There is also a section for ‘helpful tips’ that includes videos about how to start and what to expect. Then there is a place to schedule live sessions, a place to track your progress, and a settings tab where you can update your coverage or change your provider,” she says. As for the app itself, it earned a total score of 4.23 after being tested by Kate Meier, certified personal trainer and GGR head of content.
Day 10: Full Body
He focused his efforts on the highly popular Weightlifting Male 2.0 Program (there’s also a comparable program for women with volume and intensity adjustments). Although he rated Fitbod a 4 out of 5 for ease of use, Caine raised some minor concerns about the accuracy of the workouts generated by the platform. Even if you opt for the Pro version, Boostcamp is still more affordable than the average workout app. If you need better instruction and accountability but don’t want to spend $200 a month on something like Caliber or Future, consider the budget-friendly Shred App, which only costs $10 per month. Future is significantly more expensive than the average app, but you also receive high-level coaching for your investment. Several members of the Garage Gym Reviews crew have used Future over the years, including our founder, Cooper Mitchell.
- Caliber’s free tier delivers structured, video-guided strength programs at no cost — a feature combination that rivals paid apps charging $10–$15 per month.
- The apps on this list represent the ones that fast-tracked strength and performance gains, were user-friendly, and really delivered on the user experience, and kept us returning to our workout plan.
- Muscle Booster is our choice for the best beginner-friendly weightlifting app because it puts an emphasis on progressive overload and, according to our tester, is easy to use from a functionality standpoint.
- With the paid version, you’ll also get an ad-free version and access to more drinks for tracking within the app.
- GGR Senior Staff Writer Caine Wilkes, OLY, CNC, USAW-L1, rates Hevy a 4 out of 5 for workout variety, noting that you can add or create your own routines and custom exercises.
- We provide the insights you need to choose the right tool to build a stronger, more muscular physique with confidence and precision.
Its core philosophy revolves around evidence-based practices, ensuring your program aligns with scientifically proven methods for gaining muscle. The app also emphasizes concepts like effective reps to ensure every set contributes maximally to your goals, a topic critical for serious lifters. To dive deeper into the science, you can explore this guide on hypertrophy. Hevy combines a powerful, clean workout tracker with engaging social features, making it a standout choice for those who find motivation in community. It offers one of the most generous free tiers available, providing unlimited workout logging without ads, a rare find in the fitness app space. This makes it an excellent entry point for new lifters and a robust tool for experienced athletes.
Fitness Guides
The core app, with all essential tracking and AI workout coach planning features, is completely free without ads. An optional paid tier unlocks advanced tools like RPE/RIR tracking and health data synchronization. Unlike many competitors that lock essential tools behind subscriptions or clutter the screen with ads, Strive provides its core functionality entirely for free. This includes unlimited custom routines and exercises, detailed performance charts, and crucial progressive overload tools like next-session targets and deload markers. This saves a lot of time, allowing you more space to do your workout rather than fiddle with the app. If you’re looking to train at home or in the gym, using one of the best workout apps can help you access motivational, qualified personal trainers in just a few taps.
Best For Lifters: Metric VBT
I personally opted for the annual Pro Plan, since it’s 50% cheaper than the monthly Pro Plan. I’m not always excited to sit down and write a review about something. But I need to tell you I am PUMPED (quite literally, as I just finished my Ladder arm workout) to write this Ladder app review. I had a burst of inspiration post-Ladder workout (funny how exercise and endorphins do that to you) and had to type out my thoughts on this awesome fitness app. If you need help training for a race, look no further than the Nike Run Club app. This free app has plans for all distances, from total beginners looking to run their first 5K to marathoners.
Equipment Demands
If you don’t plan to compete in Olympic lifting, Fitbod can be a more diverse, mobile-friendly option you may want to consider. Considering the complicated nature of the clean and jerk and snatch exercises, executing these movements with correct form is critical. Luckily, Torokhtiy offers great instruction, earning a rock-solid 4-out-of-5 rating in the category. Having competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Caine wasted no time trying out a fellow Olympian’s training program.
There are meditations, some led by Hemsworth himself, designed to connect you mind and body, and that can improve your focus and form during the strength training sessions to get the most from your workouts. We’ve done the hard work for you by putting these fitness apps to the test, joining strength training sessions, yoga classes, and high-intensity routines over several weeks. A month of weekly personal training sessions can cost about a few hundred dollars, depending on your trainer’s rates. The higher end of workout and lifting apps comes in at about $200 per month, meaning most apps will be cheaper than an in-person trainer.
Have questions or ready to flex your goals? Contact us today!
Higher ratings require well-devised programs that reliably produce gains over time. Whether you want to crank out an upper chest workout or take your triceps to the next level with the Tate press, you want to know exactly what to do. We carefully assess the clarity of the instructions provided, with a 3-out-of-5 rating reflecting adequate visual and verbal instructions that you can follow along confidently. Apps that go above and beyond by providing cues for rest, equipment changes, or tailored guidance earn higher scores. Caine had a few callouts about Hevy, particularly in terms of accountability. He rated it the lowest possible score (1 out of 5) in this category.
Are strength training apps suitable for beginners?
Apps that are ultra-simple to set up and get running in less than five minutes earn top marks. Confusing installation processes, unclear navigation, or frustrating errors can result in lower scores. “I’d mostly recommend this program and others from Torokhtiy to weightlifters who are still relatively new and not quite lifting to their full strength,” Caine explains. Hevy is extremely affordable compared to the average app, as the annual subscription cost is less than the average monthly subscription.
How is APS different from other workout apps?
Whether you prioritize customized workouts, community support, or comprehensive tracking, there’s an app that fits your needs. Make sure that the strength app you’re looking at can provide you with workouts suitable for the equipment you have available. “Dumbbells are a great choice for beginners because they’re relatively easy to handle and can be used for a variety of exercises that target different muscle groups,” Mohr explains. A score of 3 out of 5 means the app provides programs that work if followed, but may lack full optimization for long-term improvement.
Navigating the crowded market of fitness apps can feel as challenging as hitting a new personal record. We’ve explored a dozen of the best muscle building apps, each offering a unique approach to strength training. From AI-driven platforms like JuggernautAI and Dr. Muscle that act as a digital coach, to community-centric hubs like Hevy and Boostcamp that connect you with fellow lifters, the options are vast and varied. Strong is a favorite among lifters who prioritize a clean, fast, and no-nonsense approach to workout logging. It strips away the complexities of AI coaching and social feeds, focusing instead on providing an exceptionally efficient tool for tracking your training. When choosing a strength training app, consider features such as personalized workout plans, instructional videos, progress tracking, community support, and user-friendly design.
Coaching & Wellness: Expand What Health Means
The BodyFit app delivers the chosen training plan directly to your device, allowing you to track weights, sets, and reps in the gym. The platform is built around its content library, which is easy to navigate and filter by goal, experience level, or trainer. While not as technologically adaptive as AI-driven apps, its integration with nutrition advice and its store creates a comprehensive fitness hub. Combining these robust plans with a solid nutrition strategy is crucial, and you can learn more about workout nutrition timing to maximize your results.
Guide to Protein Powder: Scoop the 411 From an RD
While advanced features and AI coaching are impressive, the fundamental driver of muscle growth is consistent, progressive overload. This principle requires you to meticulously track your workouts and systematically increase the demand placed on your muscles over time. The best tool for this job is often the one that makes this core task as simple and efficient as possible. After sessions, you provide feedback on your Readiness to Perform (RPE), and the AI adjusts your next workouts accordingly. This ensures your training volume and intensity are always optimized for progressive overload without leading to overtraining.