GymBook ・ Strength Training

This is the best non-subscription app I’ve used, great for DC/bodybuilding training. Obviously created by devs who actually see gym time. Just a few tweaks would make it completely perfect. A few improvements I’d like to see: -since scrolling through the pounds/kilos is done at the bottom of the screen, sometimes my phone thinks I’m trying to switch between apps (iPhone 12, if that is helpful). VERY annoying. If the weight wheel could be moved up just a tad, this problem could be fixed. -full-screen timer would be nice so I don’t have to switch between apps. -need a way to edit what reps I did after I close a workout. I did a 20-rep widowmaker leg press yesterday, but accidentally marked it as 8 reps and didn’t realize my goof until today. I couldn’t find a way to edit my workout to claim the whole 20. Looks like I was being a slacker lol. Again, great job devs! UPDATE: The app developer replied with a way to edit/revise number of reps. A very handy and welcome feature! Dev also pointed out the presence of a full screen timer. While it’s a nice feature, it’s not as robust as the 1timer app I use which vocally sounds off the remaining seconds. If Gymbook can find a way to incorporate a way for Siri to countdown, or even collaborate with the 1timer dev, this would be the hands-down perfect gym app. By the way, after I wrote my last review I questioned myself why I hadn’t rewarded the dev for such an amazing job. I promptly dropped the $8 for the full version.

There are tons of workout tracker apps these days, and most of them require a monthly subscription fee of $5+/month. To be honest, I’m pretty sure the cheapest I found during my search was $10/month. At any rate, this app is free, but if you want to unlock all the features, it’s just $5 ONE TIME. You can unlock specific features for less than that btw. I used the free version for a few weeks and it was good. I loved that I could add an unlimited number of exercises and workouts, and that I could just use my Apple Watch during the workout. I unfortunately couldn’t get the timer alarm to work on the free version for some reason. While I worked with tech support on the issue, I decided that regardless, I like the app and wanted to support them, so I upgraded to the full version (again, just $5 one time). The notable impacts that had for me was adding some pre-made movements and (the big one for me) unlocking auto start timer. Now I’m able to log my lift after each set and once I log it, the timer auto starts. Lucky for me, this fixed my issues with the timer. Now it does everything I wanted out of the app, and i don’t have to keep spending money on it! There are other features that come with the upgrade, but they aren’t coming to me at the moment. Their website spells it out well, so check it out. Anyways, collectively, this is by far the best value workout app for my needs I’ve found and I definitely recommend it.

Short version: just download it already and pay the $5. You won’t regret it. Best money I’ve spent on my workouts since I bought my Alpha Grips. Long version: I’m a fairly experienced lifter who doesn’t need to be told or shown how to do a workout or an exercise. I have my own plans I do and most of the workouts available on the App Store don’t do what I want them to do. This one is perfect. I’ve tried all the current gym log apps out there. BodySpace, FitList, Gymatic, Gymaholic, and several others not worth mentioning. BodySpace is great, but no Apple Watch support. FitList is great except you have to uninstall and reinstall every month or so when it stops syncing to your watch and you lose all your data, even if you’ve paid for premium. And the other two are way too expensive. I used an app called GymBuddy way back when on the first gen iPhone and it was terrific, but unfortunately it’s no longer supported or updated. GymBook is similar to that in that you can add your own exercises, make custom workouts, and it doesn’t get in your way with trying to show or tell you what to do. This app works seamlessly with the Apple Watch for logging, tracks your workouts to Apple health so you close your rings, and for $5????? Hell yeah I’ll take it! I’d give 10 stars if I could.