Strong App Review: Is It Worth It in 2026?

Strong is like the Toyota Camry of workout trackers - it's not flashy, it doesn't have the newest tech, but it's reliable, well-built, and gets the job done day after day without drama.

After using Strong for three months and logging over 80 workouts, here's our comprehensive breakdown of what makes Strong great, where it falls short, and who should (and shouldn't) use it in 2026.

What is the Strong App?

Strong is a workout tracking app launched in 2014 that focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well: logging your strength training workouts quickly and accurately.

Unlike newer apps that try to be everything (social network, AI coach, nutrition tracker, etc.), Strong maintains a laser focus on workout tracking. You open the app, log your sets, and close it. No distractions, no complexity.

This simplicity is both Strong's greatest strength and its biggest limitation - which we'll explore throughout this review.

Strong App Features Breakdown

Core Tracking Features

Workout Logging: Strong excels at the fundamental task of logging workouts. The interface is clean and intuitive. You select an exercise, enter weight and reps, tap to complete the set. It takes about 10 seconds per set - fast enough that it doesn't interrupt your workout flow.

Progressive Overload Display: During workouts, Strong shows your previous performance for each exercise. This is critical for progressive overload - you know exactly what you did last session and can aim to beat it. This feature alone makes Strong infinitely better than using a paper notebook.

Automatic PR Tracking: Strong automatically detects and saves personal records. When you hit a PR for an exercise at a specific rep range (e.g., your heaviest 5-rep max on bench press), Strong records it. You can view PR history over time, which is motivating and useful for tracking long-term progress.

Rest Timer: Strong includes a customizable rest timer with notifications. Set it to 90 seconds, 3 minutes, or whatever you need. When the timer ends, you get a notification. Simple but essential.

Organization & Planning

Workout Routines: Create templates for your workouts (Push Day, Pull Day, Leg Day, etc.) with pre-selected exercises. Starting a workout is then just selecting the template - the exercises are already loaded. The free version limits you to 3 routines; Strong Pro is unlimited.

Exercise Database: Strong includes hundreds of exercises with animations demonstrating proper form. You can also add custom exercises easily. The database covers all major lifts and most isolation movements.

Workout History: View your complete training history. See every workout you've logged, filter by exercise, analyze trends over time. Strong stores everything, allowing you to look back months or years.

Analytics & Insights

Exercise-Specific Charts: View graphs showing your progress on individual exercises over time. See your volume increasing, your strength going up, and patterns in your training. The charts are basic but functional.

Body Measurements: Track weight, body fat percentage, and custom measurements. Strong Pro lets you add progress photos too.

Volume Tracking: See total volume (weight × reps) per exercise, per workout, per muscle group. This data helps identify whether you're truly applying progressive overload or just spinning your wheels.

What Strong DOESN'T Have

Understanding what Strong lacks is as important as knowing what it offers:

• No AI coaching - No intelligent recommendations, form tips, or personalized guidance
• No workout generation - Strong won't create workouts for you; you build your own templates
• No social features - No community, no following friends, no shared workouts
• No exercise recommendations - It won't suggest alternatives if equipment is taken
• No advanced programming tools - No periodization, deload planning, or auto-regulation features

Whether these omissions matter depends on what you're looking for in a workout tracker.

Strong App Pros and Cons

Strong App Pricing

Who Should Use Strong App?

Strong is Perfect For:

• Minimalists: You want simple tracking without bells and whistles
• Program followers: You already have a coach or program and just need to log workouts
• Experienced lifters: You know what exercises to do and don't need guidance
• One-time purchase fans: You prefer paying once over monthly subscriptions
• Focus-oriented trainers: You don't want social features or distractions
• Progressive overload devotees: You primarily care about beating previous numbers

Strong Might Not Be Right For:

• Beginners needing guidance: Strong won't teach you how to program or suggest exercises
• AI coaching seekers: No intelligent features or personalized recommendations
• Social fitness enthusiasts: No community features or workout sharing
• Template seekers: Strong won't generate workout programs for you
• Data analytics fans: Analytics are functional but basic compared to newer apps

Strong App vs Alternatives

Our Honest Verdict

Strong is an excellent workout tracker for people who know what they want to do in the gym and just need a tool to log it efficiently.

It's been refined over 12 years to be fast, reliable, and distraction-free. If you follow a program from a coach, book, or online source, Strong is perfect - it tracks your work without getting in the way.

However, Strong is showing its age in 2026. The interface, while clean, feels dated compared to modern apps. More importantly, it lacks intelligent features that newer apps provide. There's no AI coaching, no workout generation, no smart recommendations.

For lifters who want more than a digital logbook - those who want guidance, personalization, or advanced analytics - alternatives like PRPath offer significantly more value despite higher prices.

Our Rating: 4.5/5

• Ease of Use: 5/5 - Fast, simple, intuitive
• Reliability: 5/5 - Rock solid, rarely crashes
• Features: 4/5 - Great for basics, lacks modern innovations
• Value: 4.5/5 - Lifetime purchase is excellent value
• Innovation: 3/5 - Hasn't evolved much since 2014

Final Recommendation

Choose Strong if: You want simple, reliable tracking with a one-time purchase option, and you don't need AI coaching or workout generation.

Choose PRPath if: You want Strong's reliability plus AI coaching, personalized workout generation, and intelligent recommendations that help you improve faster.

Choose Hevy if: You want a free option with social features and don't mind ads or freemium limitations.

All three apps offer free trials or free versions - test them yourself and see which fits your training style best.