Apex Touch Display UI/UX
In 2023, our team took on the re-imagination for the Next Gen Cardio Console UI/UX Project, a collaboration between myself, Senior Director of Product & Technology Travis Vaughan, and freelance UI/UX designer Ana Karina Arreola. The initiative was part of a complete redesign of our Star Trac and StairMaster cardio lines, equipment that hadn't seen a major update in decades, conceptualized and led by Director of Product – Cardio, Ella Verhees.
Our shared focus was ensuring the user experience matched the sophistication of the new hardware design. I created the moodboard that ultimately shaped our creative direction, and from there, research into emerging UI trends guided our approach as a team: bold typography, micro-interactions, gamification elements, neomorphism styling, and the introduction of dark mode. Together, we pushed beyond dated iconography into minimal, trend-forward visuals, layered with dynamic color palettes, abstract backgrounds, and improved menu flow that gave the console a fresh, tactile feel.
We presented three distinct design concepts, each expressed through the most critical user flows: Main Menu, Quick Start Workout, and Build A Workout. Working in Figma and Jira, we iterated weekly as a team, aligning on details, critiquing, and refining. As the concept matured, it was handed off to Ella, who perfected it alongside the tech team for final launch.
The result: a console experience that feels intuitive, modern, and aligned with the digital habits users already know from their phones and tablets. Our favorite outcome? Asymmetrical layouts with a striking dark mode option, bringing both longevity and elegance to the design.
Challenge
Cardio consoles hadn't been updated in years. Functionality was outdated, icons felt tired, and the user journey lacked flow. With the launch of the new equipment line, we needed a modern UI/UX system that felt intuitive, trend-forward, and worthy of the redesigned machines.
Approach
We researched leading UI/UX trends and, building from the moodboard I created, defined a creative direction that emphasized:
Bold typography — strategic, confident, legible
Micro-interactions — elevating the user journey beyond static buttons
Gamification — weaving motivation into the workout experience
Neomorphism — blending digital and tactile design with gradients, shadows, and highlights
Minimal, modern icons — custom or curated for longevity
Dark mode — sleek, futuristic, user-preferred
Color palettes — natural tones, soft pastels, and striking contrasts
Meanwhile, the Product Team ensured programming, content, and functionality improvements aligned with their vision and goals.
Execution
Working in Figma with project management in Jira, we held weekly critique sessions to refine and align. I guided the creative vision while the team kept UX principles at the forefront, balancing aesthetics with usability. Once the direction was locked, Ella carried the concept across the finish line, refining it with the tech team through final launch.
Results
The Apex Touch Display launched with a modern, intuitive interface that feels familiar yet elevated. Users can navigate as they would on their phones or tablets, while experiencing a workout environment that is fresh, motivating, and immersive.
Our favorite outcome? The asymmetrical layouts paired with options like dark mode, creating a console experience that feels as premium as the equipment itself.
Creative Direction: Leslie Marois
Sr. Director Product & Technology: Travis Vaughan
Director of Product – Cardio: Ella Verhees
UX/UI Design: Ana Karina Arreola