Hevy represents the modern generation of workout trackers - sleek design, generous free tier, social features, and active development. It's gained massive popularity since its launch, particularly among younger lifters who want more than just a digital logbook.
After logging over 75 workouts in Hevy and testing both free and Pro versions, here's our complete breakdown of what makes Hevy stand out, where it falls short, and who should use it.
What is Hevy?
Hevy is a workout tracking app that combines traditional workout logging with social features and community workouts. Unlike minimalist trackers like Strong, Hevy embraces the social fitness trend - you can follow friends, share workouts, explore community programs, and see what others are lifting.
The app launched more recently than competitors like Strong or JEFIT, which shows in its modern design and fresh approach to workout tracking. It feels like Instagram met a workout tracker - in mostly good ways.
Hevy Features Breakdown
Core Tracking Features
Workout Logging: Hevy's logging interface is clean and intuitive. Select an exercise, input weight and reps, complete sets with a tap. The flow is smooth, though not quite as fast as Strong's ultra-minimal approach. Logging a set takes about 15 seconds - quick enough to not disrupt your workout.
Progressive Overload Display: Like all quality trackers, Hevy shows your previous performance during workouts. You see what you lifted last session, making it easy to know what to beat. This is essential for progressive overload and Hevy implements it well.
Automatic PR Tracking: Hevy automatically detects personal records and saves them. When you hit a new max, the app celebrates with you. View PR history over time for each exercise, tracking your strength gains.
Rest Timer: Customizable rest timer with notifications. Set different defaults for different exercises if you want. The timer is reliable and unobtrusive.
Social Features
This is where Hevy differentiates itself from traditional trackers:
Workout Feed: See recent workouts from people you follow. It's motivating to see others crushing their sessions, and you can like and comment on workouts. Think of it as a fitness-focused social feed.
Community Workouts: Browse and follow workout programs created by other users. There are hundreds of routines covering different goals, experience levels, and training styles. Quality varies, but popular programs are generally solid.
Following & Followers: Follow friends or other lifters. See their progress, share motivation, and maintain accountability through the social aspect.
Leaderboards: Some exercises have leaderboards showing top lifts. Competitive lifters might enjoy this, though it can feel gimmicky.
Workout Planning & Templates
Unlimited Routines (Free): Unlike Strong's 3-routine limit on the free tier, Hevy gives you unlimited workout routines even without paying. This is genuinely generous and makes the free version actually useful long-term.
Exercise Library: Comprehensive database with video demonstrations. The videos are well-produced and helpful for learning proper form. You can add custom exercises too.
Plate Calculator: A nice touch - Hevy calculates which plates you need to load on the bar to reach your target weight. Useful for beginners who haven't memorized plate math.
Analytics & Progress
Volume Charts: Track total training volume (weight × reps × sets) over time. See trends by exercise, muscle group, or overall. The visualizations are clean and informative.
Workout Insights: Hevy analyzes your training and provides insights like most-trained muscle groups, workout frequency, and consistency streaks. These stats are motivating for some, though not everyone cares about gamification.
Body Measurements: Track weight, body fat, measurements, and photos. Standard features for fitness apps.
Hevy Free vs Hevy Pro
Understanding what's free versus paid is crucial for evaluating Hevy's value:
Hevy Free Includes:
- Unlimited workouts and routines
- Progressive overload tracking
- Automatic PR detection
- Exercise library with videos
- Basic analytics and charts
- Social features (follow, feed, etc.)
- Community workout programs
- Rest timer
- Cloud backup
Hevy Pro Adds:
- Advanced analytics and insights
- Custom exercise creation
- Workout notes and attachments
- CSV export of your data
- Warmup sets
- Ad-free experience
- Custom folders for organization
- Priority support
Honest Take: Hevy's free version is genuinely usable long-term, unlike many freemium apps that cripple the free tier. You can track unlimited workouts and routines without paying. Pro adds nice features but isn't essential for most users.
Hevy Pros and Cons
Pros
- Generous free version (unlimited workouts)
- Modern, attractive interface
- Social features and community motivation
- Excellent exercise library with videos
- Community workout programs to follow
- Plate calculator feature
- Active development and regular updates
- Cross-platform (iOS and Android)
- Affordable Pro pricing
- Good volume tracking and analytics
- Offline mode works well
Cons
- No AI features or coaching
- Social features can be distracting
- Some advanced features paywalled
- Analytics less deep than PRPath
- Occasional sync issues reported
- No workout generation tools
- Community workouts vary in quality
- Interface busier than minimalist apps
- No one-time purchase option
Hevy Pricing
Hevy Pricing Options (2026)
Unlimited workouts and routines. Genuinely useful for most lifters. Some advanced features restricted.
Full access to all features. Good for trying Pro before committing annually.
Best Value: Saves 44% vs monthly. Works out to $5/month.
Value Assessment: Hevy's pricing is fair. The free version is usable indefinitely, and Pro at $59.99/year is reasonable for what you get. However, there's no lifetime purchase option like Strong offers, which some users prefer.
Hevy vs Strong: Which is Better?
Hevy vs Strong Comparison
Choose Hevy If...
- ✓ You want social features and community
- ✓ You prefer a modern interface
- ✓ You want a generous free option
- ✓ You like exploring community workouts
- ✓ You're on Android
Choose Strong If...
- ✓ You want maximum simplicity
- ✓ You prefer minimal distractions
- ✓ You want a one-time purchase
- ✓ You don't care about social features
- ✓ You value proven reliability (since 2014)
Both are excellent workout trackers. Hevy is more modern and feature-rich; Strong is simpler and more focused. Neither is objectively better - it depends on whether you value social features and modern design (Hevy) or simplicity and one-time purchase (Strong).
Read our full Strong app review →
Who Should Use Hevy?
Hevy is Perfect For:
- Social fitness enthusiasts: You enjoy sharing workouts and following friends
- Budget-conscious lifters: The free version is genuinely good long-term
- Program explorers: You want to browse and try community workout programs
- Modern design lovers: You prefer sleek, contemporary interfaces
- Android users: Hevy works great on Android (unlike some iOS-focused apps)
- Beginners: Free version plus community programs help you get started
Hevy Might Not Be Right For:
- Minimalists: Social features may feel like bloat
- AI coaching seekers: Hevy has no intelligent features or personalized guidance
- One-time purchase fans: Hevy is subscription-only
- Privacy-focused users: Social aspects mean less privacy than solo apps
- Advanced analytics fans: Analytics are good but not as deep as specialized apps
Best Alternatives to Hevy
Top Hevy Alternatives
PRPath - Best for AI Coaching
If you want Hevy's modern approach plus AI coaching, PRPath is the upgrade. ATLAS AI provides real-time guidance during workouts, generates personalized templates, and offers intelligent recommendations. You get comprehensive tracking plus a virtual coach.
Pricing: $9.99/month or $49.99/year (7-day trial) • Best for: Lifters who want intelligent coaching alongside tracking
Strong - Best for Simplicity
Strong strips away social features and focuses purely on tracking. If you find Hevy too busy and want minimalist reliability, Strong delivers. Plus, it offers a one-time lifetime purchase that Hevy doesn't.
Pricing: $4.99/month or $99.99 lifetime • Best for: Those who want simple tracking without social aspects
JEFIT - Best for Exercise Library
JEFIT offers the most extensive exercise database (1,400+ exercises) and hundreds of pre-made workout templates. More complex than Hevy but offers more built-in workout options.
Pricing: Free with ads or $69.99/year • Best for: Those who want extensive exercise libraries and templates
Our Honest Verdict
Hevy is an excellent workout tracker that strikes a good balance between features and usability. The generous free tier makes it accessible, the modern interface is pleasant to use, and social features add motivation for those who want it.
Hevy's main strength is being "good enough" at everything without excelling at anything specific. It's the safe middle-ground choice - you get solid tracking, some social motivation, decent analytics, and a free tier that actually works.
However, Hevy shows its limitations when you want more:
- No AI coaching or intelligent programming features
- Social aspects may distract from training focus
- Analytics are good but not exceptional
- No workout generation beyond community programs
For lifters who want AI-powered guidance and advanced features, PRPath offers more value despite the higher price. For those who want extreme simplicity, Strong is cleaner. But for the "Goldilocks zone" of features - not too simple, not too complex, with a solid free tier - Hevy hits the mark.
Our Rating: 4.3/5
- Ease of Use: 4.5/5 - Intuitive and modern
- Features: 4/5 - Solid selection, lacks AI
- Value: 5/5 - Excellent free tier, fair Pro pricing
- Reliability: 4/5 - Generally stable, occasional sync issues
- Community: 4.5/5 - Active user base and good social features
Final Recommendation
Try Hevy if: You want a free workout tracker with modern design and don't mind (or enjoy) social features.
Choose PRPath if: You want Hevy's modern approach plus AI coaching that actively helps you improve your training.
Choose Strong if: You want simpler tracking without social features and prefer a one-time purchase option.
Hevy's free version means there's zero risk in trying it. Download it, log a few workouts, and see if the interface and features click with your training style.
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Try PRPath Free for 7 DaysFrequently Asked Questions
Yes, Hevy is worth it, especially if you want a free workout tracker with room to upgrade. The free version is genuinely useful with unlimited workouts and routines, unlike many freemium apps. Hevy Pro adds valuable features at a reasonable price. It's ideal for those who enjoy community features and want a modern app without paying upfront.
Hevy offers a free version with unlimited workouts and routines but some feature limitations. Hevy Pro costs $8.99/month or $59.99/year and unlocks advanced analytics, custom exercise creation, CSV exports, and removes some restrictions.
Hevy adds social features, community workouts, and a more modern interface compared to Strong's minimalist approach. Hevy's free version is more generous (unlimited workouts vs 3 routines). Strong offers a one-time lifetime purchase while Hevy is subscription-only. Strong is simpler and more focused; Hevy is more feature-rich with social elements.
No, Hevy does not have AI coaching features. It's a traditional workout tracker with social features. For AI-powered coaching and personalized recommendations, consider PRPath which combines comprehensive tracking with ATLAS AI coach.
Neither is objectively better - it depends on your needs. Hevy is better if you want social features, community workouts, a free option, and modern design. Strong is better if you want simplicity, a one-time purchase option, and don't care about social aspects. Both are excellent for basic workout tracking.