A U.S. and Canadian fitness company set out to replace an expensive third-party training platform with its own integrated coaching system. Coherent Solutions worked in partnership with the client’s development teams to build a native solution to support both personal and corporate training programs. The collaboration removed the need for external vendors, improved the member experience, and gave the client complete control of its coaching environment.
At a glance
Industry: Fitness and wellness.
Challenge: Dependence on a third-party coaching platform with limited integration and added expense .
Solution: Native coaching platform embedded in the client’s existing app .
Outcome: Streamlined member experience, improved flexibility, and stronger control over content and data .
Coherent’s role: Software engineering partner responsible for integration, data migration, and feature delivery in partnership with the client’s internal teams .
Client overview
The client operates a network of over 200 fitness clubs across North America, combining in-person and digital wellness experiences. Its mobile app serves as the main point of contact for members, enabling workouts, class scheduling, and coaching.
The coaching initiative began as part of a larger digital modernization effort to bring all core services under one application. The goal was to strengthen hybrid membership options and deliver a consistent experience across physical and digital touchpoints.
The challenge
The original coaching model relied on a third-party platform that required members to install a separate app and manage another login. The setup created friction, diluted the client’s brand experience, and carried recurring licensing costs.
For coaches, managing programs, profiles, and client sessions across multiple systems slowed workflows and reduced visibility. The client wanted a single, cohesive environment that gave trainers more autonomy and allowed members to access all coaching content in one place.
Beyond these immediate concerns, vendor dependence also limited the client’s ability to adapt or extend features.
After reviewing available third-party options, the teams concluded that none could meet the performance and integration goals. As Coherent Solutions Software Engineer Siarhei Karabko explained, “building a native platform became the logical path forward.” It would provide support for both personal training and corporate wellness programs within one environment that existing vendors couldn’t offer.”
The project became a key step in the client’s wider modernization plan to consolidate core member experiences and reduce vendor dependence across its digital ecosystem.
Our approach
Coherent Solutions joined the project after the proof-of-concept stage, partnering with the client’s teams to expand the foundation into a scalable production solution. The engagement followed a mixed-team model and combined Coherent engineers, client developers, and U.S. contractors under one delivery stream.
The teams worked in close coordination, sharing ownership of delivery and ensuring the new platform aligned with the client’s broader membership systems. Early milestones focused on corporate training programs for all members, followed by the introduction of personal coaching and trainer management features.
One of the most significant challenges was onboarding coaches who already had established workflows on the previous system. The new platform needed to deliver significant improvements in usability and value to ensure a smooth transition and sustained adoption.
Development decisions were guided by collaboration and pragmatism. While each release built toward a stable foundation that could support future innovation without creating technical debt.
The solution
The new coaching system was built directly within the client’s flagship fitness app, eliminating the dependency on third-party tools. The platform introduced a library-based content structure that gave trainers a simple way to create, reuse, and personalize content for members. Coaches can also assign workouts to individuals or publish broader programs for open access.
The platform also centralized trainer bios and profiles, which were previously hosted externally. Coaches now manage their professional details and content in one environment, simplifying oversight and improving data consistency.
A key milestone involved designing a seamless data and services migration that minimized downtime and prevented data loss. Though separate from the coaching rollout, this work advanced the client’s moderniation goals by replacing high-cost, inflexible storage systems with a more efficient infrastructure. The resulting framework became a repeatable model for future migrations across the client’s digital ecosystem.
The architecture also gave internal teams more freedom to extend the platform. New features could be developed and deployed without disrupting live services, allowing the client to evolve functionality as its digital strategy advanced.
The impact
The integrated solution transformed the daily experience for both coaches and members. Coaching now lives entirely within the flagship app, creating a seamless, branded environment and reducing operational complexity.
The result is a more consistent experience, stronger retention, and clearer pathways for future digital expansion.
The client realized digital value across multiple areas, including:
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Reduced ongoing costs and removed reliance on third-party licensing.
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Full ownership of platform data and content.
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Unified corporate and personal coaching within the main app.
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Approximately 2,000 trainers can deliver and digitally manage their programs.
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Centralized trainer profiles and content within a single environment .
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Improved visibility and discoverability of coaching programs for members .
Integrating coaching into the unified app also strengthened the client’s broader engagement ecosystem. Members now move easily between training, educational content, and wellness features. They can read blog posts, track their habits, and explore lifestyle tips all within the same experience. The app also supports related business lines such as spa services, supplements, and café sales, turning member engagement directly into revenue growth.
The platform now serves as both an operational backbone and a launchpad for upcoming digital initiatives.
What’s next
The coaching initiative continues to evolve with new staff applications and deeper feature sets. Current priorities include better data management, personalized training flows, and enhanced hybrid engagement that bridges digital and in-club experiences.
As the client expands its digital membership strategy, the integrated coaching platform remains central to its vision for connected fitness and long-term digital growth.
