A new mobile platform, AbilityFix, is transforming aquatic fitness by providing personalized, audio-led workouts for individuals of all abilities. Founded by Perry Nixdorf, the app aims to enhance the lives of those with limited mobility, injuries, or obesity, while also catering to skilled athletes. With a mission to make aquatic exercise accessible, AbilityFix addresses the gap in existing fitness solutions that often overlook individual needs in real-world pool environments.
Nixdorf, who has extensive experience as a business owner and co-owner of a multi-purpose facility, recognized the challenges faced by individuals seeking suitable aquatic exercise. His wife, Starr Nixdorf, a certified aquatic fitness instructor, highlighted the disparity between various fitness levels in classes. “The app is a way for people, whether they’re highly mobility challenged or highly athletic, to engage in aquatic exercise,” he explains. The couple’s insights led to the creation of AbilityFix, which is dedicated to solving real problems within the aquatic fitness industry.
The app categorizes workouts into five defined ability levels, ensuring that users engage in routines tailored to their mobility and fitness capabilities. “We broke those levels down so that the person doing the exercise doesn’t need to mentally adjust the routine,” Nixdorf states. This clarity is crucial, as many existing online fitness platforms are not designed for aquatic environments, leaving users frustrated and often leading them to abandon their fitness goals.
AbilityFix begins onboarding with a quiz to assess physical abilities, recommending an appropriate starting level. If users feel the recommendation does not suit them, they can easily switch levels, promoting autonomy in their fitness journey. “You can take our word for it or explore on your own,” Nixdorf says. “That flexibility is important because confidence is everything when you’re starting.”
The app’s audio-first design sets it apart from many fitness applications. Recognizing that users may not have access to screens while exercising in water, AbilityFix allows workouts to be played through Bluetooth speakers or waterproof headsets. The instructions are structured to be followed without visual aids, making it accessible for all users. “Our vocal tracks were spoken specifically to be understood without watching,” Nixdorf adds, emphasizing the app’s adaptability.
The workouts focus on standing exercises, performed with feet on the pool floor, and incorporate flotation aids when necessary. Nixdorf highlights the importance of water resistance, explaining that the app uses a beats per minute formula to pace audio cues. This ensures that users can perform movements effectively, guided solely by audio instructions.
AbilityFix also allows caregivers, trainers, or family members to create and guide safe aquatic routines. Users can share their customized workouts and utilize reminders and goal-setting tools to maintain consistency. Starr Nixdorf’s role as an aquatic fitness instructor is vital in validating the platform; she designed the exercise catalog to include adaptable variations. “A jog for a 90-year-old doesn’t look like a jog for a 30-year-old,” Perry Nixdorf points out, emphasizing the importance of clear instructions.
Looking ahead, AbilityFix plans to integrate an AI-driven coach into its existing platform. This feature aims to facilitate continuity in users’ fitness journeys by tracking progress, encouraging regular exercise, and providing personalized feedback. “The coach will track progress, encourage consistency, answer questions, and suggest changes over time,” Nixdorf explains.
Ultimately, AbilityFix strives to empower users to exercise safely in any aquatic environment, whether at home, in community centers, or while traveling. As Nixdorf articulates, “We seek to give people back the ability to move with confidence, using water as the tool it was always meant to be.”
