Interview with Dennis Cheng - Founder of Snap Fit

The Future Proof Hub is delighted to interview Dennis Cheng - the Founder of Snap Fit: Diet, Fitness, & Mind. Snap Fit have developed an AI-powered health companion app that tracks your diet, fitness, and emotional well-being.

We had the opportunity to try out the app and discuss Dennis' entrepreneurship journey.

Please download and try the app here.

Snap Fit track Health, diet, and fitness goals in one app.

Q: Please share with us your background and what inspired you to create Snap Fit.

A: As a personal trainer with 8+ years owning a gym and 4 years in e-commerce, I saw firsthand how challenging it was for people to track their food and maintain a healthy lifestyle. That's what inspired me to create Snap Fit – to make healthy living easier and more accessible.

Q: What are the key features or main selling points of the Snap Fit app?

A: Snap Fit uniquely combines mindfulness, fitness, and diet in one user-friendly app. Simply snap a photo of your meal to get instant nutritional information. Plus, our AI provides personalized food recommendations based on your preferences and even your mood, helping you achieve your wellness goals while enjoying what you eat. We also offer AI-powered, customized workout plans based on available equipment.

Q: Did you work with external vendors to build the Snap Fit app or developed in-house?

A: We started with external vendors, but development is now entirely in-house.

Q: What were some of the challenges in building the app to ensure your vision of it was executed properly?

A: The biggest challenge was ensuring the app catered to individual needs. We overcame this by conducting extensive user testing with a diverse group, gathering valuable feedback to refine the app based on real-world experiences.

Q: What is the target demographic of the app?

A: Snap Fit is designed for health-conscious individuals in Hong Kong, primarily aged 20-60, who are actively seeking a healthier lifestyle and body. We aim to empower all Hong Kong citizens to take control of their health and wellness journeys."

Q: Having used the app, I found some of the features very interesting. 

For instance, being able to not just identify nearby restaurants based on the users location but to also display food options, pricing as well as the nutrition of each dish was very useful. How were you able to compile the nutrition breakdown of so many dishes and able to keep food options up to date with restaurants?

A: We maintain our own dedicated database and conduct weekly research to ensure the accuracy of our food information. We're also actively building partnerships with restaurants to keep their information current and drive more business their way.

Food nutrition is easily located with the 'Capture Your Food' option.

Q: We also tried the 'Capture Your Food' option across a number of dishes such as a banana, garlic naan bread, chicken noodle soup and french fries and saw it came back with accurate descriptions and nutrition data. What kind of tech are you using to recognise from camera the foods and how do you source the nutrition data for each food item?

A: Snap Fit's unique accuracy comes from combining AI with our extensive food database. My experience as a personal trainer ensures we deliver the right information, tailored to users' needs, for a truly personalized experience.

Q: The customised body part workout suggestions were very useful and reflects the ability to get quick tips based on your location and equipment available. 

How do you recommend users use the app to get the most out if it? For example, tracking your daily activity and calories burnt but encouraging users to expand this to encourage them to actually exercise and recording their food may require discipline from the user. Any suggestions for users to get into good habit of updating and using the app?

A: To maximize results, start by tracking one key habit, like meals. Set achievable goals and celebrate your progress. We've streamlined the app and integrated it with other tools to make it easy. Most importantly, focus on overall well-being and a positive mindset.

Q: Any future upgrade or other plans for Snap Fit in the future?

A: Snap Fit is constantly evolving to make healthy living even easier! Soon, you'll be able to edit analyses, quickly search for foods, sync with exercise trackers, and integrate mindfulness practices. We're committed to making Snap Fit the most user-friendly and comprehensive health app.

Q: Where do you see the future of fitness and diet applications especially now with increasing use of AI?

A: AI will drive hyper-personalized, proactive, and integrated fitness/diet apps. Expect tailored plans, predictive insights, immersive experiences, and a focus on mental wellness, but ethical considerations around data and bias are key.

Tracking progress is made easy with Snap Fit.

Q: Any advice for young people in terms of getting into good fitness and diet routines and integrating technology (such as your app) into the routine?

A: Start small, define your "why," and use technology (like a health app) smartly to track progress and stay motivated. Focus on building sustainable habits you enjoy, prioritize mental well-being, and seek support. Be consistent and patient – it's a journey!

Thanks to Dennis for taking the time to be interviewed by us.