ClimbUp
ClimbUp is a mobile app designed to support climbers in their personal progression through structured training, performance tracking, and community connection. Born from the insight that many climbers feel lost without a coach or plan, ClimbUp bridges the gap between casual climbing and intentional growth. With personalized routines, habit tracking, and partner-matching features, the app empowers users to train with clarity and climb with confidence — all in a clean, minimal, and human-centered experience.
The problem
Climbers often struggle to structure their training, track their progress, and stay motivated — especially without a coach or clear plan. Most available tools are too generic (fitness apps) or too specialized (elite-focused), and they lack a human, community-centered approach.
The solution
ClimbUp is a mobile application that helps climbers build structured training habits, visualize their progress, and connect with a like-minded community. It was designed to address the common gaps in current climbing experiences: lack of guidance, poor progress tracking, and limited social connection. The solution aims to be inclusive, motivational, and empowering for climbers of all levels — from total beginners to seasoned indoor boulderers.
01 Research
Climbing without structure: Progression is a challenge for most climbers
Hour-long interviews were conducted with 6 climbers (3 men, 2 women, 1 non-binary) between the ages of 21–42, all actively practicing bouldering or sport climbing (indoor and outdoor). Participants varied in experience, from beginners to advanced, and practiced in urban gyms across France and Germany. The research aimed to understand habits around training, community interaction, and self-perceived progress. I structured my interview script around five key areas:
Competitor Analysis
02 Synthesis
A deep need for structure, community & non-judgmental support
Four themes clearly emerged from the research around the emotional and behavioral patterns of climbers. Most participants expressed a desire to improve, but felt lost or overwhelmed when trying to structure their own training. They also highlighted a need for motivation, emotional support, and a sense of belonging within the climbing space. Climbers didn’t just want to track performance — they wanted guidance, progress they could feel, and a space to connect without pressure or comparison. Secondly, participants emphasized that climbing is often a social ritual, yet many felt isolated — especially beginners, women, and queer individuals. The fear of being judged or not “good enough” was a recurring blocker. Finally, users expressed frustration with apps being either too technical, too “elite”, or too fitness-focused — with no emotional or motivational scaffolding.
03 Ideation
Exploration of Ideas: How I arrived at ClimbUp
Understanding the flow of ClimbUp
I visualized how a user might interact with the app across their first few sessions, focusing on clarity and momentum. This storyboard helped me define onboarding, micro-rewards, and flow priorities, while removing features that caused friction (e.g. complicated analytics or over-structured logs).
04 Userflow
Userflow : Create and follow a personalized training plan
05 Design