Playbook - Trainers & Workouts

What it does

Playbook is a fitness platform that connects users with a vast library of workouts and programs created by hundreds of trainers and influencers. Instead of offering a single, monolithic fitness plan, it acts as a marketplace where users can subscribe to get access to content from a wide variety of creators. The app covers everything from gym and home workouts to nutrition guides, allowing users to follow their favorite trainers directly.

Where it shines

Playbook's strength lies in its creator-centric model. The app isn't just a workout log, it's a hub for fitness personalities. A great example is the detailed creator profile screen (01:50), which features curated collections, a community tab for interaction, and even extra content like nutrition guides. This fosters a direct connection between the user and the trainer. Another standout feature is the "Gift a friend" growth loop (01:01), which turns sharing into a targeted, high-value referral by letting users unlock a specific premium workout for a friend.

UX highlights

Frictionless Onboarding: The sign-up process (00:09 - 00:31) is fast and passwordless, getting users into the app's content library in under 30 seconds.
Robust Discovery: The search and filter tools are powerful (00:35), allowing users to sift through the massive library by workout type, creator, or program.
Rich Previews: Users can watch introductory videos for workouts (00:48) before committing, giving them a clear sense of the style and intensity.
Actionable Content: Every workout is accompanied by clear actions like "Learn More" or "Start Now", and options to schedule (01:29) or share.
Integrated Community: Comment sections are available on workouts (02:15), allowing users to share experiences and ask questions directly.
Progress Tracking: A dedicated progress section in the user profile allows for adding photos and weight to visually track transformation over time (05:02).

Monetization & growth

Playbook employs a contextual, soft paywall strategy. Users can browse nearly the entire app for free, including creator profiles and workout lists. The subscription prompt appears only when a user attempts a premium action, such as starting a workout, joining a community (01:55), or accessing exclusive content (01:59). The paywall itself presents two clear options, Monthly and Annual, with a discount highlighted for the longer commitment (01:14). Growth is driven by the clever "Gift a Workout" referral system, encouraging organic sharing.

Who it’s for

This app is ideal for individuals who follow specific fitness influencers and want all their content in one place. It also caters to users who crave variety and want the flexibility to switch between different training styles and experts without needing multiple subscriptions. It serves both at-home fitness enthusiasts and gym-goers looking for structured plans.

Notes & opportunities

While the free-to-browse model is great for discovery, the frequent paywall interruptions for nearly every meaningful action could lead to user fatigue. The visual identity also varies between creators (e.g., Alynee Cesar's profile at 00:41 uses a teal theme, while Claire Thomas's at 01:50 uses yellow). This gives creators individuality but could slightly dilute the app's overall brand consistency. There's an opportunity to provide a small set of unlocked, introductory workouts to better demonstrate the value before hitting the first paywall.