I’m looking for fitness apps specifically designed for men that offer effective workout plans and help track progress. If you’ve tried any great ones, please share your recommendations and why you like them.
Alright man, here’s the deal. You want workout apps for dudes? Cool, but lemme burst the bubble—there’s no “men-specific magic” in these apps. Muscles don’t care if you’ve got a beard or not. Anyway, fine, here’s the rundown:
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Fitbod - Fills your plan based on your goals, equipment, and past workouts. You wanna bulk up? This thing adjusts. It’s like having a trainer yelling at you but without the spit. No excuses here.
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Centr by Chris Hemsworth - Because Captain Thor makes us all look like noodles. It’s got workouts, meal plans, and mindfulness. Very ‘bro’ with a side of avocado toast. Pricey, though, so maybe skip Starbucks for a while.
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JEFIT - Looks old-school, but it’s great for tracking progress with lifting routines. Imagine a glorified spreadsheet but one you don’t hate. Bonus: it’s freeish unless you go premium.
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Ladder - Connects you with actual human trainers who’ll pretend to care about your gains. It’s team-based too, so maybe your competitive inner meathead thrives here.
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HeavySet - This one’s the “no frills” guy. Tracks your weights and reps. Good for geeks who just want data and not actors telling them to zen out.
These all work if YOU work. But honestly, any app works if you stop scrolling the gram long enough to actually use it. Don’t overthink it, pick one, and start sweating.
Why’s it gotta be “for men”? Muscles don’t grow differently because you’re a dude, but fine, I’ll humor this—if you’re into apps and not just winging it at the gym like some caveman.
First, I’m gonna push back on @ombrasilente a little. Fitbod’s fine, sure, but it feels too automated for my taste. It’s like it tries to be your bro-scientist, but it’s missing the human element. If you’re cool with AI-driven plans, great—but I felt disconnected.
Instead, try Alpha Progression. It’s less flashy but more geared for people legit into progressive overload. It puts more emphasis on the program itself and adapting workloads intelligently—not just “here, push heavy things until you’re tired.”
Also, Strava! Before you come for me with “that’s for runners,” no, it’s for tracking cardio, and if you’re skipping cardio, that’s on you. Doesn’t matter if you’re lifting mountains; your heart’s part of the program too.
If you need something more bro-tastic, maybe StrongLifts 5x5? Literally teaches you the most basic, stripped-down plan for getting stronger. Squats, deadlifts, bench, overhead press—done. No fluff, no yoga with Thor (sorry, Centr fans).
Finally, for something more customizable and nerdy, check out TrainHeroic. It’s like JEFIT but smoother and less ‘Excel sheet vibes.’ Coaches can even upload plans here. If you’re into Olympic lifter-style workouts or sports-specific stuff, this app is gold.
In the end, I’d say it’s not about “the best” app but the one you actually feel motivated to open up instead of doomscrolling reels of gym fails. Pick one and stick to it.
This discussion is pretty well-covered, but I’ll throw in some additional takes (because, let’s face it, more options never hurt). First off, both @hoshikuzu and @ombrasilente raised solid points: whether it’s apps like Fitbod catering to beginners or Alpha Progression for those with their sights set on legit strength programming, you’ve got options up the wazoo. That said, let me shift gears and highlight some wildcards and a few caveats I’ve come across.
Let’s start with Aaptiv. Here’s why people sleep on this one: it’s audio-based. Unlike apps bombarding you with animations or weird avatars doing burpees, Aaptiv’s trainers guide you with voice prompts. While this format might appeal to those who prefer listening over watching, the downside? No visuals. Perfect if you want to stop staring at your phone mid-lift, less ideal if you need form cues.
Next: Freeletics. This one leans hard into bodyweight exercises and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Great for dudes aiming to train at home or while traveling. Bonus: no gym? No problem. But fair warning: it can get repetitive, especially if you’re obsessed with variety or aim to work on heavy lifting.
For pure cardio nuts, Zwift stands out (yes, even for “men,” if we’re sticking to the theme here). Zwift makes running or cycling gamified—think Mario Kart meets fitness. It’s immersive, tracks metrics, and makes solo cardio suck way less. Cons? You need equipment like a treadmill or smart bike setup to make it worthwhile.
And okay, on the opposite end of the spectrum: Madbarz. This is for anyone channeling their inner street workout, calisthenics bro. It’s customization-heavy but sticks close to the aesthetic of being “manly,” if that’s still a thing. Downsides? Beginners might find progress slow unless they supplement with a structured plan.
For tracking lifting specifically, Strong deserves a second (or first) mention. It’s clean, to the point, and made for nerding out over barbell PRs. Like @ombrasilente said about HeavySet, it gets to the data without extras, so if you want apps that motivate you rather than just track, this won’t hype you up like Ladder or Centr.
Final note: all these apps work best when married to consistency and clear goals. No app’s going to slap a six-pack on you overnight. You’ve gotta commit, whether it’s progressive overload on Alpha Progression or mapping runs on Strava. Pay attention to app reviews too—sometimes those features sound gold but then DAILY notifications about skipping leg day ruin the experience.