Squat, Strengthen, and Superset with the Best Weightlifting App (2025), Tested by Trainers

As a strength athlete myself, one of the most important things I’ve had in my 25-year weightlifting career is a coach. A coach helps guide you through your routine, and as an athlete, takes the stress out of worrying about if your program is working towards your fitness goals or not.

Future gets our approval of best overall because it gives you access to one-on-one coaching from the convenience of your smartphone, with excellent coaching and personalized programming in this online personal trainer. That means you can crush home workouts with an extra dose of confidence knowing that you have a trusted resource right within reach.

Several members of the Garage Gym Reviews crew have used Future over the years, including GGR founder Coop Mitchell, who’s used it since September of 2020. GGR Senior Director of Content Kate Meier, CPT, USAW-L1, CF-L1, has also used the app for over two years now, and loves the expert coaching, rating the instruction a 4 out of 5.

Kate used Future and her coach to help rehabilitate from a serious weightlifting injury that required surgery. She says on the programming and coaching, “My Future coach has been phenomenal. She’s helped me keep on track, programming around my injury with one-arm, core, and lower-body exercises. She keeps workouts creative and varied so I’m never bored either.”

Future connects you with a coach who will create a personalized workout plan based on your fitness needs and goals. You can choose your coach from their database to find one just right for you. Your coach will give you tips and cues based on lifting videos, and will also check-in to keep you motivated and accountable. Kate rates the accountability a 5 out of 5, saying, “The accountability factor and personal touch is the main reason I have continued with Future.”

The biggest downside of Future is the price. Although $199 per month still beats the cost of in-person personal training, it’s still an expensive training app—and there’s no free trial, earning it a 1 out of 5 for trial periods. However, for the level of coaching and guidance you get, for many this can be worth the price. Read more about this app in our in-depth Future app review.

If you’re looking for a reliable workout program you can use in the comfort of your home gym, SHRED is the choice. The app customizes the daily and on-demand workouts based on what type of equipment you have, with options for dumbbells, kettlebells, or resistance bands. The app can also create a bodyweight workout if you’re still in the process of building out your home gym. Even if you find yourself training out of a commercial gym, the app can adapt to the equipment available to you.

Certified personal trainer and GGR performance editor Anthony O’Reilly rates the equipment demands a 5 out of 5 due to the app’s variety. “Each program will let you know what type of equipment you need,” he says in our Shred App review. “This way, you don’t accidentally pick a class that doesn’t fit with the type of equipment you have.” You can find options for TRX, cardio, and more.

Before picking your program, make sure you grant the app access to your smartphone’s camera so it can track and rate your performance (using an AI algorithm). The program will be customized based on how well you do.

Anthony adds that while strength training is a major focus of the app, there are many yoga and mobility classes also available. He says the instructors do a good job of explaining each movement as they’re going through it and provide alternatives for people who might not be advanced enough for certain movements. He rated the instruction a 5 out of 5.

It’s not the best app to hold you accountable, as Anthony only rates it a 3 out of 5 here. “There’s some basics like a community feed and the ability to message friends,” he says, “but you don’t have a personal coach who will follow up on you.”

For those new to lifting weights, one the best fitness apps to start with is Caliber. With three different versions available (at three different prices), Caliber focuses on strength training but presents it in ways that will suit various lifters who need different levels of guidance—or who may have different budgets.

After answering a quick assessment, Caliber will offer three versions of the app:

• A free version that uses an algorithm to customize your own workout
• A pro version that presents workouts in a group format
• A premium version that connects you with a one-on-one trainer

There’s no trial, but the free version allows you to get basic features forever, earning it a 5 out of 5 and allowing you to ease into the app at your own pace before paying. The price changes depending on the level of instruction, so the Pro version is $19 per month, while the Premium version can cost over $200 each month. This app provides different levels of coaching, making this a great place for a new lifter to get started.

GGR tester Amanda Capritto, CPT, CNC, CES, CF-L1, says the level of instruction on the premium version may be worth the cost. “You can send form videos to your coach,” Amanda explains. “There’s a feature in the app that lets you record right from within the app, then your trainer will send feedback ASAP on how to correct if needed.”

Even the free version can be a great place to begin, as Caliber provides a substantial library for each exercise, with in-depth directions and videos on how to perform each movement. Amanda rates the instruction 5 out of 5.

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Caliber uses research-backed data to create workouts that follow progressive overload, a common principle in strength training to ensure progress over time. “My coach gives me goals to hit each week regarding weights and reps to ensure I’m progressively overloading,” Amanda says, rating the programming and progressive overload a 5 out of 5. 

She does wish the app integrated other major fitness trackers like Garmin, instead of just the Apple watch. You can learn more about this strength training program in our Caliber app review.

Speaking from my experience in a decades-long career as an Olympic weightlifter, I know that as you progress in your strength training, making so-called “gainz” becomes tougher and tougher. Finding a science-based program is tough. 

Rest assured though; Garage Gym Reviews has collaborated with Boostcamp to create Home Gym Club Training. This resource has hundreds of research-backed programs at your fingertips. 

The workouts provided have something for everyone really, as you can sort through workouts by experience level, the amount of equipment required, or the type of training you’re looking for. However, the bulk of the programs offered are made from top fitness experts, coaches, and athletes—popular fitness experts like Jim Wendler and Dr. Eric Helms, for example.

Once you find a program you like, you can scan a QR code or follow a link to download it and Boostcamp onto your mobile device. Boostcamp is free with unlockable PRO features, earning it a 5 out of 5 for trial periods. Along with a free-forever version, there’s a 7-day trial of the PRO version.

Members of our team have used Boostcamp extensively, even before releasing Home Gym Club Training. GGR Staff Writer Matt Dustin, CSCS, CNC, likes the app for its level of instruction, although it doesn’t hold your hand—rating it a 4 out of 5.

“Most programs have detailed instructions, but allow you to adjust each exercise with the recommended sets, reps, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE), so you can do it on your own,” Matt says about the instruction. 

“There are also video demos for each exercise, but it’s definitely better for experienced lifters needing a tracker or programs to follow,” Matt continues. “It won’t have the detailed step-by-step instructions of a class workout video.”

The app is easy to use, and has tons of features—although some features and programs are only accessible in the PRO version. Programs you follow can be easily adjusted, and you can swap exercises based on your equipment needs, or just preferences. Matt rates the ease of use of Boostcamp a 5 out of 5, adding that it’s easy to chart and track stats of his lifts along with other analytics of your workouts.

JuggernautAI is our pick for the best weightlifting app for powerlifting. Created by accomplished powerlifter and coach Chad Wesley Smith, this app uses an algorithm to create a personalized program for you and your strength goals. 

After an in-depth assessment, the app will create a training program based on your answers—weight, training load, personal records, training schedule, and fitness goals. The app will make adjustments on a short-term basis as well, since it asks about your current level of soreness and fatigue prior to each workout.

While the app focuses on powerlifting and powerbuilding, it will also build strength in other areas as well. Our tester Amanda Capritto, CPT, CNC, CES, CF-L1, has used JuggernautAI on and off for the past year to supplement her triathlon training, and has felt a significant increase in her work capacity. She rates the programming and progressive overload a 5 out of 5, adding, “The JuggernautAI training has also paid off in my triathlon training, as I’ve improved in all three disciplines: swimming, biking, and running.”

Amanda did struggle a little bit with the interface at first, saying, “The dashboard can feel overwhelming at first, especially right after setting up the app. There’s a lot of features to look at all at once. But after poking around for a bit and getting familiar with the interface, it’s super easy to use.” She rates the app’s ease of use a 4.5 out of 5.

At $35 a month, this is a pricier app and program, earning a 2 out of 5 for pricing. Still, you can get a lengthy 14-day free trial to see if you like the program or not. You can check out our JuggernautAI review for a more in-depth look at the app and its features.

CENTR is one of the most well-rounded personal training apps we’ve tried. You’ll get a wide selection of strength training classes, yoga exercises, daily meditations, and meal plan suggestions and recipes written by professional chefs. You’ll also get a logbook to track your progress.

What’s more, the app allows you to select workouts based on your available equipment. You can also pick from bodyweight, home gym, or commercial programs, earning it a 3 out of 5 for equipment demands.

The CENTR app was designed by Marvel actor Chris Hemsworth, aka Thor, and his personal trainer, Luke Zocchi. Although the duo certainly make the workouts challenging, we were impressed at how holistic the training seemed. As expert product tester Brittany Combs notes in her CENTR review, trainees can pick beginner, intermediate, or advanced programs that get progressively harder, earning it a 5 out of 5 for progressive overload.

“I really like the way this app is structured in terms of instruction,” adds Brittany, rating the level of instruction a 4.5 out of 5. “You can do a coached workout or do it by yourself, leaving the amount of instruction up to you. During the coached workouts, they’re doing the workout along with you so the coach is talking and explaining movements through the whole thing.” Self-guided workouts also have video demonstrations, so you’re never in the dark on how to perform exercises.

Certified personal trainer and former GGR Performance Editor Anthony O’Reilly says the app contains some of his favorite recipes, such as maple walnut overnight oats and blueberry and almond breakfast muffins. “I’ll turn to the CENTR app whenever I’m in a meal prep funk and need new ideas,” he says.

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In terms of accountability, there’s not much. We rated this category a 4 out of 5 because certain programs come with push notifications, though that’s not the case for the daily workouts. There’s also no leaderboards or community aspect, which might not be a problem for some people but if you need an extra hit of motivation this might not be the app for you.

For those lacking in equipment and free weights, you may consider Alo Moves for your programming needs. GGR editor Frieda Johnson tested out this app, and gave the equipment demands a 5 out of 5, stating, “The majority of the workouts are bodyweight only, or use minimal equipment such as a kettlebell or pair of dumbbells and a resistance band.”

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After a quick assessment about skill levels and interests, the app provides customized class recommendations for workouts. “The workouts are easy to follow and the instructors do a good job of explaining what you’ll need before you start, as well as explaining each move thoroughly as you do it,” Frieda says of the app experience, rating the instruction a 4 out of 5.

Frieda rates the ease of use of the app a 4 out of 5, saying, “The app is mostly easy to use, but it is sometimes hard to find things and all of the workout descriptions make it sound like they are part of a series even when they’re not.”

This may be a better app for a beginning lifter with minimal equipment, as Frieda notes the programs don’t quite follow the concept of progressive overload, rating it a 2 out of 5. She explains, “They are fine as a place to start, but this app is definitely focused on stand-alone workouts, not full training programs.”

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The app also lacks a bit in accountability, as the only method is through push notifications, and Frieda didn’t receive any during her time with the app. However, for those traveling or with minimal equipment available, this is a solid app to get resistance training with bodyweight movements and minimal fitness equipment.

Hevy is our choice for the best free weightlifting app, as it provides basic workout tracking with simple features, but also an expansive community in the app as well. You can post and share workouts, as well as like and comment on other users’ workouts. Furthermore, the free workout app contains an expansive exercise library with videos and directions on each movement.

There is premium version, but even at under $3 a month, Hevy earns a 5 out of 5 for its pricing.

For those looking for a bit of guidance or inspiration for their daily workouts, Hevy provides some basic workout routines, such as a five-sets-by-five-reps of squats or bench press. You can also search through the community-created workouts for inspiration for your next lifting workout. 

The app also features a heat map, which charts the most used muscle groups in each workout to help you make educated choices on what muscle groups to work each day. Additionally, Hevy provides basic metric tracking, although most measurements are only unlocked in the Pro version of the app.

As far as interactive features go, I rate them a 4.5 out of 5, due to the robust social media experience, as well as notifications for new personal records and little celebrations. One of my squat workouts said I lifted the equivalent of a car. If that can’t keep someone motivated, I’m not sure what will.

This isn’t the best app for accountability, earning a 1 out of 5 for this. There aren’t any coaches in the app, and no notifications about staying on routine—only notifications about the social network. Still, for the amount of community interaction available, plus an extensive library of exercises, Hevy is a solid choice for a lifting app.

We’ll take a slight detour from traditional phone apps for our last recommendation, the Torokhtiy Weightlifting Program, which offers a free two-week version via a downloadable PDF. Led by Ukrainian Olympic weightlifter Oleksiy Torokhtiy, this introductory program to competition lifts consists of four weekly sessions—two focusing on the snatch and two on clean and jerks. 

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Like calls to like, so being a fellow Olympian, I had to try out a few of the available programs and share my experience. I focused my efforts on the highly popular Weightlifting Male 2.0 Program—there’s also a comparable program for women with volume and intensity adjustments. I scored this program a 4 out of 5 overall for its ease of use both with the desktop and mobile PDF and accessible video links for exercise demonstrations as well as weekly training goals and warm-up/cool-down protocols. The app also gets a progressive overload score of 5 out of 5 for its emphasis on volume and built-in de-load weeks.

Where the program falters is its lack of interactive features and accountability. Since it’s not truly an app, there’s no accountability features or notifications, earning just a 1 out of 5. There is an option for a consultation with Torokhtiy himself, but that will cost you $299.

And while I was impressed by the progressive overload enough to give it a perfect score, my one criticism is that there is a ton of volume on even complex movements—pull+snatch, for example. The first day of the Male 2.0 program had 11 sets of two high hang snatches plus two low hang snatches. It was ridiculous; keep that in mind if you’re not into volume.

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Torokhtiy Weightlifting offers a few other programs on the site (all with a heavy emphasis on Olympic lifting), ranging from 12-week strongman trainers to exercise master classes and a full Olympic lift exercise library. I’d mostly recommend this program and others from Torokhtiy to weightlifters who are still relatively new and not quite lifting to their full strength. If you’ve been lifting for a while and your technique is dialed in, it’s just a lot more volume than you really need.

Read more in our Torokhtiy Weightlifting Program review.