If you’re an Apple Watch owner who loves the gym, you know the native Workout app has its limits. It’s fantastic for runs, cycling, and other outdoor activities, but it leaves weightlifters and gym-goers wanting more targeted guidance and tracking.
Enter Smartgym, crowned Apple Watch’s App of the Year for 2023. It promises to revolutionize your gym workouts from your wrist. But is it worth the subscription price, or are old-school workout logs and online resources a better fit?
How Smartgym Works (and Why It’s Different)
Smartgym’s strength lies in its massive library of exercises. Forget generic “strength training” – this app breaks down everything from push-up variations to barbell squats, categorizing them by muscle groups and equipment needed. This detailed database is what makes Smartgym work its magic. Here’s how:
- Tailored Workouts: Choose from pre-made workouts or have SmartTrainer create them based on your goals, available equipment, and time preferences.
- Step-by-Step on Your Watch: Once you send a routine to your Apple Watch, it guides you through every exercise, set, rep, and rest period.
- Weight Tracking Made Easy: Manually log the weight you lifted with each set. Smartgym takes that data and generates progress graphs and even estimates your one-rep max.
Is Smartgym Actually Better Than The Free Apple Workout App?
The short answer: It depends on how deeply you want to track your workouts and whether you need that extra structure on your wrist. Here’s a breakdown:
Smartgym Advantages:
- Exercise Specificity: Find exactly the moves you want to include or have SmartGym suggest them based on your goals.
- Focused Design: The whole app is built around weightlifting and gym workouts.
- Detailed Progress Tracking: See the big picture of your strength gains over time.
Free Workout App Advantages:
- Simplicity: For basic tracking (time, heart rate, calories), it’s already on your Watch.
- Fully Automatic: Start a workout, and let the Watch handle the rest during activities like running.
- No Subscription: Can’t beat that price tag!
Who Will Love Smartgym
- Structure Seekers: If you want a plan spelled out on your wrist to follow, it’s a lifesaver.
- Progress Trackers: Data-driven fitness fans will geek out over the progress visualizations.
- Routine Switchers: Bored easily? SmartTrainer keeps generating fresh workouts for you.
Who Might Pass
- Cost-Conscious: The free version is very limited. If you’re not logging reps/weights, it’s overkill.
- Cardio Focused: Runners, cyclists, etc., are better served by the native Workout app.
- DIY-Minded: If you already find workouts online and are happy with your tracking methods, you might find it too prescriptive.
How to Get Started and Decide If You’ll Like It
- Download Smartgym on your iPhone and Apple Watch.
- Go through setup (granting health data permission is key).
- Play with Sample Routines or try SmartTrainer’s creation.
- Send a routine to your Apple Watch and try it out at the gym.
- Free Trial: You get a generous trial period before the subscription kicks in, so experiment!
The Bottom Line on Smartgym
This isn’t a magic pill for instant gains, but it’s a powerful tool if you find yourself lost in the gym, needing a plan, and wanting a clearer picture of your progress over time. The Apple Watch integration is a major plus for those who want that virtual gym buddy on their wrist without constantly pulling out their phone. The free trial lets you decide if it beats your current workout system before committing to a subscription.
