A Gym Workout Log That Is Not a Subscription

Why We Built a Gym Workout Log With No Subscription

As Plates has grown in popularity, people have asked me why I decided to build a workout log without a subscription. A gym workout log you buy once, without any monthly fees.

Most popular workout apps charge you monthly or yearly. Sometimes they offer one-time purchase, but those often come with a really high price tag, often starting at around $100.

Because logging sets shouldn’t cost a yearly fee, and a one-time unlock at ~$100 is a lot for a notebook. Plates is $19.99 once, with a 7-day free trial.

What Plates is

Plates is a weightlifting workout log built specifically for the iPhone. Fast set logging, support for RPE & RIR logging, custom plate keyboard, and advanced strength analytics (e1RM, volume, progressive overload, etc.).

It’s also completely private. Your data stays on your iPhone and syncs across your devices with iCloud.

What we did not build

• No monthly or yearly subscriptions. You should own your apps.
• No accounts. Plates is completely private.
• No feed. We’re not a social media company.
• No AI coach. We are focused on the best logging experience, not coaching.

Free still has a wall

You may be quick to jump out and say “But wait, Hevy and Strong both are free!”.

Let’s see what Hevy and Strong really offer for free.

Free Routines

Hevy and Strong both cap you at 3 routines. If you’re doing anything more complex than PPL or have variation days (Push A / Push B) you’re already pushed out of the free tier.

Analytics

Strong offers absolutely no analytics on the free tier. Hevy includes 3 months of analytics. If you’re half serious about training, you’ll quickly realize 3 months are nothing.

Custom Exercises

While they both offer creating some custom exercises on the free tier, it’s likely not enough if you like to try any esoteric exercise variations or go to a body building gym with a lot of custom equipment.

Who is Plates for

Plates is built specifically for intermediate to advanced lifters. If you’re new to the gym you might have a better experience with some app that tells you what to do. Plates is not that. You bring your own program, and we make sure you have a fantastic experience following it. Two taps to start a workout, one tap to complete a set, and analytics that make sense. Most importantly Plates is for people who are sick of having a subscription for every little app that they use.