Phrases like downward dog and sun salutations have become well-known as yoga has exploded in popularity. Now with app technology, a team of BYU students is taking stretching to a whole new level by creating their own fitness app.
The app, Touch Your Toes in 10 Days, gives daily stretching instructions from a certified personal trainer for the user to increase their flexibility in 10 days. The team is the first in its entrepreneur class to successfully create an iPhone app available on the iTunes App Store for 99 cents.
Their success is not limited to the U.S., since it is rated number one in Bulgaria for the health and fitness category of paid apps. With more than 1,300 downloads and a 4.5 star rating, the team is excited to watch the numbers climb after the hard work they put into creating the app.
Jordan Garn, a sophomore from Springville, majoring in entrepreneurship, programmed the app and said it is the first time he has produced an app with a group. Garn said the team analyzed each member’s strengths and found this app idea to have the most potential with the time constraint they had to work with.
“I came into the class and this is what I wanted to do from the start,” Garn said. “We have done really well complimenting each others' strengths, and this is a very exciting market for app entrepreneurs.”
Jared Kelson, a senior from Olympia, Wash., majoring in biology, wrote the script for the app by using his knowledge of the stretches. He said by pooling each team member’s skill set, they dedicated many hours to the project collectively. Team member positions included a photographer, graphic designer, programmer, marketer and writer. Kelson said the app has received more than 150 positive ratings because their instruction works.
“The success of the app all depends how much the person is willing to put in and how much they are willing to push themselves,” Kelson said. “It is designed to improve overall fitness and is targeted toward athletes and physically active people hoping to improve their performance and general well-being.”
“The success of the app all depends how much the person is willing to put in and how much they are willing to push themselves,” Kelson said. “It is designed to improve overall fitness and is targeted toward athletes and physically active people hoping to improve their performance and general well-being.”
Patrick Francom, a senior majoring in communications, said he has a passion for entrepreneurship and has enjoyed the hands-on experience creating the app. Within the first few days on the app market, Touch Your Toes in 10 Days was in the top 100 health and fitness apps in the U.S.
“From all the research I’ve done, the key is to be really thorough because many apps are mediocre in quality,” Francom said. “The end result needs to give your customer something to be excited about.”