I’ve used six different workout trackers over the years. I keep coming back to Strong.

Not because it’s perfect. Because it does one thing extremely well: track your lifts without getting in the way.

Quick Verdict

Aspect	Rating
Workout Quality	N/A (it’s a tracker)
Program Design	★★★☆☆
Tracking Usefulness	★★★★★
Beginner-Friendly	★★★★☆
Value for Price	★★★★☆

Best for: Anyone who lifts weights regularly and wants clean data over time Skip if: You need a program to tell you what to do Free tier: 3 workouts saved, basic tracking Paid tier: $69.99/year or $4.99/month (sometimes discounted to $29.99/year)

What I Used It For

Primary tool for tracking all my lifting since early 2023. I run my own programming—currently a modified 5/3/1—so I needed a tracker, not a coach.

During this time:

• Logged 400+ workouts
• Tracked PRs across 50+ exercises
• Used both iPhone and Apple Watch versions

The Tracking

Strong does exactly what a lifting tracker should do.

You pick your exercises. You log sets, reps, and weight. It saves everything. The rest period timer starts automatically when you finish a set. Your previous workout’s numbers show up as reference for each exercise.

That’s it. That’s the app.

The simplicity is the feature. I’ve used trackers that try to be social networks, coaching platforms, and video libraries simultaneously. They get in the way. Strong doesn’t.

What Gets Tracked Well

Progressive overload: The charts showing weight over time for each exercise are genuinely useful. I can see my deadlift went from 315 to 365 over eight months. Clear visual confirmation that the program is working.

Volume metrics: Total weight lifted per workout and per week. I use this for fatigue management—if volume is climbing consistently, I know I’m progressing. If it drops without a planned deload, something’s wrong.

One-rep max estimates: Strong calculates estimated 1RM from your rep work. Reasonably accurate in my experience, and useful for programming percentages without testing maxes constantly.

Personal records: Automatic PR tracking for every exercise. Weight PR, volume PR, estimated 1RM PR. The celebration animation when you hit one is stupidly motivating.

What Doesn’t Work

Cardio: Strong technically tracks cardio but it’s clearly an afterthought. If you do significant conditioning, use a different app.

Supersets: You can log supersets, but the interface isn’t optimized for them. Annoying if that’s how you train.

Program adherence: Strong doesn’t know if you’re following a program. You can create templates, but it won’t yell at you for skipping leg day or deviating from the plan.

The Apple Watch Experience

This is where Strong separates from competitors.

The watch app is actually usable. Previous weights visible on your wrist. Log reps without pulling out your phone. Rest timer running where you can see it.

I do about 70% of my logging from the watch now. Phone stays in my bag.

Other apps have watch versions. Most are afterthoughts that barely function. Strong’s watch app works well enough that it’s my primary interface during workouts.

What Works

Clean Interface

No visual clutter. No ads. No social feed. You open the app, you see your workouts. Start one, log it, finish.

The exercise selection includes everything. When I needed Bulgarian split squats with rear foot elevated, it was there. When I wanted to track landmine press, it was there. I’ve never had to create a custom exercise.

Rest Timer Integration

This sounds minor. It isn’t.

The timer starts when you complete a set. You don’t think about it. Your rest is tracked automatically. If you use timed rest periods (you should), the app handles it.

When the timer ends, the watch taps your wrist. Simple and effective.

Data Export

I can export everything to CSV. After 400+ workouts, I have years of data that I own and can analyze however I want.

I’ve built spreadsheets from this export to analyze periodization patterns, recovery trends, and stall points. The data is complete and clean.

What Doesn’t Work

Programming Limitations

Strong has “programs” but they’re basic. You can create workout templates and schedule them, but there’s no periodization support, no automatic progression, no deload scheduling.

If you need an app to tell you what to do, Strong isn’t it. You need to know your program and use Strong as the tracking layer.

Social Features (Missing)

No friends, no leaderboards, no sharing. Some people want this. Strong doesn’t have it.

I consider this a feature, not a bug. But if gym community and accountability matter to you, look elsewhere.

Sync Issues Occasionally

Maybe once every two months, the watch and phone briefly disagree about what I lifted. Always resolves with a manual sync, but it happens.

Free vs. Paid

Free tier:

• Save 3 workout sessions
• Basic tracking
• No workout templates

Paid tier (Pro):

• Unlimited workout history
• Workout templates and routines
• Apple Health integration
• Data export

The free tier is barely usable. Three saved workouts means you can’t track anything over time. You’re paying or you’re not really using Strong.

At $69.99/year (often discounted), Strong is mid-priced for what you get. Worth it if you lift 3+ times per week and value clean data.

vs JEFIT

JEFIT is the main competitor for serious lifters.

Aspect	Strong	JEFIT
Interface	Cleaner	More cluttered
Watch app	Excellent	Mediocre
Program features	Basic	Better
Social features	None	Yes
Price	$70/year	$80/year

Pick Strong if you want simplicity and a good watch app. Pick JEFIT if you want more program support and don’t care about watch integration.

vs Hevy

Hevy is newer and has a free tier that actually works.

Aspect	Strong	Hevy
Price	$70/year	Free (Pro $50/year)
Interface	Clean	Clean
Watch app	Excellent	Good
Social	None	Optional

Hevy is a legitimate alternative, especially if budget matters. Strong’s watch app is still better in my experience, but Hevy’s is usable.

If I were starting today, I’d try Hevy’s free tier first. Strong is still my preference, but Hevy makes a case.

Who Should Use This

Intermediate to advanced lifters with their own programming: Strong is tracking infrastructure for people who know what they’re doing. Perfect for running established programs like 5/3/1, GZCL, or PPL splits.

Apple Watch users who lift: The watch integration is genuinely best-in-class. If you train with a watch, Strong is the clear choice.

Data nerds: If you like analyzing your training data in spreadsheets, Strong’s clean export makes this possible.

Minimalists: No noise, no fluff, just logging.

Who Should Skip This

Beginners who need guidance: Strong won’t tell you what to do. If you need a program and coaching, look at apps like JEFIT, Fitbod, or even Boostcamp.

People motivated by social features: No friends, no sharing, no community. If accountability comes from social connection, Strong is too isolated.

Cardio-focused athletes: Strong treats cardio as an afterthought. If running, cycling, or conditioning is primary, use a different tool.

Android users (caveat): The Android version exists but the Apple Watch integration obviously doesn’t. Strong’s Android app is fine; you just lose the best feature.

The Bottom Line

Strong does one thing—track lifting—and does it better than anything else I’ve tried.

The simplicity is intentional. Open app, log workout, close app. No social feed, no AI recommendations, no gamification. Just your weights going up over time.

At $70/year, you’re paying for clean infrastructure. Not coaching, not motivation, not community. If that’s what you need, Strong delivers.

If you need more hand-holding, Strong will disappoint you. It’s a tool for people who already know what they’re doing and want to track the doing precisely.

That’s me. It might be you. If it is, Strong is the answer.

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Tested over 18 months, 400+ logged workouts. Primary use: barbell strength training on self-programmed 5/3/1.