Top-5-Weight-Lifting-Apps-2023-review
Health and wellness Fitness

Top 5 Weightlifting Apps for Strength Training in 2023: Ideal for Beginners and Pros

Emily Brown

If you want to jumpstart your strength training, utilizing a weightlifting app can give you the direction, encouragement, and inspiration needed to achieve your goals and objectives faster.

With features like easy workout tracking and customized training plans, it’s like having a personal trainer by your side throughout your sessions. These apps offer exercise demonstrations, track workout stats (such as reps, sets, and weight used), provide advice on rest days, and suggest alternative exercises.

In this review of the top weightlifting apps, we present nine standout apps and explain which ones are best suited for different users.

Alpha Progression – Top Choice for Overall Performance

Alpha-Progression-app-review

Alpha Progression is a top weightlifting app that offers a wealth of useful features. It has an extensive video library of exercises, detailed descriptions, easy workout logging, and effective A.I.-generated workout plans. In comparison to other A.I.-generated workouts, Alpha Progression is generally more accurate and reliable. Like Fitbod, it allows you to input your equipment, gym experience, goals, and other attributes to generate personalized workouts and strength-based fitness plans. We have chosen Alpha Progression as the best overall app due to its effortless workout tracking and reliable recommendations for reps, sets, and workouts based on your fitness goals.

The emphasis on lifted volume, rather than just 1RM, makes Alpha Progression suitable for bodybuilding and hypertrophy routines, but it can be used for any weight lifting routine. You can learn more about the app by reading our in-depth review, which discusses our daily experience using it and the results we achieved. In addition, Alpha Progression is offering Fitness Drum readers a special 20% discount, in addition to the free trial, to help them get started. Click here to have the discount applied to your account automatically.

Pros of Alpha Progression:

  1. A.I. generated workout programs: Alpha Progression uses artificial intelligence to create personalized workout plans based on your fitness goals, equipment availability, and experience level.
  2. Rich exercise video library: The app offers a comprehensive video library with detailed exercise demonstrations and descriptions to ensure proper form and technique.
  3. Easy logging: The app makes it easy to log and track your workouts, including the weights used, sets, and reps, allowing you to monitor your progress over time.
  4. Focus on volume: Alpha Progression’s focus on lifting volume, rather than just 1RM, is well-suited for bodybuilding and hypertrophy routines.
  5. Free trial and discount: The app offers a free trial, and users can also receive a 20% discount on the subscription.

Cons of Alpha Progression:

  1. Limited equipment options: The app’s workout programs are limited to the equipment available to you, so you may need to modify some exercises if you don’t have access to specific equipment.
  2. No cardio tracking: While Alpha Progression is great for strength training, it does not offer cardio tracking or workout programs.
  3. No social features: The app does not have social features or a community aspect, so users can’t connect with other users or share progress.
  4. Price: Alpha Progression is relatively expensive compared to other workout apps, with a monthly subscription fee.
  5. Limited nutrition tracking: The app does not offer nutrition tracking or meal planning features, which may be important for some users.

Fitbod – Top Pick for Beginners in Weightlifters

Fitbod-weightlifting

Fitbod provides a straightforward and efficient solution for weightlifting at an affordable cost. It boasts of highly positive reviews from its large user base and offers effective workout plans to enhance your strength and fitness. With a smart algorithm, Fitbod creates a personalized and evolving workout plan that considers your performance and ultimate objective. The app ensures that the workouts remain both challenging and doable, creating a motivating environment to keep you enthusiastic about lifting weights.

Fitbod is an excellent weightlifting solution that offers a simple and effective approach. It is affordable, has positive reviews, and can help you achieve your fitness goals through tailored workout plans.

Fitbod uses a clever algorithm that adapts to your performance and adjusts your workout plan accordingly. It takes into account your previous workouts, overarching goals, and available equipment, making it ideal for at-home and gym workouts.

We chose Fitbod as the best app for beginners due to its ease of use and customizability. It eliminates the guesswork and provides a clear program to follow.

To learn more about Fitbod, read our detailed Fitbod review. As a bonus, we have an exclusive 25% discount code for our readers, bringing the cost down to just $5/month. Click here or use the code DRUM25 at the redeem code page to get started.

Fitbod-app-review

Pros about Fitbod:

  1. Personalized workout plans based on your fitness goals, experience level, and available equipment.
  2. Continuously evolving workout plans that adjust based on your performance.
  3. Easy to use interface and detailed exercise instructions with video demonstrations.
  4. Integration with popular fitness tracking apps like Apple Health and Google Fit.
  5. Affordable pricing compared to other weightlifting apps.

Cons about Fitbod:

  1. Some users may find the app’s customization options limited compared to other weightlifting apps.
  2. The workout plans can be repetitive for some users.
  3. The app may not be suitable for advanced weightlifters looking for very specific training programs.
  4. Limited nutrition tracking features.
  5. Some users have reported technical issues with the app, such as difficulty syncing with fitness trackers.

Best Free Version: JEFIT

JEFIT-review

JEFIT is primarily a weightlifting app that offers a range of tools to support weightlifters. Although it is marketed as a broad fitness app, its features are more focused on weightlifting. JEFIT has a large user base of around 8.8 million due to its robust free version, which is the most comprehensive of all weightlifting apps. The app’s premise is straightforward: create a workout plan, track progress, and review results.

JEFIT boasts an extensive exercise library with over 1,000 options, making it a great choice for those seeking variety in their weightlifting routines.

However, with so many options, beginners may feel overwhelmed and may end up creating ineffective workout plans by trying to include too much.

JEFIT-app-review

Pros of JEFIT:

  1. JEFIT offers the most robust free version among weightlifting apps with a vast library of exercises.
  2. The app allows you to create and customize your own workout plans and track progress with ease.
  3. JEFIT offers a social aspect that allows you to connect with friends and share workout data.
  4. The app provides detailed exercise instructions and videos to ensure proper form and technique.
  5. JEFIT offers a feature to help you find gyms near you and locate available equipment.

Cons of JEFIT:

  1. The interface can be overwhelming, especially for beginners, with many features and options available.
  2. Some users have reported issues with syncing and tracking data, leading to frustration and inaccurate progress tracking.
  3. The app has limited cardio and aerobic exercise options, making it less suitable for those looking for a more well-rounded fitness routine.
  4. The free version of the app contains ads, which can be distracting and interrupt the workout flow.
  5. Some users have reported difficulty navigating the app and finding specific exercises, leading to confusion and wasted time.

BodyFit – The Top Choice for Bodybuilding

BodyFit, the workout app and premium content service from Bodybuilding.com, is heavily focused on traditional bodybuilding routines and offers access to a vast library of expertly crafted workout plans. The app features content produced by some of the best strength coaches, providing valuable insights into strength training and hypertrophy.

In addition to the app, a BodyFit membership unlocks extra content on bodybuilding.com and a 10% discount on their online store. We selected BodyFit as the best option for bodybuilding due to its focus on routines and workouts tailored for this style of weightlifting, making it an ideal choice for those looking to build muscle or lose weight.

When using BodyFit’s app, you can easily browse and find training plans according to your fitness goals, whether it’s building strength, losing weight, or gaining muscle mass. In addition, the app allows you to track your workouts and monitor your progress over time.

We were impressed with BodyFit’s exercise demonstrations, which are particularly helpful for beginners who need guidance on proper form and technique.

BodyFit-app-review

BodyFit’s main strength lies in its professionally designed workout programs, but if you prefer to create your own custom workouts, you may find other apps such as Alpha Progression and Fitbod more suitable.

In addition to workout plans, BodyFit’s app also provides a wealth of nutritional content. However, it’s worth noting that much of this content is geared towards promoting bodybuilding.com’s supplements.

Pros of BodyFit’s app :

  1. Wide range of training plans available, catering to different fitness goals and levels.
  2. The app allows users to track their workouts, monitor progress, and make adjustments accordingly.
  3. Detailed exercise demonstrations that are especially helpful for beginners learning proper form and technique.
  4. Professionally designed workout programs that are effective and challenging.
  5. Access to nutritional content and supplements, which can be helpful for those looking to support their fitness goals.

Cons BodyFit’s app:

  1. BodyFit’s focus on bodybuilding-style routines may not be suitable for those with other fitness goals.
  2. The app promotes Bodybuilding.com’s supplements, which may not be necessary for everyone.
  3. Some users may find the subscription cost to be too expensive.
  4. Custom workout creation options are limited compared to other apps like Alpha Progression and Fitbod.
  5. The app may feel overwhelming with the amount of content available, making it difficult to navigate for some users.

Pliability – Top Choice for Recovery

Pliability-review.

Pliability (previously ROMWOD) is a mobility app with over 1,500+ routines designed to help you move better, recover faster and ultimately improve athletic performance. If you’re serious about lifting weights, recovery needs to become a priority in your weekly fitness sessions… and Pliability makes this simple and enjoyable to do. Pliability helps you reach new personal bests and push through strength training plateaus by improving joint range of motion and muscle flexibility. Using evidence-based mobility workouts, you can use the app to better aid recovery between weightlifting sessions, which will likely improve your performance in the gym.

We particularly like Pliability’s mobility test feature, which assesses your mobility level through a series of movements and creates a customized plan to improve areas of weakness.

We chose Pliability as the top recovery app because of its effective and diverse mobility sessions. Originally designed for CrossFit enthusiasts, Pliability’s mobility routines are particularly helpful for those performing Olympic lifts.

Say goodbye to stiff shoulders and tight hips!

However, Pliability doesn’t offer weightlifting workouts or workout logging, so you may need to use another app alongside it for those features. Currently, the app offers a 7-day free trial before committing to a membership.

Pliability-stertching

Pros about Pliability app :

  1. Over 1,500 mobility routines designed to improve joint range of motion and muscle flexibility
  2. Includes a mobility test to create a personalized plan based on areas of weakness
  3. Originally designed for CrossFit, making it ideal for those who do Olympic lifts
  4. Can improve recovery time between weightlifting sessions and ultimately improve athletic performance
  5. Offers a 7-day free trial before committing to a membership

Cons about Pliability app:

  1. Does not include any weightlifting workouts or workout logging
  2. May not be suitable for those looking for a more comprehensive fitness app
  3. Requires a subscription fee after the 7-day free trial
  4. Some users may find the app’s interface to be confusing or difficult to navigate
  5. The app may be more focused on mobility and recovery rather than strength and muscle-building, which may not appeal to some users.

Questions and answers

  • Free vs Paid Apps – What are the Differences?

When searching for a fitness app, you may notice there are free and paid options. Free apps typically have limited features and may include ads as a way to monetize their business. On the other hand, paid fitness apps offer more features and may leverage more technology, such as A.I. to generate workouts.

Many paid apps offer free trials, so we recommend signing up to see for yourself if they are worth the monthly cost.

  • What Features Make a Great Weightlifting App?

The ability to log workouts is probably the most important feature for anyone lifting weights. Tracking your progress will help with motivation and make your training more effective. Creating custom workout plans or following professionally created workouts are also useful features for any sort of strength training, allowing you to tailor your training to specific goals.

Exercise demonstrations are helpful for beginners, and having exercise alternatives, such as low-impact variations, can also be beneficial, especially for those who may struggle with certain movements.

Insights into muscle group recovery, such as Fitbod’s feature that shows which muscles are due for training and which ones need rest based on your goals, can also be great for understanding how many days to train and when to avoid overtraining certain muscles.

  • Weightlifting vs Fitness Apps – What are the Differences?

Weightlifting apps are a category of fitness apps that focus on helping users lift weights, including dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, and other forms of resistance. Fitness apps may include a wider variety of exercises, such as calisthenics/bodyweight, running, cycling, and other forms of exercise. Weightlifting apps are best suited for those who enjoy lifting weights.

Emily Brown
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