Strength Training & Workout Logging

The single most-asked-for fitness app: a clean way to log sets, reps, and weight at the gym. Decision tree: do you want a polished iOS app (Strong, Hevy), a free Android classic (FitNotes), or FOSS / self-hosted (Wger)?

Sister sections: Self-Hosted Personal Apps for habits / journals; BLE & Bluetooth IoT for chest straps / smart scales; Notes & Wiki for old-school spreadsheet-in-Obsidian lifters; AI / LLM Self-Host for AI coaching prompts; Health Aggregation (GadgetBridge) for syncing watch workouts.

The default picks (hosted)

• ★ ★ Strong — iOS / Android / web; the most-recommended lifter app for years; clean UX; rest timer; plate calculator; freemium (up to 4 workouts free, paid for unlimited templates / Apple Health sync). The "just give me the answer" 2026 default.
  • https://www.strong.app/
• ★ Hevy — iOS / Android; faster-iterating Strong competitor; freemium; nice routine sharing; Apple Health / Health Connect sync.
  • https://www.hevyapp.com/
• JEFIT — older, ad-supported free + paid; large exercise database; community plans.
• Caliber — paid; coaching-first; AI-flavored programming.
• Liftoff — paid + free; programming-focused; nSuns / 5/3/1 templates.
• BoostCamp — paid + free; pre-built programs from named coaches (Jeff Nippard, Greg Doucette).

The Android classic (free)

• ★ ★ FitNotes — Android only; completely free, no ads, no account; spreadsheet-fast logging; CSV export; the Reddit /r/fitness perennial. The "I just want to log lifts" answer if you live in Android.
  • https://www.fitnotesapp.com/

FOSS / self-hosted

• ★ ★ Wger Workout Manager — Python/Django; self-host or use the free hosted instance; workouts + nutrition + body weight; REST API; mobile companion app (Android FOSS). The free-tier nerd's default.
  • https://github.com/wger-project/wger
• OpenScale — FOSS Android; covered separately under Smart Scales & Body Comp; pairs with Wger for body-weight tracking.
• GymRoutines (KalibreApp) — FOSS Android; lighter than Wger; routine-focused.
• Feeel — FOSS Android; bodyweight / HIIT–style timer.

Programming templates (free)

You don't need a paid app to run a proven program. Drop these into Strong / Hevy / FitNotes / Wger:

• ★ Stronger by Science free templates — Greg Nuckols' RTF programs; spreadsheet + PDF.
  • https://www.strongerbyscience.com/program-bundle/
• ★ 5/3/1 (Jim Wendler) — book-driven; one of the most copied programs ever.
• ★ GZCLP — popular novice→intermediate program; well-documented on /r/Fitness wiki.
• nSuns 531 LP — high-volume linear progression; spreadsheet-first.
• Starting Strength (SS) — classic novice; book; barbell-focused.
• PPL (Push/Pull/Legs) — /r/Fitness wiki PPL; 6 days/week classic.

Hypertrophy-specific paid apps

• ★ RP Hypertrophy (Renaissance Periodization) — paid; auto-regulating volume; Mike Israetel's brand; the "I want a coach in my pocket" pick if you can stomach the subscription.
• Fitbod — paid + free; AI picks exercises based on muscle recovery; covered also under AI Coaching.
• Caliber — paid coaching + AI hybrid.
• Future — paid 1:1 human coach via app.

Bodyweight / calisthenics

• Madbarz — paid + free; bodyweight programs.
• Caliber Calisthenics — bodyweight tracks within Caliber.
• Recroid / FitLoop — small Android FOSS bodyweight loggers.
• Feeel (mentioned above) — FOSS HIIT.

Why pick one over another

• Lifter who just wants to log lifts on iOS: Strong (★).
• Lifter who wants free + iOS or Android: Hevy free tier or FitNotes (Android only).
• Privacy-first, owns their data: Wger (★) self-hosted.
• Wants a programmed plan written for them: RP Hypertrophy or BoostCamp or just print Stronger by Science.
• Wants AI to pick exercises: Fitbod (see AI Coaching).
• Calisthenics / bodyweight only: Madbarz / Feeel.

Cost / license honesty

• Strong — freemium, paid sub ~$5/mo or one-time lifetime tier.
• Hevy — freemium, paid sub ~$4/mo.
• FitNotes — completely free, no ads, no account. (One-time donation supported.) Android only.
• Wger — AGPL-3.0 FOSS, free hosted instance or self-host.
• RP Hypertrophy — ~$25/mo or annual; the most expensive in the category.
• JEFIT — free with ads, paid Pro tier.

Pick this if…

• iOS lifter, want polish: Strong.
• Android lifter, want free forever: FitNotes.
• Either platform, want freemium + sharing: Hevy.
• Want to own your data / FOSS: Wger (self-host or free hosted).
• Want a coach baked in: RP Hypertrophy or BoostCamp.
• Want a free written program, not an app: Stronger by Science or 5/3/1.