Workout Apps

[smackababy]

With the new Apple Watch announcement, this only renews my longing for a good workout app. I am not talking about counting calories or tracking how far I (don't) run.

Is there any app that allows me to enter in a workout (a real workout, with weights and such) that tracks my progression and possibly has a timer? Ideally, I'd want something that I can enter in a long workout and not have to do individual exercises per day (maybe some kind of XML parser or something), but anything that works similar to SL 5x5, but allows me to actually enter in what I am doing would work.

Anything? Or, should I just stop being cheap and buy a Mac to make this myself?

 

[z1ggy]

I mean.... I use excel to track and plan everything from my weights, my meals, my macro's and my body weight.

I use my phone as a stop watch to time my work outs, and a pen and paper to record what I actually do, then go back and fill in my spread sheet later.

I haven't found any single app that does this, hence why I do it manually. I suppose since you're a CS guy, you could just write something in C (on the mac like you said) and make your own app.

Actually, if you have the time you should do it and try to sell it on the app store. I'd prob. pay .99 cents if it actually did everything I described above. +1 if it could calculate calories burned, too, since myfitnesspal can't accurately do that.

 

[Kaido]

Just do Excel on Google Drive with some custom formulas. Entry will be a small pain, but not horrible. I use do it like that for a few of my projects.

 

[smackababy]

Just do Excel on Google Drive with some custom formulas. Entry will be a small pain, but not horrible. I use do it like that for a few of my projects.

I already do that, but it doesn't help me at all in the gym. Have you used the SL5x5 app? It has the workout, how much weight you are doing, and a timer. I want that, but I want to be able to enter in more information than bench, squat, DL, etc.

And, with the addition of the iWatch into the Apple eco system, it makes an app like this even more useful. I could literally just look at my watch and see "Benchpress: 6 reps @ 225" and then press a <Done!> button and a timer begins.

I want something more that lets me track my progression and possibly change my workout. A spreadsheet only goes so far and is a clumsy way to track anything outside of your house.

 

[blackdogdeek]

I could literally just look at my watch and see "Benchpress: 6 reps @ 225" and then press a <Done!> button and a timer begins.

So the watch tracked that you completed 6 reps? Or did it tell you what your next exercise is supposed to be?

 

[smackababy]

So the watch tracked that you completed 6 reps? Or did it tell you what your next exercise is supposed to be?

You'd have to tell it you completed the 6 reps, and then it displays what your next exercise would be. Similar to how the 5x5 app does. You simply enter how many reps you completed and it goes from there.

I don't even need that many features, just a way to put in my workout (ideally, for multiple weeks, but I'd settle for that day), the weight at which my reps are to be, and an accessible timer for rest periods.

I am just going to either buy a MBA or a cheap Hackintosh and try and bang something out. It doesn't seem there are any real trackers (from my Google searches, at least).

 

[blackdogdeek]

You'd have to tell it you completed the 6 reps, and then it displays what your next exercise would be. Similar to how the 5x5 app does. You simply enter how many reps you completed and it goes from there.

I don't even need that many features, just a way to put in my workout (ideally, for multiple weeks, but I'd settle for that day), the weight at which my reps are to be, and an accessible timer for rest periods.

I am just going to either buy a MBA or a cheap Hackintosh and try and bang something out. It doesn't seem there are any real trackers (from my Google searches, at least).

So, at the beginning of the day, or some point before your workout, you'd like to input something like:

squat@5x5@315
bench@5x5@225
row@5x5@135

and then be able to click "start today's workout" or something like that and have the app tell you "Exercise 1: squat; Weight 1: 315; Set 1 (of 5): 5 reps". Then you'd click Done (and/or the number of reps you completed) at the end of the set and it would start a timer telling you what to do in your next set and how much time you had left until you should be starting that set? You'd also want it to track how many reps you completed in each of the set, right?

What does the SL 5x5 app do currently that doesn't fit your needs, out of curiosity?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I use a notepad when I lift weights. I know everything I have done for the past 2-3 years.

I don't have to worry about upgrading hardware or hardware failing or a better app coming out or being tied to an OS ecosystem and it is wicked fast.

And yes, apps exist. I've tried them. Pen and paper is easier and faster. I even use the front cover to write down where the safeties and hooks need to be on my rack for various exercises.

"want something more that lets me track my progression and possibly change my workout" .... want to know what I am going to tell you?

Oh, and ask people that have tracked this kind of info for years how often they look at the history. I doubt anyone does.

Just because technology exists doesn't mean you need to use it. Technology in many cases is less efficient. People just refuse to acknowledge this simple truth.

 

[smackababy]

So, at the beginning of the day, or some point before your workout, you'd like to input something like:

squat@5x5@315
bench@5x5@225
row@5x5@135

and then be able to click "start today's workout" or something like that and have the app tell you "Exercise 1: squat; Weight 1: 315; Set 1 (of 5): 5 reps". Then you'd click Done (and/or the number of reps you completed) at the end of the set and it would start a timer telling you what to do in your next set and how much time you had left until you should be starting that set? You'd also want it to track how many reps you completed in each of the set, right?

What does the SL 5x5 app do currently that doesn't fit your needs, out of curiosity?

The SL 5x5 app only covers the SL 5x5 workout. I don't do that workout; I do something with other exercises, and I imagine quite a few other people are similar to me in that aspect. Other than that, I don't require much other functionality. Perhaps, working through the lock screen would be nice.

 

[blackdogdeek]

The SL 5x5 app only covers the SL 5x5 workout. I don't do that workout; I do something with other exercises, and I imagine quite a few other people are similar to me in that aspect. Other than that, I don't require much other functionality. Perhaps, working through the lock screen would be nice.

So you'd want to be able to custom pick your exercises and rep/rest scheme? Was my use case example accurate (at least in terms of functionality and workflow)?

 

[jafwiz]

I use The Jefit app and it does everything you want.

 

[smackababy]

So you'd want to be able to custom pick your exercises and rep/rest scheme? Was my use case example accurate (at least in terms of functionality and workflow)?

Yes. I want to be able to enter what exercises and the amount of reps I am going to do on a given day, along with what my current weight for those sets are, and have access to a timer afterwards.



And, I understand I could use a pen and note pad, I already do. I also understand that this is the 21st century. I'd rather not have to write shit down and squint across the gym at a clock (rarely wear my contacts to the gym, and never wear my glasses).

The entire idea of "oh you don't need this! You can use some archaic inconvenient method that has existed for a thousand years" isn't an answer. You could not use your car either, legs have carried men since they became bipedal. Doesn't mean they aren't better or easier.

 

[smackababy]

I use The Jefit app and it does everything you want.

Oh! A response I actually wanted. Thanks! I will check that out when I get home.

 

[blackdogdeek]

Yes. I want to be able to enter what exercises and the amount of reps I am going to do on a given day, along with what my current weight for those sets are, and have access to a timer afterwards.

Ok, it doesn't sound like a very difficult app to develop. Do you have a software dev background?

 

[smackababy]

Ok, it doesn't sound like a very difficult app to develop. Do you have a software dev background?

Yep. I am a software developer. =) Just don't have anything running OSX (yet).

 

[blackdogdeek]

Yep. I am a software developer. =) Just don't have anything running OSX (yet).

I think purbeast0 built a hackintosh for the same purpose so you could probably contact him for specifics. You could probably also craigslist an old mac mini for the minimal entry into Mac OS. The development language is Objective-C but I thought I saw that there is going to be a new development language for iOS8. I have a game in the app store so if you have any questions please feel free to PM me.

 

[Kaido]

I already do that, but it doesn't help me at all in the gym. Have you used the SL5x5 app? It has the workout, how much weight you are doing, and a timer. I want that, but I want to be able to enter in more information than bench, squat, DL, etc.

And, with the addition of the iWatch into the Apple eco system, it makes an app like this even more useful. I could literally just look at my watch and see "Benchpress: 6 reps @ 225" and then press a <Done!> button and a timer begins.

I want something more that lets me track my progression and possibly change my workout. A spreadsheet only goes so far and is a clumsy way to track anything outside of your house.

Oh, gotcha. You'll be a millionaire from meatheads if you release this as an app version on the iWatch!

 

[smackababy]

Oh, gotcha. You'll be a millionaire from meatheads if you release this as an app version on the iWatch!

Even before the iWatch I'd been thinking of doing this. I have just been slow to enter the Apple ecosystem on the personal computer side.

 

[Riparian]

Oh! A response I actually wanted. Thanks! I will check that out when I get home.

Second here for Jefit. Pretty much allows me to create my own routines (or use their pre-made ones), has a huge database of exercises and you can create custom exercises, timer for intervals between sets, and syncs between their web platform and mobile platforms.

Only downside to Jefit is tracking increases in weight if you're doing pyramids. I usually bring an Excel printout of a 5/3/1 routine and just follow that while using Jefit to track progress.

 

[RandomWords]

I use The Jefit app and it does everything you want.

+1
Good app.