User Experience Design, Capstone Certificate

Strava: user research & usability testing

Summer 2026

I decided to choose Strava, “a fitness app that lets people track their runs, bike rides, walks, and other workouts using GPS, while also sharing their activities and connecting with friends." I chose this system because I love the app overall. I am an active person, and it aligns with my interests. It's also something different from a food or restaurant project, which is what much of my work has centered around.  I think it's a great way to keep yourself engaged and connect with a community at the same time. Strava is also a great way to track your progress while staying disciplined. 

The users I will be focusing on for Strava are runners, cyclists, and swimmers who are training for a race, fitness enthusiasts who want to connect with others in the fitness community, and individuals who are just beginning their fitness journey and want to track their progress. These groups are well aligned with Strava’s target audience and are likely to need the app’s features and services.

By studying these users, I hope to better understand how effectively Strava supports their goals and whether the app provides a positive user experience. I am particularly interested in learning whether new users can easily understand and navigate the app, as well as whether its features and information are useful for helping users achieve their fitness objectives. I want to evaluate if the app’s usability meets the needs of both experienced athletes and those who are using Strava for the first time.

To prepare for my usability test, I will need to conduct research to determine which tasks users should be asked to perform while using Strava. These tasks should reflect common goals and activities that users complete within the app so that I can accurately evaluate its usability and effectiveness. 

I started my research by creating and distributing a Google Forms participant screener. I sent it to one of my peers who runs a fitness Instagram page and asked her to share the link on her Instagram story to reach users who matched my target audience.

Using the results from the screener and my research on the app, I created four tasks for participants to complete during the usability test. The metrics I chose to evaluate were task success and error rate, allowing me to measure whether participants could successfully complete each task and identify any usability issues they encountered.

  • You recently started training for a 10K race. Show how you would record an outdoor run.

  • You have been working out for a month and want to check your progress. View your progress calendar/streak calendar

  • You want to get involved with your community and make new friends regarding fitness. Follow a  Strava Running club.

  • You want to see what your friends are doing for working out and give them support. Give another user kudos (like) on their post on the home feed.

From there, I selected two participants and conducted a pilot usability test with them in a public space. I created a consent form that each participant signed and dated before beginning the study. I also prepared pre-test, during-test, and post-test questions, along with a printed task sheet for participants to reference throughout the session.

During each test, I used my own Strava account on my phone while taking notes and recording the session using the Apple Voice Memos app. After completing the pilot tests, I reworded several of my tasks, reflected on my performance as a moderator, and decided to purchase Strava's free trial before my final usability testing. This ensured participants had access to the app's full functionality and could complete the tasks without being limited by locked features.