If you were to ask me about a fully featured workout tracking app tailored to any user eager to train and completely free, I would recommend Alpha Progression. Now, with a gigantic market of workout tracking apps, perhaps this app may not meet your requirements.
Don't get me wrong, Alpha Progression is undoubtedly one of my top 3 best free apps in the market. However, there are certain aspects that don't make the app accessible to every type of user. Aside from the obvious differences between a paid user and a free one, which should not be underestimated, I will focus on what could be improved in the free version and make some mention of the paid version.
The simple interface of Alpha Progression for effective workout tracking.
Nothing is more impressive about Alpha Progression than its polished interface, fully focused on making it understandable and enjoyable for any user, as if it were an old-school notebook, but with the superpower of recording training variables and performing quick calculations to gain an advantage in your workouts.
It is a powerful tool and worthy of being a functional app in our lives, completely free. And if we want a little more, there is always the paid version that enhances the experience, making it more professional or, if you are a beginner, perfect for learning to train.
One can see how much I have enjoyed this app, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. In fact, it's not. To be honest, Alpha Progression is a comprehensive app for what a workout tracking app can be. It is a serious app that doesn't go overboard with innovative ideas. It is not a disruptive app, and that's what I don't like because it has the potential to be one.
Here is a table showing the features I liked and disliked the most about the Alpha Progression app interface:
| Interface | Features: |
|---|---|
| Full offline functionality | ✅ |
| Helpful information | ✅ |
| Quick routine creation | ✅ |
| Complete customization | ✅ |
| Fast app | ❌ |
There's not much to say about it, Alpha Progression is an app that will always provide you with the information on how to execute your training whenever you need it. It also offers quick routine creation, unlike similar apps like GYM WP that unnecessarily lengthen this process.
When it comes to the app's speed, there have been moments where it seemed slow to me. I don't know if it's because of my mobile device or the design itself, which takes a few milliseconds to close certain windows, which can be stressful for the most impatient, like myself. However, this only happens in 2% of the overall experience, so it's not a major issue.
Extensive Exercise Catalog in Alpha Progression
I'm tired of doing reviews and always talking about the same topic, but it seems that having a wide variety of exercises in your app makes it indispensable, and honestly, I love it. New users will always appreciate these extensive databases, and I believe they appreciate it even more if they can access them without any ads getting in the way.
Alpha Progression stands out from the rest by not falling into the trap of making money through ads; instead, it focuses on the user experience. And yes, we're talking about the free version. Isn't that brilliant?
Let's talk about its major successes when implementing its exercise catalog for creating our training routine.
Exercises Adapted for the Gym and Home
The first thing I noticed when creating my first training routine was the available equipment, and for that, all I had to do was use the filtering button in the exercise catalog. It provided me with everything I wanted, from bodyweight exercises to weights, cables, kettlebells. I could even choose the specific muscles I wanted to train.
| Database | Filter |
|---|---|
| Gym and Home Adaptive Equipment | ✅ |
| Muscle Selection | ✅ |
Imagine that you don't like the app. Just because of Alpha Progression's training exercise catalog, you can create your own training routines for free. It serves as a source of exercises from which we can draw to create our workouts. If you don't like it, at least you can benefit from this extensive exercise catalog it offers.
Information Provided for Training Adapted to New Users
If you have a workout tracking app, it is extremely important to reach a new audience, especially in this saturated market. The apps that succeed seem to thrive forever because they have the most loyal users. And, as is customary in leading workout tracking apps, Alpha Progression also includes an attraction for the new audience.
When you open the exercise catalog to generate your training routine, tapping on an exercise reveals several functions:
Information 📖
about the
Exercise
Instructions 🏋
for the
Exercise
Graphs 📊
of the
Exercise
In the information section, you can find which muscles the exercise is targeting and a catalog of similar exercises that you can add if the exercise doesn't convince you.
The instructions will help you understand how to perform the exercise visually and in writing. However, free users won't be able to take advantage of the history feature, where graphs are generated to track their progress in training.
Qualities of Alpha Progression as a Workout Tracking App
This is the point that every experienced workout enthusiast wants to know: Is Alpha Progression a comprehensive app? Can I track my weights, repetitions, dropsets, supersets, 1RM, RIR, and see all of that data represented in a graph showcasing my training progress?
Free and Paid Features
Well, yes and no. That's why I'll show you this valuable table that displays which features are available in the free version and which ones are exclusive to the paid version, including those functionalities that are not included in Alpha Progression at all.
| Basic Features | Free Version | Paid Version |
|---|---|---|
| Recording sets, weights, exercises. | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dropsets | ✅ | ✅ |
| Supersets | ✅ | ✅ |
| 1RM | ❌ | ❌ |
| RIR | ❌ | ✅ |
| Graphs | ❌ | ✅ |
| Multiple languages | English | English |
The issue with 1RM is that you can only obtain the 10RM, which is a great idea because I'm not someone who trains specifically to find their 1RM. I usually train for hypertrophy. However, for those who want to test their limits, this app won't show their 1RM in any way, neither in the free nor the paid version.
In my opinion, if you're not an athlete obsessed with tracking your progress over time, the free version of this app meets the expectations of 70% of people who go to the gym to train. If you want something more, you always have the paid version, but for that, you should compare it with other apps because Alpha Progression doesn't stand out solely as a one-time payment app. It has a monthly subscription, which is now prevalent in many successful workout tracking apps. If you're only interested in graphs, there are free applications like Fitnotes that solve that problem.
To conclude with the basic features of Alpha Progression, I want to highlight its ingenious feature to share workout routines through QR codes, which, coupled with its extensive exercise gallery, makes the functionality quite appealing. Finally, its data-saving system in the cloud by simply entering your email address, and even the option to export your workouts in .csv format if you want to send them to your personal trainer.
How Does Alpha Progression Compare to GymNotes?
Just like Alpha Progression, I have also developed my own workout tracking app, which, although far from being as big as Alpha Progression, I believe I can comment on certain aspects that Alpha Progression cannot have.
Comparison of GymNotes vs Alpha Progression
Currently, GymNotes is a simple workout tracking app whose purpose is to offer maximum content for free. That's why I can boast that certain features that Alpha Progression offers as paid features can be enjoyed for free in GymNotes.
Features such as 1RM tracking, custom variant creation, performance graphs for each exercise on a weekly or monthly basis. In addition to features that streamline time wasted during workouts, such as weight distribution on barbells or even dumbbells.
I don't want to get technical because, truthfully, Alpha Progression outshines GymNotes in many ways. If you want an application that currently offers the best workout tracking, then Alpha Progression is your best choice. However, if you want to embrace a promising workout tracking app that aims to make training fun through competitive features, then GymNotes will be your bet for the future.
We aim to build a competitive community in GymNotes that is suitable for both beginners and experienced athletes, but that is something for the future, perhaps in the near future. It may even be available already. However, every month we strive to add new features. Be a part of this process!
In conclusion, Alpha Progression is one of the best workout tracking apps currently available in the market. Once you try it, you know it will serve your training development. From beginners to experienced individuals, everyone can enjoy this app thanks to its extensive exercise gallery, where you can learn and train simultaneously!
If you also want to try our app, GymNotes, here is a link for you to give it a try.
