Weight Training App Advice Please

[Raviv]

I currently have an iPhone app to record my weight training, and I absolutely love it.

It lets me see how much weight and how many reps I did the last time I worked out, and that's a huge help.  I can set it up for the routine I prefer and lets me work around that when I do exercises out of order.  And I can vary the amount of weight for each set (so, for instance, I can do 5 reps at 100 lbs, rest, 5 reps at 110 lbs, and then 3 reps at 120 pounds.

The only problem I have is my 50-year-old eyes.  My distance vision is fine, so I don't need glasses to see where I'm going or even the numbers on the weight plates.  I just can't see the numbers on the app because they're really tiny and close up.  Which means I'm kind of guessing what I lifted last time.

Right now I have Strong, and were it not for the tiny writing I'd be all in.  I tried the Planet Fitness app, but it won't let me change up weights from set to set (and it's annoying).

I don't mind paying the 5 bucks or whatever for an app where I can actually see the numbers, but I don't want to pay that over and over again trying to find the needle in a haystack app where I can.

I don't really care about watching tutorials or connecting with local trainers or accessing videos or anything else.  Just larger than average text, display of my last data next to current (or imported to current), variable number of reps/sets, and the ability to up the weight between sets.

Anyone have experience with an app like that?

[Bjorn]

Hi @Raviv,

I just installed and tinkered around with an app for Android called "Bodyspace". It's linked with bodybuilding.com. The fonts seemed like they'd be functional for what you need, but you'll have to judge for yourself 🙂 I haven't checked whether there's an iPhone version, but I can't imagine they'd have an android one before an iPhone one, so check the iTunes store to see if they have Bodyspace there.

Good luck!

[DiZASTiX]

I recommend "fitlist." It's a free app. It's one of the only apps that can realistically substitute for the "note" app or a physical notebook and pen.

[Raviv]

Well... both of those are really good, but I don't think they're going to work for me.  I have to know what I lifted last time (or have it autofill new workouts) and then be able to see it during the current workout.

But it's getting closer!

For anyone but me, those apps would be really cool.

[RivalDealer]

I don't know what workout you follow but the stronglifts app is really good, it is designed around the stronglifts 5x5 routine though, but very clear and easy to read and pretty much does all the calculating for you, you just turn up and do what it says.

[Raviv]

I guess I'm just picky or asking for a unicorn or something.

Either they force me to work their routines (I can't - I'm hypermobile and some exercises are just not safe) or the data entry is a nightmare (who thinks a leg press is unusual?) or I just plain can't see the numbers.

I must have downloaded at least a dozen so I could try them out myself.  You guys had some great suggestions, and I could see them working well for most people.  Some of them I really liked but they had one fatal (for me) flaw.

Barring some last minute "Eureka!" moment, it's looking like my best bet is going to be plain, ordinary Google Sheets.  Totally "blah," but effective.  And I can zoom to make the numbers bigger.  I can also freeze columns so I get the exercise name, last workout weights, and then the space to add in this workout's numbers.  Since I'm basically doing 3 sets of 5 reps, I don't need to enter that unless I can't complete a set.

sigh

I was really hoping for something cooler.  Maybe I should take up app development...

[Maxit]

I just went old school - small spiral notebook + pen in the gym bag.  

[Raviv]

Yeah, that's my other solution.  I'm just hesitant to have yet another thing to carry around the gym, and they're not fans of having a bag on the actual floor while you're working out.

I'm thinking the best solution may be to just suck it up and wear my glasses while I'm lifting, then take them off when I get on the treadmill.  That way I can keep my favorite apps but still see the numbers.  I just have to remember not to leave my glasses in the cup holder...