Bluetooth Vitamin & Mineral tracker
Pedaling forward
How we helped our UK-based client Apex evolve their smart bike
and its accompanying app.
Short summary
Industry
Fitness
Location
United Kingdom
Services
Mobile app development
Web development
UX/UI design
Quality assurance
Team
Project Manager
iOS Developer
Android Developer
Backend Developer
2 UX/UI Designers
QA Engineer
Technology
iOS — Swift
Android — Kotlin
Backend —Node.js
Apex’s fitness platform combined a smart bike with an app for real-time tracking, live classes, and leaderboards. But it only worked with Apex bikes, limiting growth.
We stepped in as their development partner, migrating their backend, taking over maintenance, and expanding their app’s capabilities to work with third-party fitness equipment. The result? A more scalable, subscription-first business model that future-proofed their product.
The challenge
Building a fitness app that delivers a great ride while staying scalable and ready for future growth meant overcoming some key obstacles:
- Hardware-dependent revenue — They needed a way to monetize beyond bike sales.
- Bluetooth connectivity issues – Apex’s proprietary protocol meant no compatibility with other fitness bikes.
- Backend instability – Apex needed a more scalable infrastructure to support future expansion.
The solution
We approached the project in three key phases to transform Apex into a truly connected fitness platform:
- Backend migration & stabilization — We moved Apex’s backend to AWS, providing a more stable and scalable foundation.
- Ongoing maintenance & support — Our team handled bug fixes, feature updates, and performance improvements.
- FTMS Bluetooth integration — We expanded the app’s connectivity, allowing it to work with third-party fitness bikes.
PEDAL-POWERED PERFORMANCE
Apex combines a sleek stationary bike with an interactive app, delivering a comprehensive home workout experience. Users engage with real-time telemetry, performance analytics, and social features, all wrapped within an intuitive interface designed for simplicity and depth.
Product features
- Live & on-demand workouts
- Universal Bluetooth connectivity
- Leaderboard & gamification
- Performance tracking
- Apple Health integration
Live & on-demand workouts
Apex offers live and on-demand workouts led by professional instructors, providing both real-time motivation and flexibility. Users can train at their own pace with a growing class library, tailored to different fitness levels and ride styles. Built-in calendar notifications ensure they stay on track and never miss a session.
Universal connectivity
Now compatible with any FTMS-enabled bike, Apex delivers seamless real-time tracking of speed, cadence, resistance, and power output regardless of the hardware.
Leaderboard & gamification
Apex makes every ride competitive with leaderboards and gamification. Users earn Apex Points based on performance, compare stats with friends and the global community, and stay motivated with challenges, milestone achievements, and live leaderboards during training.
Performance
tracking
Apex tracks key fitness metrics like workout history, calories burned, and power output while providing smart recommendations based on progress. Personalized reports give users a detailed view of their fitness journey.
Apple Health & Strava integration
Apex seamlessly syncs with Apple Health and Strava, allowing users to consolidate their fitness data in one place. These integrations enable users to track their rides alongside other workouts, leading to a holistic approach to health and performance tracking.
Our impact
Broader reach, bigger opportunities
Apex is no longer limited to its own hardware. By integrating FTMS Bluetooth support, the platform now works with a wider range of fitness bikes, opening up an entirely new audience. Riders who already own a bike can now join the Apex experience without needing to purchase additional equipment. This expansion unlocks higher user acquisition and long-term growth beyond hardware sales.
Stronger backend
We migrated Apex’s backend to AWS, making it faster, more stable, and scalable. This ensures smooth app performance, even as the user base grows.
Optimized subscription management
Apex’s subscription model now works seamlessly across mobile and web, thanks to our integrations. Users can easily manage payments, renewals, and access their content without interruptions, improving retention and overall customer satisfaction.
Outcome
With a stable backend, improved connectivity, and smoother subscription management, users get a frictionless experience—whether they’re riding an Apex bike or a third-party model.
No setup headaches, no hardware restrictions—just pure, immersive training.
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