Forming an Opportunity Belief- 4A

I believe there is an opportunity in the fitness world. Many individuals workout alone. Some choose to, but others have no choice. They either do not know anyone else who follows the same program as them or is available at the same time as them. This typically causes new gym goers to either quit going or continue to do so with insufficient knowledge about the movements they are performing. I believe that creating an app can solve this problem. The app will anonymously connect those who are working the same muscle groups at the same time at the same gym. This will make it easier for individuals to find a training partner. Pairing will be based on many factors such as which gender you would like to workout with, their experience, and the day's workout. Through the pairing system inexperienced individuals can meet those who are experienced and help them as well. Individuals can also publicly share their workout programs. This will allow individuals to stop using random online workouts that are not benefitting them. As a result through this app, individuals can be more connected with one another at the gym and find better results with their training. The prototypical customer is any gym goer that does not have a coach or personal trainer. I am 90% confident that this opportunity exists.

1. Early twenties female, intermediate level of fitness knowledge

• How long have you been going to the gym?

• " About 3 years." 

• How knowledgeable are you with fitness? Workouts, nutrition, etc

•  "Somewhat knowledgeable, but always learning"

• How did you get the program you are currently doing?

•  "I made the program I am currently doing."

• Do you think the program is actually working?

•  "I think my program is working, but I may be overworking and I'm sure there are ways to improve it."

• Would you rather do an online program or one someone recommended?

• "I don't have a preference to online programs or one someone recommended. I do, however need it to be from someone that either has qualifications or that I trust to be knowledgeable in fitness." 

• Do you workout alone or have a partner?

•  "I workout alone."

• Do you want a partner?

•  "I would love to have a partner."

• How difficult is it to find a partner?

•  "I find it very difficult to find a partner. I feel like there are no girls that work out in the same way I do or like to do the same kind of workouts that I do."

• Would you want your partner to be highly knowledgeable relating to fitness or it doesn't matter?

•  "I would like someone that is about the same level when it comes to fitness knowledge. I wouldn't mind someone more knowledgeable than myself, but I don't want someone that is far less knowledgeable."

• How difficult was it to learn how to properly execute the movements?

•  "I feel that it is pretty difficult to learn how to properly execute the movements. I am still working on my form and struggle to make adjustments to it."

• What motivates you?

•  "The thing that motivates me is a sense of accomplishment. I like to work hard and see and feel my work pay off."

• Does having a partner make you fell more motivated/ accountable?

•  "I feel like I am already hard on myself when it comes to getting my workouts in and being accountable for my fitness. However. I feel like having a partner would make the experience of working out more fun, enjoyable and lighthearted."

• How easy is it to make friends at the gym? Explain your answer. 

• "I feel like it is pretty hard to make friends at the gym. Many people have their headphones in and are doing their own thing. This can make reaching out and trying to start conversations somewhat intimidating."

Reflection:
This individual has a tough time finding a workout partner even though she would really love to have one. It is difficult for her because she has a different approach to the gym than other girls. This individual is the ideal customer for the app. The app will satisfy her unmet need.
 2. Early twenties male, average level of fitness knowledge

• How long have you been going to the gym?

• "I've been going to the gym for a total of 2 years but it hasn't been consistent."

• How knowledgeable are you with fitness? Workouts, nutrition, etc

•  "I would say I'm just a beginner on topics such as workouts and nutrition, I just know the basics."

• How did you get the program you are currently doing?

•  "My cousin, Larry, works out himself and is very knowledgeable about pretty much everything there is to know about working out, nutrition, etc. I asked him to make me a program for my specific goals."

• Do you think the program is actually working?

•  "Yes for the consecutive months I was on the program I saw improvements physically and in my strength."

• Would you rather do an online program or one someone recommended?

• "I would stick with my cousin for my programs but if I didn't have that resource I would do a program someone recommended because I feel like they would cater more to my goals than an online program."

• Do you workout alone or have a partner?

•  "I workout alone currently but am looking forward to working out with my girlfriend soon."

• Do you want a partner?

•  "Yes, I feel like there are a lot of benefits in working out with a partner."

• How difficult is it to find a partner?

•  "Sometime it's hard cause you and your partner don't have the same time in their schedule to meet up and workout together."

• Would you want your partner to be highly knowledgeable relating to fitness or it doesn't matter?

•  "It doesn't matter to me, we can both learn and grow as we go."

• How difficult was it to learn how to properly execute the movements?

•  "Not difficult. If I didn't know how to properly perform the exercise I would just search online or watch YouTube and learn."

• What motivates you?

•  "What motivates me in the gym is simply self-improvement and growth. I want to get stronger in general. Also I want to achieve a nice/bigger physique to cover myself in tattoos. That is one of my goals."

• Does having a partner make you fell more motivated/ accountable?

•  "Yes I have a cousin who asks me how the program is going and if there is something I would like to change about it. I also have my girlfriend who supports me in pretty much everything I do in life."

• How easy is it to make friends at the gym? Explain your answer. 

• "I've never really tried to make friends at the gym, I feel like people just have their headphones in and are there just to do what they gotta do. But I have made friends playing basketball after my workouts."

Reflection:
This individual would also like to have a workout partner but can't find one due to scheduling issues. I thought that individuals would want to be paired with those who are more knowledgeable so that they can learn from them. However this individual does not mind if their partner is more or less knowledgeable.

3. Early twenties female, above average level of fitness knowledge

• How long have you been going to the gym?

• "I've been active my whole life but I didn't start regularly going to the gym until about junior year in high school."

• How knowledgeable are you with fitness? Workouts, nutrition, etc

• "I’m not an expert, but I research a lot of workout and nutrition theories in my free time, and read a lot of nutrition books, so I’d like to think I’m fairly knowledgeable, but i know there’s a lot I’m missing.

• How did you get the program you are currently doing?

•  "I make a goal that I want to achieve and then look up various workout plans and from that inspiration I put together my own program."

• Do you think the program is actually working?

•  "Well, it’s only been about 2 days since I started this new one, but I’m sore today so I think that’s a good sign!"

• Would you rather do an online program or one someone recommended?

• "It doesn’t really matter to me, I’ve done both before. I think it’s easier to find an online program though." 

• Do you workout alone or have a partner?

• "It depends. I will go with people if they are available, but I will also go alone. I used to only go alone and I didn’t start going with a partner until last year."

• Do you want a partner?

• "It depends. I typically like going with someone because it’s more fun, but if they aren’t going to push me I don’t like it. I love having a partner when they keep me motivated and accountable."

• How difficult is it to find a partner?

• " It’s not really difficult to find any partner, but finding one that has similar goals as me, and that will help me reach my goals is a lot harder. It’s especially hard with girls because a lot of times all they want to do is cardio when I want to focus on strength. "

• Would you want your partner to be highly knowledgeable relating to fitness or it doesn't matter? 

• "Ideally, I’d like them to be knowledgeable, so they can help me make sure I am doing everything right. However as long as they are as willing to push themselves as I am I’m good. I also don’t want someone who intimidates me because then I purposely won’t try so I don't feel judged for my hardest."

• How difficult was it to learn how to properly execute the movements?

• " Not really that hard. Some movements are harder than others, but for the most part I’ll watch a video if I’m unsure and then I usually get it."

• What motivates you?

•  "Seeing progress and working towards my goal."

• Does having a partner make you fell more motivated/ accountable?

•  "That depends on who my partner is. If I have someone who is working hard, then yes I’m more motivated, but if I’m with a lazy partner then I won’t work as hard."

• How easy is it to make friends at the gym? Explain your answer. 

• "I don’t make friends at the gym. I don’t really go to socialize and meet people. I go in, workout and leave. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone new at the gym. I’d like to, but I keep to myself."

Reflection:
The individual stated that it is hard to find other girls to workout with because she likes to lift weights whereas others tend to not. From this interview I realized that my opportunity has many subjective factors that can make or break a users experience. For example this individual stated that proper execution of movements was not hard, which can cause her to be paired with an intermediate lifter even though her form is truly not adequate enough to lift at that level.

Summary:
The basis of my original opportunity is still there. Percentage wise it would be about 80% of my original opportunity. The main difference is that I assumed novice and average gym goers would want to be paired with higher level gym goers. This however is not true. Therefore my opportunity now includes a wider customer base. The new opportunity is for any gym goer who simply wants a partner. I think that entrepreneurs should adapt to the customers' feedback but stay true to the original intent of their opportunity. If the entrepreneur were to adapt too much from the feedback they will be trying to please too many different groups which will cause the opportunity to no longer exist because it will be too broad.