Best Weightlifting Apps in 2024 Athlete Picks + Complete List
The ability to log workouts is probably the most important feature for anyone lifting weights. Being able to track your progress will definitely help with motivation and make your training more effective. If you’re searching for any sort of fitness app, you’ll notice there are free and paid options.
The app’s video library serves as a virtual coach, helping users refine their technique and improve training outcomes. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced lifter, this feature guarantees that every rep contributes meaningfully to your muscle-building goals. Mastering exercise form is critical for muscle hypertrophy, and StrengthLab360 excels by offering video demonstrations from seasoned trainers. is mad muscle worth it These videos break down complex lifts like squats and deadlifts, providing athletes with clear guidance to execute each movement with precision.
FAQs About Workout Apps for Women
And you can trust us—we’re a group of industry experts, including certified personal trainers, Olympic-level athletes, and nutrition coaches. The app’s ability to compare previous performance metrics with current data allows athletes to make informed decisions about their training strategies. By identifying trends in muscle growth and pinpointing which exercises deliver the best results, users can refine their routines to maximize effectiveness. This personalized approach ensures that every workout is a purposeful step towards achieving their hypertrophy goals. Virtual trainers in strength training apps are a game-changer for athletes looking to perfect their exercise technique.
Best Weightlifting Apps
A free tracker is fine if you already know how to programme your own training. But if you want personalised programming, coaching support, and intelligent progression, paid apps deliver significantly more value. The cost of a good strength app is typically less than a single session with a personal trainer. The Pro version allows you to track your effort using RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) or RIR (Reps in Reserve), and the app uses this data to automatically adjust your weights and reps for the next session. This removes the guesswork from progressive overload and ensures you are consistently challenging your muscles.
Is there an app that lets you build your own workout?
The weights can be pretty conservative in the beginning, but FitBod is another app that will learn and develop with you over time. RP Strength or Volt Athletics—these give the most customizable, high-tech experience. Texas Method or Madcow 5×5—each helps intermediates break through plateaus with weekly progress.
Budget & Support
The app supports both gym and home workouts, tailoring routines to the equipment you have. It targets all major muscle groups with focused sessions for back, chest, arms, legs and core. Beginners benefit from guided development, while experienced lifters can push further using built-in progressive overload. I’ll admit that I have a soft spot for BodBot because it’s the app that I personally use for my own strength training routine. The app might not look as slick as the other four on this list, but holy biceps do they have an abundance of free exercises, complete with video tutorials on how to do each movement. BodBot is excellent for beginners because the app—yes, even the free version—creates a custom plan for your fitness goals.
Rest Between Sets: Hypertrophy and Strength Training Rest Intervals
- In fact, it won’t cost you anything—the entire platform and exercise library of Nike Training Club is completely free and has been since 2020.
- This personalized coaching experience is vital for athletes committed to optimizing their strength training routine and achieving significant hypertrophy results.
- We’ve tested each app’s ability to handle compound lifts, calculate training volume, manage progressive overload, and provide actionable strength metrics.
- Resistance bands are the second most-useful tool in any home gym, second to dumbbells, but much easier to store.
- The Pro version adds a Trainer feature that creates custom plans based on your goals, experience, and equipment.
- On sign-up, you’ll find several filters to tap through, including workout duration, equipment, current fitness level, and the muscles you want to target during your workout.
That said, picking up a dumbbell in the gym and your weekly food shop counts as weightlifting, too. Most bodybuilding apps let you log sets, reps, and weights, making it easy to spot plateaus, celebrate PBs, and stay on track. Some even use AI or analytics to recommend when to increase your load or adjust your split. For lifters who want precision, structure and measurable results from every session, Burn.Fit stands out as one of the smartest weightlifting tracking apps available today. MyFitnessPal is one of the most popular nutrition apps in the world, with over 200 million users.
Lauren Strong, CPT
If you’re looking to get the most out of a weightlifting app, then Future is the program for you. Future pairs you with a real personal trainer based on your preferences and your goals. With Future’s app, you’re in the driver’s seat and your coach is a real person who works to hold you accountable to your goals.
The 7 best strength training apps for women, tested by us in 2025
Otherwise known as progressive overload, to get stronger or build muscle, you’ll need to make your workouts harder so your body is forced to adapt to the stressor. You’ll need to have some knowledge of the activity to start with and know how to use free weights and gym equipment to safely and effectively use the app. If you’ve already been going to the gym for a few years or are looking to move away from in-person personal training sessions and plan your own workouts, this could be the app for you. While there are form demonstrations available to help with technique, there are no follow-along video workouts available. Fitness journeys are often more successful with support and motivation from like-minded individuals.
Gymverse: AI Gym Workout Plans
For example, I wasn’t able to connect my best Garmin watch to the SWEAT app. Our weekly newsletter is expertly crafted to immerse you in the world of streaming. Stay updated on the latest releases and our top recommendations across your favorite streaming platforms. StrongLifts 5×5 focuses on a simple yet effective program that centers on compound lifts, making it a great choice for beginners looking to develop strength quickly. There’s a pretty robust set of workouts created by Hevy and the community for you to try out, with all of them clearly labelled to discern the kind of workout. 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.
This gives you personalised fitness without needing to hire a full time personal trainer. Studies on m-health tools suggest fitness apps work best when they combine goal setting, feedback, activity tracking and behavioural support rather than only serving workout videos. Our app allows you to track steps, sleep and water, log session data and monitor progress through a built in activity and journey tracker. Research on mobile training apps shows that, compared with “do it yourself” exercise, guided workout apps can increase physical activity, improve adherence and support healthier lifestyles over several months. That is why choosing the best workout app, rather than just any app, matters for your long term health and fitness.
Do any workout apps actually work?
While apps can certainly make life easier, it’s important not to become too reliant. GGR chief medical advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, offers a word of caution on this topic. “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.
