Top 5 Apps for Creating a Gym Workout

Choose the ideal app for your gym workout

Nowadays, training apps offer complete support for those who want to train at home or at the gym. 

With customization, detailed guidance, and metrics, these apps make it easy to create an effective workout routine.

This article provides a list of the five best apps for creating a gym workout, explaining the benefits and features of each one.

Best apps for creating workouts

See the best apps for creating workouts, with varied features and compatible platforms for each type of workout and level of experience.

1. Nike Training Club

Platforms	iOS, Android
Experience level	Beginners to advanced

Nike Training Club (NTC) is a popular app for beginners and advanced users alike that offers a wide variety of workouts, covering strength, endurance, mobility and even recovery sessions. 

NTC has more than 200 free workouts, with high-quality videos that demonstrate the correct execution of the movements.

Another difference is personalization: the plans adapt to the user's goals, such as muscle strengthening, improving physical fitness and flexibility. 

Additionally, the app has series guided by top-level trainers, which makes it a great option for those who want to follow a complete and professional routine.

2. JEFIT

Platforms	iOS, Android
Experience level	Intermediate to advanced

JEFIT is aimed at those who enjoy bodybuilding and weightlifting. 

The app has an extensive library with thousands of exercises, ideal for users looking to develop strength and muscle mass. 

It also offers the possibility of creating personalized routines and tracking progress, recording loads, sets and repetitions.

One of the most praised features of JEFIT is its support for “supersets” and other advanced training methods. 

In addition, the app has a community where users share tips and routines, providing an interactive platform for those looking for extra motivation and to exchange experiences.

3. StrongLifts

Platforms	iOS, Android
Experience level	Beginners and Intermediates

StrongLifts is a minimalist app focused on strength training based on five main exercises: squat, deadlift, bench press, row and overhead press. 

Simplicity is the strong point of StrongLifts, which stands out for its 5×5 training method (five sets of five repetitions) for gaining strength and muscle mass.

The app is recommended for beginners and intermediate users who want a structured and easy-to-follow workout, without the need for complex customizations. 

It offers built-in timers, progress graphs, and workout reminders, ideal for those who want a hassle-free routine.

4. Fitbod

Platforms	iOS
Experience level	Beginners to advanced

Fitbod sets itself apart with artificial intelligence that adjusts training based on user data and desired goals. 

By indicating what types of equipment are available (such as dumbbells, barbells or just body weight), the app creates personalized workouts that avoid repeating muscles that have already been trained recently.

Fitbod is also a great option for those looking to optimize their time at the gym, with workouts designed to maximize efficiency and prevent injuries. 

The app's interface is intuitive, with progress graphs and a training diary that allows you to analyze each session in detail.

5. Gymshark Training

Platforms	iOS, Android
Experience level	Beginners to advanced

Gymshark Training is an extension of the famous fitness clothing brand Gymshark and offers workouts focused on strength, endurance and hypertrophy. 

The app features programs designed by renowned influencers and personal trainers, and each workout comes with explanatory videos and tips.

It is a great option for those who like to follow ready-made workouts and have access to content from fitness professionals. 

Additionally, Gymshark Training has a very visual and easy-to-use interface that allows you to track your progress and adjust your training plan as your goals change.

Tips for getting the most out of your workout app

Using a training app can boost your results, but there are strategies to get the most out of the tool.

• Set clear goals: Define whether the focus will be on gaining muscle mass, losing weight or improving resistance.
• Follow the training plan: Consistency is key to lasting results.
• Personalize your workouts: Adjust the suggested exercises according to your physical level.
• Make regular adjustments: Reevaluate the plan as it evolves.

These practices help you stay focused and ensure you get the most out of your workout apps.

How to create an efficient training routine?

Creating an efficient workout routine is essential to achieving your goals. Here are some best practices to help you get the most out of your workout app:

• Divide the muscle groups: Focus on different muscle groups in each session, such as legs, back and chest.
• Establish fixed training and rest days: To avoid injuries and ensure muscle recovery.
• Include warm-up and stretching: Essential for avoiding injuries and increasing flexibility.
• Monitor progress: Record your results in the app to track your progress.

These tips will help you stay consistent and customize your workout to fit your body and lifestyle.

What to Consider When Choosing a Workout App

When choosing between so many training apps, consider a few factors to make the best decision:

• Fitness goals: Choose an app that offers plans aligned with your goals, such as gaining muscle mass or losing weight.
• Experience level: More advanced apps can be difficult for beginners; opt for something that is adjustable to your level.
• Essential features: Some apps offer extra features, like nutrition tracking or sleep monitoring.

Based on these considerations, you can choose the ideal app for your profile and ensure that it meets your needs and goals.

How to adjust your workouts according to your progress

As you progress through your workouts, adjusting your routine becomes essential to avoid plateauing and continue progressing. 

A good training app lets you make these adjustments conveniently, using performance data and suggesting changes.

This helps you adapt your workout as your body gets stronger and your fitness improves.

Here are some strategies for adjusting your workouts:

• Increase the load gradually: Increasing the load in a controlled manner, from 5% to 10% per week, keeps the challenge constant without overloading the muscles.
• Change the intensity: Adding variations in intensity, such as including more repetitions or reducing rest time, helps prevent muscle adaptation.
• Explore new exercises: Changing exercises periodically, substituting movements that work the same muscles, keeps the routine dynamic.
• Set new goals: If you've already achieved an initial goal, it's time to set new goals, such as increasing endurance or focusing on gaining strength.

These adjustments help maximize performance and maintain progress, ensuring that your training is always aligned with your current level.

Advantages and disadvantages of using apps to create workouts

Using a workout app can transform your gym experience, but it’s important to know the pros and cons to decide if it’s worth it.

Advantages

• Practicality and flexibility: Personalized workouts that adapt to your time and environment are easy to follow.
• Accessibility: Many apps have free versions, with complete exercises and progress monitoring features.
• Personalization: Workout plans focused on your goals, such as gaining mass or losing weight, make it easier to make targeted progress.
• Monitoring: Apps help record data such as weight, repetitions and sets, offering a performance history.

Disadvantages

• Lack of personalized feedback: Without the presence of a trainer, there may be errors in the execution of movements.
• Exercise limitations: Many apps have limited libraries, restricting the variety of workouts.
• Need for discipline: Adherence to the plan depends entirely on the user's discipline.
• Technology dependence: You must have a mobile device and, in some cases, internet access.

Knowing these advantages and disadvantages allows you to use apps more strategically and in line with your profile.

How to Set Realistic Goals Using a Workout App

Setting realistic goals is essential to ensure success and motivation in training. 

One of the biggest benefits of workout apps is the ability to set personalized goals, such as gaining strength, increasing endurance, or improving fitness. 

Many of these apps offer guidance on short-term and long-term goals, making it easier to create a viable, achievable plan and track your progress.

When setting goals, there are a few steps you can take to make them more tangible and motivating:

• Set short and long-term goals: Break your goals down into smaller achievements, such as increasing your weightlifting by 10 pounds or running 1.2 miles without stopping. These goals are easier to achieve and help keep you motivated.
• Do a self-assessment: Before setting goals, consider your current fitness level. This will help you avoid setting goals that will overwhelm your body and ensure that you make safe progress.
• Set reasonable deadlines: Goals should have realistic deadlines. For example, by setting a goal of gaining 1 to 2 kg of muscle mass in a month, you avoid frustration and respect the time needed for your body to adapt.
• Track progress: Use the app to monitor your data, review performance, and adjust goals when necessary.

These practices make using the app more motivating, providing a positive experience and increasing the chances of achieving goals in a sustainable way.

How to customize exercises to avoid training injuries

Customizing your exercises is an important step in adapting your workouts to your body and avoiding injuries. 

Most workout apps offer a variety of exercises with visual guidance on how to perform them correctly. 

However, it is essential to make individual adjustments according to your needs and level of preparation, ensuring safety during the sessions.

• Adjust the load and volume: Adapt the weight and number of sets and repetitions to your physical level. Increase the load gradually, allowing the body to adapt without overloading.
• Pay attention to the execution: The videos provided by the app help you learn the correct form for each movement. Try watching these instructions before starting a new exercise.
• Rest between sessions: Many apps indicate the ideal rest time between exercises and workouts. These intervals are essential to avoid muscle fatigue and repetitive strain injuries.
• Prioritize warming up: Performing warm-up exercises before starting training prepares your muscles and reduces the risk of injury, especially in activities that involve explosive movements.

These practices help to personalize training in a safe and effective way, ensuring continuous progress and avoiding injuries that could interrupt your progress.

Workout apps vs personal trainer: which one to choose?

The choice between using a training app or hiring a personal trainer depends on each person's goals, budget and preferences. 

Each option has its advantages, and the ideal decision is the one that best meets your needs.

• Costs: In general, workout apps offer free versions or more affordable plans, while a personal trainer usually requires a larger investment for individual sessions.
• Personalization: Personal trainers adjust every detail of the workout based on each student’s individual needs and progress. Apps, on the other hand, offer limited customization and are more suitable for those who have an initial idea of what they need.
• Immediate feedback: A personal trainer can correct posture and execution the moment they notice a mistake, preventing injuries. In contrast, apps offer videos and general instructions without live supervision.
• Flexibility: Apps allow you to train anytime, anywhere, and can easily adapt to different schedules. Personal trainers, on the other hand, follow specific schedules, which can be a disadvantage for those with a flexible schedule.

If you are looking for highly personalized support, especially for specific goals or in cases of physical recovery, a personal trainer may be the best choice. 

For those who want flexibility and savings, training apps are a practical and effective alternative.

Benefits of keeping a progress diary in the workout app

Keeping a progress diary in the training app is a practice that brings countless benefits. 

With it, you can record your progress, making training more motivating and helping you identify what is working or needs to be adjusted. 

Progress visualization is a powerful tool for anyone who wants to stay focused and improve results.

• Continuous motivation: Recording progress, such as increasing load or reducing time in a run, helps you visualize your achievements, encouraging you to continue with your training plan.
• Pattern identification: By monitoring your results, it becomes easier to see which training methods have the most impact and adjust your routine to maximize your gains.
• Setting new goals: With a detailed history, you can redefine objectives, creating new goals that are aligned with your progress.
• Stagnation prevention: Constant analysis of progress allows you to identify when it is time to increase intensity or vary your training, avoiding monotony and stagnation of results.

This practice makes training more effective and focused, as well as allowing more strategic use of the app. 

With a progress journal, you have a clearer view of your journey, making it easier to reach goals and stay engaged.

Tips for tracking your progress and making adjustments to the app

Monitoring progress is essential to ensure the effectiveness of training and adjusting the plan as progress is made. 

The data recorded in the app, such as load, number of repetitions and heart rate, help to visualize performance and guide the necessary changes in the routine.

• Check the weekly statistics: Analyzing weekly data on weight lifted, number of repetitions, and intensity provides an overview of progress. This helps you make periodic adjustments to your training plan.
• Reevaluate the goals: Over time, some goals may be achieved or change as you develop. Adjust your goals as you progress, adding new challenges or changing your focus.
• Use extra metrics: Many apps offer additional data, such as heart rate monitoring and calories burned, which help you refine your workout and see the impact of your activities.
• Adapt the intensity: If the workout feels easy, increase the load or intensity to keep your progress steady. Regular adjustments are essential to keep improving.

These practices make using the app more effective, helping to adapt your training to your physical development and ensuring a training experience aligned with your goals.

The main mistakes when using training apps and how to avoid them

While workout apps are great for facilitating access to physical activity, some common mistakes can compromise the effectiveness and safety of workouts. 

Identifying and avoiding these mistakes helps ensure more satisfactory results and maintain an uninterrupted routine.

• Lack of consistency: Maintaining a routine is essential for training to bring results. Avoid missing training, even on challenging days, and maintain discipline.
• Skip rest: Training daily without adequate rest can cause fatigue and increase the risk of injury. Respect the intervals recommended by the app and value recovery days.
• Overloading: Increasing weight too quickly is risky and can lead to injury. Increase the weight gradually, allowing your body to adapt.
• Not tracking progress: Tracking is essential to making adjustments. Use the app to log each workout and revisit metrics frequently to ensure you’re moving in the right direction.

These practices help avoid common problems and improve the quality of your workout. 

By paying attention to these points, you can make the most of training apps and achieve consistent, long-lasting results.

Workout Apps for People Who Hate Working Out: How to Make Exercise More Enjoyable

For those who don't like working out, training apps can be great allies to make the practice more enjoyable. 

With different features, it is possible to create a routine that is less repetitive and more fun, encouraging even the most resistant to maintain the habit.

Here are some strategies that can make the experience lighter and more motivating:

• Choose short workouts: Many apps offer workouts lasting just 10 to 15 minutes, a great option for those who prefer something quick and practical.
• Explore outdoor workouts: Some apps have the option to adapt workouts to outdoor environments, such as parks and squares. This allows you to vary the environment and makes the exercise more interesting.
• Bet on music and podcasts: Listening to motivational music or content can make your workout more exciting and enjoyable, turning it into a fun time.
• Set simple, achievable goals: To avoid getting discouraged, set easier goals that don't require as much time or effort. This way, training becomes an attainable achievement.

These tactics help create a lighter relationship with exercise, encouraging even those who don't like working out to maintain a training routine and take care of their health.

Key Points: What You Need to Remember

• Choose an app that matches your profile: Evaluate your experience and goals before selecting an app, such as Nike Training Club, JEFIT or Gymshark Training, to ensure a plan aligns with your goals.
• Set realistic goals: Divide your goals into short-term and long-term targets, making it easier to monitor and avoiding frustration.
• Stay consistent in your training: Regularity is essential for good results. Use the app to create reminders and a schedule to help you maintain your routine.
• Customize your workouts to avoid injury: Adjust loads, volume and intensity paying attention to the correct execution of movements, prioritizing warm-up.
• Track progress with metrics: Monitor your stats, adjust goals as you progress, and use extra metrics like heart rate to track performance.
• Avoid the main mistakes: Be aware of issues such as excess load, lack of rest and insufficient monitoring, which can compromise the effectiveness of the training.
• Try to make training more enjoyable: To stay motivated, explore short workouts, train outdoors, and use music or podcasts that make the experience lighter and more fun.
• Consider the cost-benefit of a personal trainer: Apps are practical and accessible, but if you are looking for detailed monitoring, a personal trainer is an alternative.

Online yoga apps

In addition to gym training apps, there are options dedicated to yoga, offering specific practices and benefits for physical and mental well-being. 

For those who want to explore this practice, there are apps that facilitate learning and personalizing sessions.

In the next article, check out the best yoga app options to train at home, calm your mind and improve your flexibility!