Designing a digital platform to expand YMCA BC access.
Our client YMCA BC wanted to extend its support beyond the people who could regularly visit a centre. We built and tested an interactive prototype for web and mobile bringing together fitness, learning, personal goals, bookings, expert support. Through rapid testing with members, we turned a broad collection of ideas into a connected digital experience with a clearer purpose: helping people access more of what the YMCA offers, beyond its physical locations.
MY ROLE
UX/UI, Product Testing
TEAM
Disruptive Edge Consulting
TIMELINE
Sept - Dec 2025
TOOLS USED
Figma/Figma Make, UserInterviews.com, Strella
THE CHALLENGE
How might we bring YBC’s holistic support to every member?
YMCA BC offers more than a place to exercise. Its programs, instructors, expert guidance, and community supported many aspects of people’s wellbeing. But much of that value depended on being able to attend in person. People who lived far from a centre, had mobility limitations, or could not visit regularly had fewer ways to participate. YMCA already offered online content through Y@HOME, but a library of workout videos could not provide the same breadth of support.
OUR SOLUTION
We designed a digital solution that connected the different offerings of the YMCA experience.
Members could explore activities, work toward personal goals, discover expert support, and navigate bookings and membership functionality without treating each as a separate service.
A home screen that helps users get started
The dashboard brought together current activities, recommendations, progress, and unfinished content. It gave members a starting point for their next activity and a way to pick up where they left off.
Goals, progress, and challenges
Members could explore goals and track progress across different aspects of wellness. The design accommodated motivations beyond athletic performance, including building a routine, improving mobility, staying active, and completing learning activities.
Community connections and sharing
We designed a social hub where members could share their experiences, encourage one another, and build connections within the YMCA community. The aim was to extend the sense of belonging members valued in person, helping them feel connected even when they could not visit a centre.
Fitness and learning in one place
On-demand workouts and courses sat within a shared content experience. Categories, instructor information, and content details helped members understand their options, while features such as Continue Watching supported ongoing participation.
Access to support services
Trainer and expert profiles, booking flows, and membership functionality connected the digital experience to YMCA services. These areas helped members explore available support and understand how to take the next step.
Testing the product with members
We tested an interactive Figma prototype in 5 YMCA BC centres with over 30 members. After refining the design, we used online AI-moderated interviews to explore whether the same patterns held at scale.
We learned that extending access meant more than putting YMCA services online
Testing showed that bringing everything into one platform was not enough. Members needed to find something relevant, understand what to do next, and feel confident taking that step.
We simplified navigation, made the dashboard more focused, clarified booking feedback, and improved accessibility. We also shifted emphasis toward what made YMCA distinctive: its programs, instructors, expertise, and community.