How Fitness Influencer Linn Lowes of Athli App Built a Thriving Online Community
Lowes, a popular Swedish fitness influencer, leverages the power of data and personal connection to grow her workout app
Linn Lowes, a Swedish fitness influencer, is a cancer survivor who has millions of inspired followers on social media platforms. Lowes founded the Athli App to encourage her followers to develop a healthier relationship between fitness, nutrition, and wellness.
Lowes grew up in Sweden, where her active lifestyle began early. “As we have a lot of snow during the winter in Sweden, it was almost obvious to me to start snowboarding,” she told ATN. Snowboarding then set the stage for her fitness journey in the gym around 2012. “I saw that all the hard work was starting to pay off. I have always been skinny and had a hard time gaining weight, so I was happy about the results. I realized how everything is connected: what you eat, how you train, how much you rest.”
In 2014, Lowes received a life-changing diagnosis of Lymphoma. “I kicked its ass, and I came back, skinnier and weaker, but that did not stop me. I decided to get my Personal Trainer License and took diet classes to consult in Nutrition. After this, I started my business by helping others take control of their life, health, and happiness.”
Lowes recognized that to grow her business, it was important to use technology strategically. She created the Athli App, owned by Appex Group, Inc. Lowes wanted to target all audiences, from beginners to experienced athletes. “Athli has features that even advanced gym goers can benefit from, such as programming and scheduling their own workouts,” Linn explained.
Athli App offers workout plans for both the gym and home, with more than 20 customizable workout programs. It also has more than 7,000 recipes, including vegan and vegetarian options. Lowes is one of four female trainers on the app.
Ben Katz, the General Manager of Health & Fitness at Appex Group, also called out the importance of hands-on experiences and a data-driven approach to building apps. “In today’s technology businesses there is an abundance of data so you can quickly learn what’s working, what’s not, and make changes accordingly,” Katz told ATN. “By being willing to try new things and following the data you’re quickly able to determine whether your strategy is working.”
The landscape of health and wellness technology is vast and varied. Katz describes it as a “hub & spoke ecosystem” with health trackers at the center, branching out to encompass workouts, nutrition, and general wellness. “Some of my favorite Health & Fitness technologies are Whoop, Garmin watches, FitnessAI, Strava, and Zwift,” he shared, highlighting the importance of tools that provide actionable insights.
To grow an online community, Lowes noted the importance of presence and engagement. “Use your voice and be present even if you’re not there in real life,” she said. “Voiceovers are super important, so the user feels like I am there with them during their workout and beyond.”