Improving the Challenge Experience
on the Wim Hof Method app

Problem

The WHM app’s confusing interface made it difficult for users to navigate challenges, control their experience, and track progress.

Outcome

A streamlined interface that improves navigation while introducing features for customization, completion, and progress tracking.

Intro

Wim Hof teaches the benefits of breathing exercises, cold therapy, and meditation. The Wim Hof Method (WHM) app guides users through these techniques with structured challenges. However, the Cold Shower Challenge had significant usability issues, leading to frustration and a low retention rate. This case study explores how we improved the user experience, navigation, and control within the challenge.

My role

I led the interface redesign and collaborated with Tanya Castro on research and usability testing for this practice project.

Problem

Confusing Timer Settings

Users often feel disoriented during sessions, making it hard to track exercise progression and maintain consistency.

Limited Control During Shower Experience

The app lacked pause, restart, and customization options, preventing users from adjusting their cold shower experience to their comfort levels.

Difficult Dashboard Navigation

Users struggled to access and log their symptoms, limiting their ability to track progress effectively.

Process

Research

We conducted competitor benchmarking on similar apps like Cold Therapy and Breathwrk to understand industry best practices.

Cold Therapy

Cold Therapy

Cold Therapy

• User Data easy to find

• Customizable settings at various stages

• Overwhelming amount of challenge settings

• Easy to track and save attempts within app as well as syncing capabilities

Breathwrk

Breathwrk

Breathwrk

• Efficient user flow

• Captivating UI with easy learnability

• Offering of subscription services isn’t overdone

Ideation

Through brainstorming and rapid sketching, we identified key areas for enhancement, focusing on:

Improved accessibility with a refined user flow and a more intuitive color palette.

Enhanced timer controls, allowing users to pause, adjust, and restart their challenge.

Better tracking features, making symptom logging and progress monitoring easier.

Cold Shower Challenge User Flow

Based on our research, we mapped out a new user flow that integrates improved usability, clearer instructions, and greater flexibility in challenge settings.

Current Design Vs Proposed Solution

Our prototype introduced:

• Refined information architecture for intuitive navigation.

• Clear, action-driven copy for better user guidance.

• More control over the challenge experience, empowering users to personalize their sessions.

Usability Testing

We conducted usability testing via Maze to assess how users interacted with the redesigned challenge flow. Our testing script included: introduction & segmentation questions, scenario-based usability tasks, and wrap-up feedback.

Key Observations

87.5% of testers clicked the back button when viewing tips & instructions, indicating a need for better onboarding.

1 in 3 testers cut their shower duration short, highlighting a preference for more flexibility.

CTAs were clear and easy to find, improving task completion.

61% of users attempted to log symptoms, but none completed the process, suggesting further optimization is needed.

24% of users mentioned enjoying the new interface

Next steps

By redesigning key screens and refining the Cold Shower Challenge flow, we helped improving usability, navigation, and personalization. Our next steps include:

Optimize the Symptom Logging Experience by simplifying input fields and adding guided prompts to encourage completion.

Refine Onboarding to provide clearer, more engaging guidance, reducing the need for users to click back.

Conduct follow-up usability testing and analyze retention data to measure the impact of our updates and identify further areas for improvement.

By redesigning key screens and refining the Cold Shower Challenge flow, we helped improving usability, navigation, and personalization. Our next steps include:

Optimize the Symptom Logging Experience by simplifying input fields and adding guided prompts to encourage completion.

Refine Onboarding to provide clearer, more engaging guidance, reducing the need for users to click back.

Conduct follow-up usability testing and analyze retention data to measure the impact of our updates and identify further areas for improvement.

By redesigning key screens and refining the Cold Shower Challenge flow, we helped improving usability, navigation, and personalization. Our next steps include:

Optimize the Symptom Logging Experience by simplifying input fields and adding guided prompts to encourage completion.

Refine Onboarding to provide clearer, more engaging guidance, reducing the need for users to click back.

Conduct follow-up usability testing and analyze retention data to measure the impact of our updates and identify further areas for improvement.