Ask HN: Review My Startup: Skinnyo - Weight loss challenge community

Clickable: http://skinnyo.com

I really like the design, it's very clean and looks highly polished. Also I like the fast signup process. Business models might be a tricky one here. Can't think of one atm.

Business model suggestion:

Sponsored Competitions by gyms/weightloss companies.

Hypothetical situation:

Virgin Active looks 5kg Challenge: Any one who passes the challenge gets 50% off membership dues.

Affiliate advertising: It is simply straight forward :)

Goodluck man!

Let me know when you launch 'MuscleV' ;)

A simple business model that would be coherent with your current users would be let them mention what they do to loose weight, identify commercial elements (not just weight-loss powder, but also say, iTunes apps, or a organic walnut producer) to sell mentions, or better coupons to groups that pledge to follow a similar regimen. That way, you can have not only friends, but stranger who use the same technique to help you out.

Sponsoring would be a good idea if you fail to identify anything relevant automatically: let the users name a product that they use to loose weight, and associate their gains to it.

I'm not sure how competitive you want this too be (hopefully, not too much) but you might also encourage treats to your members. Let them tell they friends (on Facebook/twitter) about it, and their friends pledge a present if they reach certain goals and get a recommendation fee from those merchants. Maybe consider a two- or three-sided gift not too punish and burden too much those who failed: a trip to Paris below a certain threshold, a wine & walk tour of California below a higher threshold, and a sweat-your pants off in a Cheyenne lodge otherwise.

RE: "sustainable growth"

Consider what features you might need in order to keep current members as long term members. The problem with the focus on weight loss is that people will fall into one of two categories: 1) Yo-yo dieters who will keep coming back to lose the weight again or 2) People who make real changes to their lives, lose the weight and keep it off. Your current configuration most likely has long term appeal only for group one. In the long run, this could smack of failure in terms of the big picture: Do you really want to be known as the site that actively encourages people to regain the weight/be yo-yo dieters so they can come back (and line your pockets some more)?

Think on what "challenges" you can introduce to keep the actual successful people around and contributing members of the community. This might be stuff like "has kept it off for x period of time and counting". They could get kudos of some sort and held up as good examples for the rest of the community. It could differentiate into fitness challenges -- run that 5K, move on to a marathon (or whatever).

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Some sort of premium paid membership for extra access/privileges? Maybe how-to videos or a mail-order DVD?

Limit the amount of certain functions to non-paid members. They are only allowed X type actions per day/week/month etc.

I also had a Groupon like idea, but not sure how you would implement that. For instance, if several friends are doing a weight-loss challenge, if they collectively lose Y lbs within a specific time period, something is unlocked or given. Maybe make this a premium-only membership.

You could also have page for healthy foods/supplements that link to amazon's affiliate program.

At this point, what with the cornucopia of social fitness platforms, I'd like to know what makes your product different and better.

I'm slowly developing a tough skin against platforms like these, but I'm still vaguely interested, because no one seems to have done it well yet (they all just seem to join in for the hell of it).

The fact that you even use a .com and non-cute name already puts you ahead of most people.

At a glance, I like it. Hard to compete with Traineo and SparkPeople though. Maybe if you carved off different niches of weight loss with sub-micro sites, with things like "losing the baby weight" or "people over 400 pounds" etc.

You might want to jump on the Tim Ferriss "Four Hour Body" bandwagon and milk related topics like the kettlebell swing.

I had a related idea that I doubt I'll develop. Sort of a cross between this and Kickstarter where a user could sign up and their friends could "bet" them that they can't reach a goal weight.

Big fan. Been using it for a few weeks. Really enjoy the competitive aspects (challenges, badges etc.) - good for the motivation.

Not sure if this is a reasonable business model but I'd certainly pay for an iPhone app..

Perhaps premium features? Admittedly I can't think of anything off the top of my head..

I like it, first look is great! Maybe you could partner up with some Youtubers, there's a couple that do weekly or almost daily workout videos. You could sell a personalized trainer which makes instructions just for you, then split the money with the trainers.

The standard businessmodel for weightloss sites is this: offer a "risk-free trial". It sounds free, but they get charged from day 1, unless they cancel. Assume the average user will pay for 3 to 4 months. Charge more than your customer acquisition cost.

You may not want to go there and get creative with other options.

You are on something. I really like it.

Read "4 hour body" by Tim Ferriss and build a lot of the site around the buzz of this book.

Communicate stronger in "Fat loss" and less "Weight loss"

Also introduce "TI" (total inches - sum of body measures)

Also introduce Bodyfat % and auto calculate the actual fatloss.

This looks very nice, this is something me and my college friends have been looking to do, challenge each other in weight loss. Maybe you should look into doing some marketing towards college students? Motivate them to get rid of that freshman 15.

I found a video of this that helps show the site a bit better for those who have not signed up yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efp1N4qOFyw

You can spell 'Recipes' correctly at the bottom of the page

I'd like to see an example of the site (example account, video, etc) before having to join. Just previewing the 1 page doesn't compel me.