Bonus for anything that integrates with Apple Health, Fitness, or Apple Watch
Easy, intuitive, purchase once :)
StongLifts
I use “Pumped” and it’s pretty great - and free.
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/pumped-workout-tracker-gym-log/id6474732457
My preferred app (Fit Notes) is Android only and doesn’t have any of the fancy features you mention.
My second favorite app (Personal Training Coach) does appear to be on Apple and has lots more features. You can pick between many popular lifting programs or setup your own. Programs can be built with progression plans and timers and can increase weight after a successful session, hold weights if you are unable to complete a progression, or reduce weight after multiple failed attempts.
Sounds perfect!
The free version is nice and easy to use, but I think you need the paid version to do custom programs. Luckily, they have a reasonably priced lifetime subscription price, unlike a lot of the apps owned by major companies.
There’s a bit of a learning curve for setting up complicated progression programs, but that’s because it has a huge amount of flexibility. For example, you can build a 4 week progression plan with heavy days and light days where the weights are all calculated on a custom scale and it will provide some recommendations, but you still have to pick all the options you want.
Strong is fantastic, especially its Watch integration.
Hevy is often touted as being better, but I don’t like it. It has a strong social media hook and I don’t want that from a fitness app. I also never tried it on Watch, if it even supports it.
Second strong especially because you can one time purchase it and not pay a damn subscription for ever
Apple Fitness+ has a custom plan thing. Not sure how good it is though.
Fitbod.
I use strengthlog, the free version is pretty complete and without ads
Boostcamp does that, and gives some access to predefined workout programs as well.
Depends on how prescriptive you want it to be. Plenty of free form types where you can log all your stuff.
If you’re looking for a program, for strength training I recommend Mark Rippetoe’s Starting Strength. They made an app for it now, too. It’s a one-time purchase, includes an interactive copy of the book, and is ad-free. I’m a fan.
