Brand and web
Kim French
Challenge
Overcoming the limits of one size fits all fitness platforms for an international audience.
Kim French built an audience of millions through raw honesty, transformative workout programmes and a grounded approach to weight training. As her following expanded across both sides of the Atlantic, relying on static guides and generic workout software began holding the brand back.
Most existing tools rely on rigid templates that force international audiences into awkward workarounds, particularly when dealing with metric and imperial units. Kim's training methods also rely heavily on gym floor flexibility. If a machine is occupied or a home setup lacks specific kit, forcing a user through an unchangeable workout sequence creates immediate drop off. The community needed an adaptive training companion that felt bespoke, capable of supporting beginners picking up their first barbell as well as advanced lifters chasing progression. Kim also needed a web version to support legacy plan users.
Solution
A modular native app built for real gym environments and long term retention.
We partnered with Kim to design and engineer Believe from the ground up, placing flexibility at the centre of the experience. Pangolin sits between rigid white label software and costly ground up builds, providing Kim with an adaptive platform that evolves alongside her business without ever forcing a painful migration.
The interface prioritises frictionless gym use. Because Kim's community spans the UK, North America and Australia, we built seamless measurement toggles that convert weights, distances and body metrics between imperial and metric at a tap. To solve the issue of busy gym spaces, we engineered a custom exercise swap tool. Members can trade out movements based on available equipment, personal mobility or muscle targets without breaking the flow of their workout.
Beyond daily logging, the platform introduces time limited community challenges that drive seasonal sign ups, a dedicated educational library demystifying lifting techniques, and an integrated shop that connects the training experience directly with Kim's physical products.
Execution
Collaborative UX strategy and resilient multi platform engineering.
Developing Believe involved close collaboration across interface design, backend infrastructure and community testing. While some platforms attempt to rely entirely on automated code generation, sustainable mobile products require careful human craft, scalable database architecture and intentional user flows.
We developed the native iOS and Android applications alongside a robust backend management system that allows Kim's team to update content effortlessly. Key features delivered include:
Instant metric and imperial toggles that adapt weights, plate maths and measurements to the user's location
An intelligent exercise swap engine allowing lifters to substitute movements on the fly while preserving target muscle activation
Bespoke seasonal challenge architecture with dedicated progression tracking, leaderboards and automated community resets
A structured education hub hosting video breakdowns on form, nutrition advice and lifting principles
Integrated in app storefront linking Kim’s merchandise and digital offerings directly into member routines
Results
Rapid adoption, recurring revenue and an evolving digital home.
Believe by Kim French launched straight to the top of the health and fitness app charts, immediately converting hundreds of thousands of social followers into active subscribers. The flexibility of the swap feature and measurement controls solved the friction points that usually cause gym goers to abandon fitness software within their first month.
By giving Kim full ownership over her digital product ecosystem, the app created an ongoing, high margin revenue stream that operates independently of third party social algorithms. Believe stands as a clear example of how bespoke product strategy and human centred design help established fitness creators scale their impact across the globe.
4.9
star rating across App Stores
338k
app downloads
40+
workout programmes
