GymAdapt on your iPhone, Apple Watch for heart rate
Start a Traditional Strength Training workout on the watch for heart rate and calories, and run the session in GymAdapt on your phone: the plan, a video of each lift, one-tap set logging and the next weight. GymAdapt saves the workout to Apple Health as strength training. No Apple Watch app yet, said plainly. Get GymAdapt free on the App Store →
Searches for "Apple Watch Ultra 4 strength training sets reps" took off after the September 2026 launch, because reports from watchOS 27 beta code said Apple would add per-set logging. Apple's release notes for watchOS 27 do not list it, and the Workout app still records strength sessions as a single block of heart rate, calories and time. If you want sets, reps and weight, you need an app. Step-by-step logging instructions: how to log a workout on Apple Watch.
What the Apple Watch Workout app records for strength training
| Built-in Workout app (watchOS 27) | A lifting app | |
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate, calories, duration | Yes | Some, from the watch or Apple Health |
| Sets, reps and weight per exercise | No | Yes |
| Exercise names and order | No | Yes |
| Your next target weight | No | GymAdapt and Fitbod |
| Exercise demos | No | GymAdapt, Fitbod (on iPhone) |
Apple watchOS 27 release notes, checked October 25, 2026. Apple could add per-set logging in a later update; check your Workout app.
The best apps to track sets and reps with Apple Watch
1. GymAdapt (our app)
Free: An AI-built plan for your goal, days, equipment and injuries; unlimited workouts; a video for every lift; full set logging; weights that adjust from what you log for your first 30 days; 25 AI coach messages in your first week, then 5 a week; 3 new AI plans in your first month, then 2 a month.
Paid: Pro is $4.99/month or $24.99/year with a 7-day free trial. It keeps your weights adjusting after the free 30 days, plus unlimited AI coaching and plans. Code TRYFREE01 gives a month of Pro free.
2. Hevy
Free: Unlimited logging, 4 routines, 3 months of charts, ads.
Paid: Pro $2.99/month, $23.99/year or $74.99 lifetime.
3. Strong
Free: Unlimited logging, 3 routines.
Paid: PRO $4.99/month, $29.99/year or $99.99 lifetime.
4. Fitbod
Free: None after the 7-day trial.
Paid: $15.99/month or $95.99/year.
5. SmartGym
Free: Limited free version.
Paid: Subscription (check the App Store for your country).
| App | Apple Watch app | Plans and sets your weights | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| GymAdapt (our app) | No (iPhone only; saves to Apple Health) | Yes | Free; Pro $24.99/yr |
| Hevy | Yes | Hevy Trainer on Pro | Free; Pro from $2.99/mo |
| Strong | Yes | No | Free (3 routines); PRO $29.99/yr |
| Fitbod | Yes | Yes | $15.99/mo or $95.99/yr |
| SmartGym | Yes, watch-first | Routines | Subscription |
US App Store prices, checked October 2026; prices vary by country.
The setup that works best
- On the watch: start Traditional Strength Training so you get heart rate and calories (and your rings).
- On the phone: run the session in a lifting app and log each set. Phones are faster than a small screen for typing weights.
- When you finish: end both. If both apps save a workout, Apple Health shows two entries for the same session; keep or delete one.
- No watch, or a screenless band? The same phone-first setup works; see the best workout app for a screenless tracker.
Will Apple Watch Ultra 4 count reps automatically?
Not in the built-in Workout app as of watchOS 27. Some third-party apps attempt automatic rep counting with the motion sensors, with mixed accuracy on slower lifts. For progressive overload what matters is the weight and reps you log, so most lifters type them in.
Get GymAdapt free on the App Store →
GymAdapt is free to start. Want Pro free for a month?
The free version gives you an AI-built plan and unlimited workouts. Code TRYFREE01 adds a full month of Pro: weights that adjust from what you log and unlimited coach chats.
Redeem the free month → Opens the App Store with the code filled in. iPhone only. GymAdapt is free to $24.99 a year: after the free month, Pro renews unless you cancel in Settings, and the free version stays yours either way.Questions people ask
Can Apple Watch Ultra 4 track sets and reps?
Not with the built-in Workout app as of watchOS 27: it records heart rate, calories and duration for strength training, not sets, reps or weight. Use an app such as Hevy, Strong, Fitbod or SmartGym on the watch, or GymAdapt on your iPhone.
Does watchOS 27 add set and rep tracking?
Reports based on watchOS 27 beta code described per-set reps and weight, but Apple's watchOS 27 release notes do not list it. Check your Workout app after each update.
What is the best strength training app for Apple Watch?
For logging on the wrist, Hevy or Strong. For a plan that sets your weights, GymAdapt on iPhone (no watch app yet) or Fitbod (has a watch app).
Does GymAdapt work with Apple Watch?
GymAdapt has no Apple Watch app yet. You log on your iPhone, and each finished workout is saved to Apple Health as strength training, next to your watch data.
Does strength training on Apple Watch close my rings?
Yes. A Traditional or Functional Strength Training workout counts toward Move and Exercise like any other workout.
A coach, not just a counter, free to start
GymAdapt builds your plan and raises your weights from what you log. Free to start; code TRYFREE01 adds a month of Pro.
Get GymAdapt on the App Store → Free to start. Pro is $4.99 a month or $24.99 a year (7-day free trial), or $59.99 once for lifetime. iPhone only. In English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Japanese.Sources
- Apple: What’s new in watchOS 27 (release notes)
- 9to5Mac: watchOS 27 code reveals changes for Apple Watch Ultra 4 (Sep 8, 2026)
- GymAdapt AI on the App Store
- SensAI: Hevy review 2026 ($2.99/mo, $23.99/yr, $74.99 lifetime; free-tier limits)
- Strong Workout Tracker Gym Log on the App Store
- SensAI: Fitbod review 2026 ($15.99/mo, $95.99/yr)
- SensAI: SmartGym vs Hevy vs Fitbod 2026
