Ascend Case Study

/ Coaching Platform

/ Workout Tracker

/ Program Marketplace

Services provided

Competitive analysis

UX/UI Design consulting

Web development

Cross-platform development

Backend development

User testing

Founders' vision

Ascend came to us with a clear mission: revolutionize how fitness professionals and athletes connect and thrive. They knew that fragmented coaching apps and sharing training programs as PDF documents were holding everyone back.

Their vision? A unified platform where coaches can seamlessly digitize and grow their businesses, and athletes of every level, across all sports can find the perfect programs, track their workouts and get support to reach new heights.

Our process

Discovery and planning

The first step in our collaboration with Ascend was a comprehensive discovery process. We worked closely with the founders to refine their initial concept, ensuring it aligned with the needs of their target audience. By engaging directly with athletes and coaches and analyzing the competitive landscape, we crafted a strategic blueprint for the platform: key features, a detailed product roadmap, and the optimal tech stack.

Tech stack

Pub Nub

For the MVP, we chose a powerful and adaptable tech stack: Vue.js, Node.js, and MongoDB. This combination enabled rapid and flexible Progressive Web App (PWA) development across web, iOS and Android, while ensuring scalability for future growth. Secure and efficient financial transactions were facilitated through Stripe Connect.

Long term Approach

To ensure the platform's long-term maintainability, we built a comprehensive design system in Figma, leveraging its most advanced features. By implementing atomic design principles, we created a library of reusable components, streamlining the development process and ensuring a consistent user experience. This approach facilitates seamless collaboration and allows for efficient adaptation as the product scales.

Proactive Iteration and Refinement

Our approach goes beyond simply fulfilling client’s brief; we proactively contribute our expertise and insights and drive continuous improvement. Throughout the Ascend project, we embraced an iterative process, constantly refining the platform based on user feedback and evolving insights. This commitment to refinement resulted in a more intuitive, feature-rich experience, deeply aligned with the needs of both coaches and athletes.

For instance, our collaboration with coaches led to significant enhancements of the exercise editor. We iteratively expanded its functionality, providing coaches with a comprehensive selection of metrics tailored to diverse sports and coaching styles.

Similarly, user testing with athletes played a crucial role in optimizing navigation and features, ensuring the platform was both user-friendly and effective. This user-centric approach shaped not only the existing features but also the future development roadmap.

Result

The collaboration between TechLeadout and Ascend has brought to life a transformative fitness platform. Designed with users in mind, Ascend is poised to revolutionize how athletes and coaches connect and ascend to their goals.

This journey has deepened our expertise in the fitness space and in building dynamic marketplaces, preparing us to empower even more innovators in the future. We've honed our skills, refined our processes, and are ready for new challenges, delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients.

Let's talk about your project

Book a free consultation to explore how we can help you.

Person

Alexander Nedosugov

TechLeadout Founder

FAQ

My early prototype was confusing to users. How can you ensure intuitive UX from the beginning, even with a rough MVP?

Our design philosophy emphasizes empathy. We focus heavily on user testing, even with early prototypes. This means we catch friction points early, saving you from costly redesigns down the road. We'll work with you to get real users interacting with your MVP, and their feedback will guide the design for maximum usability from day one.

I've been burned by agencies that overpromise and underdeliver. How do you ensure I get the results I need?

We understand that trust is earned. We're not just executors; we're strategic partners. Instead of vague promises, we set clear milestones, provide realistic timelines, and proactively address potential roadblocks. Our track record with startups speaks for itself.

I'm a bootstrapped founder. Can you start small and scale my team as funding and product needs grow?

Absolutely! We understand startups need flexibility. We'll start by assessing your MVP's core needs and assign a lean team – a designer, developer, and project manager to keep things focused. As your product and budget grow, we can strategically expand your team to match your evolving requirements.

My last agency disappeared after launch. How committed are you to keeping my platform running smoothly long-term?

We understand that launch is just the beginning! We offer flexible maintenance plans tailored to your needs. Whether you need regular updates, bug fixes, or ongoing feature development, we'll be an extension of your team. We prioritize long-term partnerships, ensuring your platform grows and adapts with your business.

My industry is very niche, and most agencies don't get it. How do you ensure you'll quickly understand the unique needs of my users?

We see unfamiliar industries as exciting challenges! We combine thorough research with direct engagement with your key stakeholders and potential users for rapid understanding. Our experience across various sectors means we can adapt quickly and bring fresh perspectives to your niche.

I need to get my MVP out fast, but I'm afraid of launching a half-baked product. How do you balance speed with essential features?

We prioritize a lean but impactful MVP. We'll work with you to ruthlessly prioritize features based on maximum user value and minimal development complexity. Our iterative approach with rapid prototyping and user feedback ensures we get the essential core right before investing in less critical features.

I'm not very technical. How will you explain things to me in plain English and involve me in the process?

We believe collaboration is key, regardless of your technical expertise. We'll break down complex concepts into clear explanations and avoid overwhelming jargon. You'll have regular review sessions with visual mockups and prototypes, so you can provide feedback and see your product come to life without needing to understand code.

How do you protect my intellectual property? I can't afford my idea being stolen.

We take confidentiality very seriously. Before starting any project, we sign a strict NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) outlining our commitment to protecting your ideas. Our development practices prioritize security, and we limit access to sensitive project information to essential team members only.

I'm aiming for venture capital funding. How can you help me create a product that impresses investors?

We understand that investors want to see more than just a good idea. We'll help you develop a polished pitch deck, and create a data-driven prototype that showcases traction and market potential. Our focus on clean UI/UX ensures your product makes a strong first impression on potential investors. Furthermore, we maintain a clean, well-organized codebase, ready for potential due diligence checks.

Get in touch

hello@techleadout.com
www.techleadout.com 2025