The vision was bold: empower every user with a smarter, more engaging workout journey that adapts to their goals in real time.
By integrating live performance data from BowFlex equipment and connected wearables, modernizing backend systems on a scalable cloud architecture, and delivering a sleek, high-performance fitness app experience, we helped BowFlex bridge the gap between world-class equipment and digital coaching. The result is more than an app, it’s a next-generation fitness ecosystem: faster, more reliable, and packed with personalized insights that keep users motivated, connected, and achieving results.
With AI-powered personalization on the horizon, BowFlex and Coherent Solutions are redefining how digital innovation drives healthier lifestyles and stronger brand loyalty.
At a glance
Client: Bowflex is a global leader in connected fitness equipment under Nautilus, Inc., known for integrating high-performance machines with personalized digital workout experiences.
Industry: Connected fitness equipment & digital fitness platforms
Challenge: Modernize legacy systems to support high transaction volumes and enhance real-time engagement features, amid rapid demand shifts, to elevate customer experience and operational efficiency.
Solution: Rebuilt the order-processing and e-commerce backend using scalable, serverless, cloud-native architecture on AWS. Introduced seamless integration of digital workout content via apps preloaded on tablets paired with equipment.
Outcome: Achieved 10–20× system performance improvement, enabled massive horizontal scalability with zero order backlogs, increased reliability during peak demand, and reduced maintenance overhead, freeing teams to focus on innovation.
Coherent’s role: Partnered with Bowflex to design and deliver a scalable, cloud-native solution that accelerated system modernization and supported future growth.
Client overview
BowFlex is a global leader in connected fitness equipment, trusted by millions of households and recognized for innovation, quality, and results in home workout solutions. For over three decades, the brand has been at the forefront of fitness technology, from pioneering strength equipment to creating immersive cardio and connected platforms. With a passionate and loyal user base worldwide, BowFlex’s mission is to empower people at every stage of their fitness journey by blending cutting-edge hardware with engaging digital experiences. The result is more than just exercise; it’s motivation, accountability, and a sustainable path to healthier living.
The challenge: Beyond an app refresh, building a biometric fitness companion
BowFlex didn’t need just new features, but a partner capable of rethinking their digital ecosystem end-to-end. Coherent Solutions was brought in to modernize legacy systems, design secure real-time data flows, and ensure that the digital experience could scale globally. A significant effort was also directed toward supporting the new models of BowFlex equipment, which required ensuring the app’s compatibility with both legacy and cutting-edge products. This was critical to maintaining the brand's reputation for delivering innovation across its entire range of fitness machines.
BowFlex’s goal was clear but ambitious:
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Capture and process real-time biometric data such as heart rate, calorie burn, and workout duration from both BowFlex equipment and third-party wearables.
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Present this data through intuitive, motivational dashboards that help users track progress and stay engaged.
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Ensure the app delivers consistent, reliable performance globally, avoiding frustrating lags or crashes.
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Accelerate the release cycle to bring new features to users faster without compromising quality.
This required not just software development, but a holistic rethink of data pipelines, testing automation, UI design, and performance optimization.
Our approach: Embedded, collaborative, and agile
Coherent Solutions embedded a 38-person cross-functional team that became a core part of BowFlex’s product group—working daily alongside product and technology leaders to co-own product vision, design decisions, and release priorities. Rather than acting as an external vendor, we operated as an integrated partner, driving architecture, UX, QA automation, and performance optimization in lockstep with BowFlex.
Key focus areas included:
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Building robust biometric data pipelines to handle high-volume, real-time data streams smoothly and securely.
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Designing graphically rich dashboards that turn complex data into clear, inspiring insights, motivating users to push further.
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Expanding automated test coverage to reduce manual QA overhead and speed up release velocity.
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Tuning app performance to deliver fast, responsive user experiences across various devices and networks.
Our collaborative, agile approach allowed us to rapidly adapt to user feedback and evolving product priorities.
The solution: A truly connected fitness ecosystem
These outcomes were the result of Coherent’s deep integration across the development lifecycle from architecting biometric data pipelines and designing dashboards to implementing automated test frameworks and fine-tuning performance across devices.
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The final app is more than a fitness tracker; it’s a personal biometric coach that supports users at every step with:
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Real-time heart rate, calorie, and workout duration tracking from BowFlex equipment and compatible wearables.
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Dynamic, visually engaging dashboards displaying progress history, milestones, and goal tracking.
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Automated testing frameworks which ensure consistent quality while enabling rapid feature rollout.
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Performance optimizations that guarantee smooth, lag-free experiences worldwide.
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Ongoing strategic collaboration for iterative feature evolution based on real user data.
The impact: Elevating user engagement and market position
BowFlex has now achieved faster release cycles, higher app stability, and stronger user ratings, which improve loyalty and retention to the brand, increasing enterprise value. By embedding into every stage of the product lifecycle, Coherent ensured that innovation was delivered without compromise:
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Automated test coverage significantly increased, cutting QA cycles and ensuring smoother, more reliable releases.
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App stability improvements led to higher ratings on Google Play, reflecting stronger user satisfaction.
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Faster release cycles allowed BowFlex to respond quickly to market trends and user needs, sustaining growth momentum.
What’s next: AI-driven personalization and advanced analytics
Together, BowFlex and Coherent Solutions are now co-developing AI-driven personalization features that will deliver adaptive workout plans, real-time coaching, and deeper engagement — pushing the connected fitness experience toward its next evolution.
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After weaving AI into it’s digital experience, BowFlex will be able to:
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Deliver tailored workout plans that adapt dynamically to user performance.
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Provide real-time coaching suggestions that enhance motivation and outcomes.
This next phase will further strengthen BowFlex’s mission to bring personalized, connected fitness to users worldwide.
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