their device is locked, a crucial feature for workouts.
Thoughtful 'My List' Functionality: Users can easily save both individual videos and entire collections to their 'My List' for later, with clear visual feedback when an item is added (00:59).
Contextual Permission Prompts: The app waits until a user interacts with a relevant feature (like 'Remind me') before asking for system permissions (like calendar access), explaining the value exchange clearly.

Monetization & growth

Monetization is handled upfront through a soft paywall presented immediately after the initial welcome screen (00:07). The app offers a 30-day free trial for both its monthly and annual subscription plans, a generous period that allows users to fully explore the content library. The paywall itself is simple and clean, presenting just two options to avoid choice paralysis. There are no visible upsells or alternative offers after the initial subscription.

Who it’s for

The app is designed for individuals interested in practicing Pilates at home. Its content structure suggests it caters to a wide audience, from absolute beginners ('7 Day Beginner Challenge') to more experienced practitioners. The focus on challenges and specific body parts makes it suitable for users who are goal-oriented and appreciate a structured approach to their fitness routine.

Notes & opportunities

While the content organization is strong, the sheer volume could be daunting for new users. A 'Daily Pick' or a simple 'Start Here' recommendation on the home screen could help reduce choice paralysis. The dark mode toggle, a valuable user preference, is somewhat hidden within several layers of the settings menu (03:45) and could be more accessible. Finally, the video player's settings menu requires multiple taps to access key features like background audio, which could be streamlined.