Challenges motivate users

The birth of the app in February 2015 came from Wang's own weight loss experience.

The 29-year-old recalls that during his college years he managed to lose some 20 kilograms in about eight months. But that didn't happen in the gym. As a student who couldn't afford expensive sessions, Wang searched for exercise videos and became familiar with each workout.

"I wanted to help people like me find videos and lose weight more easily," says Wang. Due to sedentary habits from a modern lifestyle, many young Chinese find themselves putting on weight when working behind a desk. However, keeping up regular exercise is not an easy thing and many people will find any convenient excuse to quit. Encouraging people to use the app consistently became a challenge for Wang.

One of his solutions is to let app users set targets and show their progress on the app's social platform.

"I gained five kilograms after graduation, and always want to lose weight," says Du Qian, a 32-year-old project manager at an advertising company in Shanghai. She is active on the app's social platform and posts every time she finishes a workout.

"Though it gives you star ratings after exercise, people's 'likes' satisfy me more. I get a sense of fulfillment receiving attention, especially when it's from strangers."

Du says she likes to scan people's posts, too. She thinks it is important to know there are many people doing the same thing with her, and it makes working out much easier.

On the app's social platform, there are photos comparing users' physical shapes before and after, which encourages Du.

"I can see obvious differences, and it makes me believe that, as long as I keep going, I will see the miracle happen for me as well."

Du, who has used the app for half a year, took part in three successive "28-day challenges" launched by the app to help people get into the habit of regular exercise.

Besides losing weight, she is also more confident and feels she is leading a better life.