Strong App Review: Is It Worth It? Honest Comparison vs Setgraph
As a loyal Setgraph user since Fall 2022, I haven’t felt the need to explore many other fitness tracking apps, until recently. Over the past week, I decided to dive into Strong, one of the most popular workout trackers on the market. With friends and colleagues regularly using it, I wanted to see how the hype compares to what I’ve come to expect from Setgraph.
Let’s compare these two apps and figure out the pros and cons of each.
What is Strong?
Strong is one of the biggest apps used today for workout tracking. This app is built around strength training, giving a quick way to log their training. Logging a set takes just a couple of quick taps on your phone. Input the weights, then the reps, and you’re done.
Strong has a built-in library of exercises, complete with descriptions of how to perform each one. Most common lifts are covered, with instructions on how to complete them with proper form.
Strong has a feature where it tracks your volume, personal records (PRs), and progress over time, similar to Setgraph. A daily bodyweight tracker is also available for you.
The base version of Strong is free, but there’s a paid Pro version that unlocks unlimited custom routines, progress charts, advanced tools, and full access to your training history.
What is Setgraph?
Setgraph is full of simple but powerful features that make tracking your workouts easy and effective.
You can log reps, sets, and weights in both pounds and kilograms. This makes it usable no matter where you are in the world. The folder system helps you organize your exercises with full customization. I like to separate my folders by muscle group, but you can sort them by push days, pull days, or even specific days of the week. If an exercise is not already in the app, you can create your own.
For an in-depth review of Setgraph, check out my article on How Setgraph Has Completely Changed How I View The Gym.
Strong Pros and Cons
Strong is a popular fitness app, and for good reason. It is simple to use but still has its flaws. With that being said, let’s break it down.
Pros
• Clean and simple interface: Strong has an easy-to-use layout, perfect for tracking sets and making gains
• Descriptions of Exercises: Each main exercise includes an explanation of how to perform that exercise along with a model showing the muscles targeted.
• Workout History: This app shows you your entire workout history, with sets and reps tracked perfectly with the ability to scroll back to any date.
Cons
• Limited use with the free version: Yes, the app is free to use, but it also has its limitations. With Strong, you have to upgrade to the pro version in order to see any of the progress charts over time.
• Weightlifting only: This app focuses primarily on weightlifting and may not be ideal for those looking to track cardio or sport-specific training.
• Lack of guidance: If you’re a beginner looking for your fitness app to create your workouts, you may have to look somewhere else. This app doesn’t give you the guidance that some people may want or are looking for.
Setgraph Pros and Cons
Setgraph is the up-and-coming fitness app I use every single time I work out. It consistently helps me make gains, but can also improve in some areas.
Pros
• Charts track 4 categories: Setgraph charts 4 different graphs. Pound per rep (lb/rep), sets, reps, and volume. You can compare each daily workout to the last, making sure you are progressive overloading to make more gains
• AI Custom Plan: Setgraph has an AI ready to go for your next workout. If you’re just a beginner or an advanced lifter with years of experience, you can use the Setgraph AI and have it tailored to your needs
• Strong Organization: Whether you want to organize your exercises by muscle group, by split, or by day of the week, Setgraph allows you to do so in just a few quick clicks
Cons
• Minimal Community: Setgraph does not offer many options for friends or community motivation at this point in time
• Free Version Limitations: Just like Strong, Setgraph does offer a free version of the app. This limits you to 5 free workouts to decide whether or not you want topurchase the premium membership.
The Final Verdict: Which Wins?
Both of these apps are great fitness apps and can be used to get better results day in and day out. If you’re looking for a simple workout app solely for weightlifting,
Strong might be your option as it is an easy-to-use workout tracker. This app also shows you how to perform exercises, great for beginners who have a plan already and just need to execute it.
For beginners looking for help on creating a workout plan, Setgraph AI has your back. This can help you think less about what exercises to perform and enhance your workout experience.
For those looking for more graphs and analytics, Setgraph appears to show more details than Strong does. However, both track daily workouts and can make progressive overload easy to see
You can’t go wrong with either app. Both have a great approach to making gains in the gym. Analyze the pros and cons of both and make the right choice for you!
