Fitbod App Review

Whether a beginner, or advanced study, if Artificial Intelligence-driven (AI) workouts are of interest, the Fitbod App is certainly worth a look. Launched in 2015 and now well past the start-up phase, Fitbod fills the need of those seeking a professional trainer. The app not only gives them specific exercises, sets, repetitions, and instruction, but adjusts the poundage used in each session based on prior workouts. Completely personalized, the AI-driven app can design workouts to fit any kind of setting using equipment ranging from barbells to treadmills or just bodyweight. Consistently rated highly among the near-100,000 workout apps available, Fitbod is certainly one of the best weightlifting apps around.

Whereas most apps offer a library of workouts, Fitbod specializes in personalization. In establishing a user profile, members can select the gym equipment available to them from an encyclopedic list with every kind of barbell, machine, and fitness toy used today. Fitness goals can be tailored from strength, to mass, tone, cardio, and general fitness. Users can practice powerlifting or Olympic weightlifting movements, or simply learn and explore new exercises. Each exercise movement comes with an instructional video which, while brief, is accompanied by very detailed written instructions. Variables such as preferred training splits, workout duration, muscle recovery percentage, and warm-ups/cool-downs, are also taken into consideration. Cardio training strategies are also offered, with the same approach in terms of offering just about any kind of machine found in commercial gyms or the home.

Fitbod is not a free app. It does offer an introductory three free workouts, and after that, a $9.99 per month, or $59.99 annual, subscription is required. That’s a bit lower than the rest of the paid workout apps, although most do offer some kind of freebie version. That said, after three free workouts, users will certainly know whether Fitbod is for them. The app does sync with Apple Health, Strava, and Fitbit, and coming soon, Garmin. The subscription does come with regular emails updates and notifications of workout ideas. Why we like this app is it hits the full range of weightlifting sports and styles while giving equal nod to cardio and related equipment. The AI-program affords one a personalized workout irrespective of where they are and what equipment is available, meaning one can maintain a dedicated program or mix-and-match for fun.

What You Need To Know

• Offers customized strength and conditioning workouts, complete with instructional videos and body-mapping.
• Features specific poundage recommendations as well as options to replace specific exercises, or adjust goals at will.
• Tracks performance and adjusts the user’s workouts accordingly, offering detailed feedback in terms of goals.
• This app does not offer music integration, so some other playlist will be required.
• Although the app works on both iOS and Android systems, users report the Android version is still relatively new and has some bugs.

Getting Started — What Equipment Do You Need?

Probably the biggest selling point for Fitbod is that it pairs with any equipment, or none at all. Whether a new user establishing a profile, or a member on their 100th workout, the app allows for input the equipment available from free weights, bars, benches, cable machines, weight machines, resistance bands, Bosu Balls, and then a category of “Other Equipment.” Cardio recommendations can be customized with anything from air bikes and rowers, to ellipticals and treadmills, to hiking and jogging. At the onset, one might see this as a gym-friendly app, but Fitbod can generate a nearly unlimited number of bodyweight combos, complete with cardio, warm-ups and cool-downs.

To that degree, we’d say the most important important to consider is the devices one uses with the app. Up until May of 2021, the app was only available on Apple Watch, Fitbit, or iOS systems. With the launch of their Android platform has come some customer complaints, but we’re assuming those bugs will eventually be worked out. Still, it’s clearly an Apple-friendly device designed to sync with Apple Health, an iPhone, and Apple Watch. Compatible with just about any kind of gym toys imaginable, the key equipment question might well Apple or Android.

If connected to Apple Health, the app will store body profiles and individual health metrics like heart rate. Those not hooked up to that might miss out on those functions. Like most exercise apps, social media groups and leaderboards offer members the opportunity to share workouts and compete for progress. This component isn’t really required, but to maximize the app, one might keep that in mind.

What Equipment It Pairs With

The Fitbod app is actually perfect for a garage gym or home fitness fan because it can accommodate any variation of equipment, or none at all. Typical workouts contain seven exercises, plus warm-up and cool-down, but this can be adjusted. Super-sets are also programmable for those interested in that style of exercise. While not a running or biking app per se, cardio can be incorporated into the workouts.

If someone is looking to escape the commercial gym culture and needs a workout buddy for the garage gym, this would be an ideal partner as it logs reps and poundage used. We would point out that if someone is looking to pick up a rower, the Concept2 Model D Rower  is highly rated, priced right, and can work with apps other than its own.

If shopping for a home treadmill anyway, the Sole F80 is among the most highly rated we’ve  seen, and it and others can be reviewed here. While not necessary to use the Fitbod app, there are so many ways to incorporate cardio equipment, it might make sense to shop around.

What to Expect From a Fitbod Workout?

The Fitbod workouts are well-programmed according to individualized goals and preferences. Each will provide the number of exercises contained, the total volume in terms of gross poundage lifted, and an estimated number of calories burnt. Users can determine what kind of workout split to design, Push or Pull in orient, or Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, or bodyweight, among others.

In terms of audience sought, the Fitbod is clearly geared to gym-friendly weightlifters. Fitness fans seeking strength gains, lean mass, and progress tracking, will like it. Not so much for runners or those seeking a cardio-only app, it’s not really a CrossFit or High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) app, although it can be used by those folks if they know what they’re doing. One doesn’t have to be an expert to use this app. The instructional videos for each movement are quite well-done and are accompanied by step-by-step instructions.

In our use of the app, what really stood out was the ability to personalize the settings. The AI program does a great job of recommending rep numbers, sets, and specific exercises needed to hit a goal. And yet, all of this can be changed with the flip of the settings. This means users can keep active on the go, whether traveling out of town, or visiting another gym. Each workout contains a coaching element including videos and detailed instruction.

When partnered with an Apple Watch and Apple Health, Fitbod can track heart rate and keep records of that data and caloric burn. As a rule, most Fitbod workouts include seven exercises, plus a warm-up and cool-down drill, plus cardio. The app itself does not sync with music, so either the gym radio or another playlist will have to be incorporated somehow. New workouts can be generated at will, or designed as a part of a long-term program.

Fitbod Workout Types

Fitbod workouts are highly personalized and differ widely. Coaching tips and high-quality instructional videos are included, along with specific reps, sets, and even suggested resistance levels. Whether using an Apple Watch or iPhone, progress can be logged per the goal. Below are examples of various workouts offered. All Fitbod workouts offer the user the option of substituting exercises and machines. Specific reps and recommended poundage used will change for every user based on past workouts.

Fitbod Full Body Workout

A sample Fitbod Full Body Workout generated on demand could include three rounds of: Burpees, 5 x 9; Hip Thrusts, 5 x 19; and Decline Push-Ups, 5 x 9. This would be followed by Dumbbell Rows at 3 x 10 using 35 pounds. Then, a three-round superset of Bench Dips at 3 x 11 and Lunge Jump at 3 x 10. A three-exercise circuit would include: Biceps Curl to Shoulder Press at 3 x 14 using 20 pounds; Dumbbell Snatch at 3 x 14 using 20 pounds; and Dumbbell Shrug at 3 x 13 at 35 pounds. A four-round superset would follow with four sets of Bicycle Crunches at 4 x 10 and Supermans at 4 x 10. The workout would end with Crunches at 4 x 11.

Fitbod Pull-Day Workout

The Fitbod program allows users to tailor workout strategies by numerous metrics, including Push and Pull Days. A generated Pull-Day workout could begin with 30 minutes warm-up on an air bike, followed by 4 x 9 Dumbbell Rows using 35 pounds. Dumbbell Bicep Curls would be next at 3 x 10 using 25 pounds, then Cable Rows at 3 x 15 using 55 pounds. Barbell Curls would be next with 2 x 12 using 30 pounds. Dumbbell Bent-Over-Rows at 3 x 10 using 30 pounds would be followed by Dumbbell Upright Rows at 3 x 16 using 20 pounds. A Hammer Strength Shrug Machine would then be used for 2 x 12 at 100 pounds, and the workout would conclude with 3 x 11 at 25 pounds.

Fitbod Quads/Hamstrings/Calves Workout

A sample leg workout generated would begin with 30 minutes on a treadmill, followed by 3 x 10 Deadlifts using 105 pounds. Dumbbell lunges would follow with 3 x 8 at 25 pounds. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts would be next at 2 x 13 using 25 pounds, then Jump Squats at 4 x 10. Lying Hamstring Curls at 3 x 15 using 35 pounds would be followed by 3 x 11 Mountain Climbers. A Balance Trainer Mountain Climber would then be used for 4 x 10, and a Standing Barbell Calf Raise using 75 pounds for 3 x 15.

Fitbod 15-Minute HIIT

The program’s bodyweight-only HIIT workout could be 15 minutes consisting of a five-round circuit with: 30 seconds of Burpees, 30 seconds of Hip Thrusts, 30 seconds of Push Ups, and 30 seconds of Bicycle Crunches.

Fitbod TRX Workout

If users select a TRX workout, the program can auto-generate one beginning with 30 minutes of air biking, followed by 3 x 11 TRX Jump Squats. TRX Atomic Push Ups would follow at 4 x 9, then TRX Pike at 5 x 9, and TRX Fallout at 3 x 9. The workout would conclude with TRX Hamstring Pull-Ins at 4 x 19.

Our Experience With Fitbod

Our experience with the app was extremely positive. If someone is looking for a weightlifting buddy that can incorporate cardio and handle any imaginable gym gear, this is definitely it. We used an Apple iPhone for the trials, and as noted, Android users are reporting some difficulty as the app is just now accepting that platform. If the Fitbod folks were looking for recommendations, we’d offer that advancing the Android cause and adding music would be helpful.

Is Fitbod Worth It?

Fitbod offers three free workouts as a trial, and then a $9.99 per month subscription is required. We’d offer that the Keelo app is a good comparable, while it offers more of a CrossFit-style AI program relative to Fitbod’s traditional weightlifting. That said, Keelo offers both a free version and a premium package at $12.99 per month. We’d give Fitbod a slight edge here due to the lower cost and the fact that experienced athletes could use the app accordingly. After three free workouts, users will know if this app is for them, and more will say “Yes” than “No.”