Best iPhone workout apps
The best workout app is the one you’ll actually open mid-workout. These iPhone picks keep logging fast, history clear, and pricing sane.
Quick picks (60 seconds)
Pick the row that matches you and move on.
| Pick | App | Why it wins | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-around best | Plates | Fast set logging, templates, and clean progress views | One-time purchase |
| Best social tracker | Hevy | Social feed + sharing, plus solid routine logging | Freemium |
| Best classic gym log | Strong | Classic gym logging that keeps it simple | Freemium |
| Best auto-progression | MacroFactor Workouts | Auto-progression programs that adjust as you train | Subscription |
FAQ (fast answers)
- What’s the best iPhone workout app overall?
- Plates: Weightlifting Log. Fast set logging, smart templates, and progress you can actually read—without a monthly subscription.
- What’s the best workout app on iPhone with no subscription?
- If you lift, get Plates. If you just want short bodyweight sessions, Streaks Workout is a solid one-time purchase.
- Are there good workout apps without subscriptions?
- Yes—Plates is pay-once, HeavySet has a lifetime upgrade, and Streaks Workout is pay-once.
- Do I need an Apple Watch?
- No. Nice for cardio, but for lifting it’s usually faster to log on your phone between sets.
- What should I look for first when choosing a workout app?
- Speed. If it takes too many taps to log a set, you won’t stick with it. Then look for templates and a history that’s easy to scan.
All-around best app: Plates
If you lift on iPhone and you want a log that stays out of your way, start here.
All-around best
Plates: Weightlifting Log Top pick
Native iOS One-time purchase No subscriptions
Most apps are fine when you’re planning on the couch. The test is the gym: can you log a set in a couple taps and get back under the bar? Plates is built for that.
- Log quickly: add sets fast, edit without hunting, and keep the screen uncluttered.
- Templates that keep up: PPL, upper/lower, or your own routine—auto-filling from last time.
- Progress you’ll actually use: PRs, volume, and trends that don’t require homework.
Best workout apps
Four more iPhone apps that are genuinely good—just for different priorities.
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Plates: Weightlifting Log Top pick
Highlights
- 250+ exercise library (and you can add your own)
- Templates that auto-fill from your last session
- Readable analytics for volume, PRs, and trends (with cloud sync)
Downsides
- Not a follow-along workout library — it’s built for tracking and analytics.
- No social feed or community layer.
- No Android version.
Want a social feed or Android support? Hevy is the obvious alternative.
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Lyfta
Highlights
- Big exercise library with video form guides
- Ready-to-run programs and templates
- Apple Watch support and Apple Health integration
Downsides
- UI is busy. If you just want to log sets, it can feel like extra steps.
- If you already have your own program, the program-focused parts can get in the way.
- Freemium: expect the better programs and features behind a paywall.
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Highlights
- Social feed and workout sharing built in
- Routines + the basics of logging are solid
- Cross-platform (handy if you switch devices)
Downsides
- If you don’t care about social, the feed is just noise.
- Analytics are thin — volume and trend views don’t tell you much.
- You’ll bump into Pro pretty quickly (subscription).
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MacroFactor Workouts
Highlights
- Adjusts your plan based on what you actually hit
- Good dashboards for volume and training history
- Great if you want structure without spreadsheets
Downsides
- Subscription-only.
- Programming-first: if you want a simple log, it feels heavy.
- Setup takes time; not great for “open, log, close.”
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Highlights
- Simple strength logging with a familiar layout
- Good for people who don’t want “coaching” features
- Been around for years (lots of lifters already use it)
Downsides
- The UI feels dated on iPhone.
- Free tier limits show up fast; Pro is a subscription.
- Analytics are “fine,” but not the reason you’d pick it.
Best subscription free workout apps
Apps you can pay for once (or upgrade once) and keep using. No monthly bill.
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Plates: Weightlifting Log Top pick
Highlights
- Fast, clean iPhone-first logging
- Templates and analytics without paywalls
- One-time purchase (no subscription)
Downsides
- No Android version.
- Built for tracking and analytics, not coached follow-along workouts.
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HeavySet
Highlights
- Quick set entry with smart suggested values
- Deep history and charts (volume, estimated 1RM, and more)
- Lifetime upgrade instead of a subscription
Downsides
- UI is busy; it’s the opposite of clean.
- Lots of knobs → lots of friction mid-workout.
- Free tier limits push you toward the lifetime upgrade.
- If you want “pretty,” this isn’t it.
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Streaks Workout
Highlights
- Quick bodyweight sessions you can start in seconds
- Great for consistency on busy weeks
- Works across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV
Downsides
- Not a lifting log — no set-by-set history for barbell progression.
- Not built for program-style progression.
- If you lift, you’ll probably pair it with a real tracker.
Ready to try Plates?
Start your 14-day free trial. No subscription required—ever.
$12.99 one-time purchase (US) after trial