GymAdapt: a bodyweight plan that gets harder as you do
Choose "bodyweight only" or add a pull-up bar and dumbbells, and GymAdapt writes a full plan: push-up and pike push-up progressions, rows, split squats, core work and more, with a video for each move. It logs your reps and tells you when to move to a harder version. Free to $24.99 a year. Get GymAdapt free on the App Store →
Searches for calisthenics apps are up about 50% this year. The right app depends on what you want: a skill like a muscle-up, or general strength and muscle without a gym. Prices below are US App Store prices, checked October 2026.
Calisthenics apps compared
| App | Best for | Free | Paid (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thenx | Skill programs from Chris Heria's team | Free download, limited | $9.99/mo · $119.99/yr |
| Calisteniapp | Biggest free library and skill paths | Large free tier | ≈$9/mo · $59.99/yr |
| Madbarz | Quick bodyweight workouts | 7-day trial | From ≈$9.99/mo |
| Calistree | Personalized skill tree | Limited | ≈$5.99/mo · $44.99/yr |
| GymAdapt (ours) | Bodyweight strength + muscle plan that progresses | Unlimited workouts + plan | $4.99/mo · $24.99/yr |
| Free YouTube programs | Zero cost | Free | Free |
Prices from App Store listings and price trackers, October 2026; they vary by country and change often.
The best calisthenics apps
1. Thenx
Free: Free to download with limited content.
Paid: $9.99/month up to $119.99/year.
2. Calisteniapp
Free: A large free tier.
Paid: Pro about $8.99-$9.49/month or $59.99/year.
3. GymAdapt (our app)
Free: An AI-built plan for your goal, days, equipment and injuries; unlimited workouts; a video for every lift; full logging; 3 new AI plans and 5 coach messages a week; the first 30 days of adaptive weights.
Paid: Pro is $4.99/month or $24.99/year (7-day free trial). Code TRYFREE01 gives a month of Pro free.
4. Madbarz
Free: A 7-day trial.
Paid: From about $9.99/month (US App Store lists up to $88.99/year).
5. Calistree
Free: Limited free version.
Paid: About $5.99/month or $44.99/year.
Can calisthenics build muscle?
Yes. Muscle growth comes from hard sets taken close to failure, and bodyweight exercises count if they are hard enough. In one study, progressive push-ups built as much strength and muscle as the bench press over eight weeks. The catch is progression: once 20 push-ups is easy, you need a harder variation (decline, pike, archer, weighted) to keep growing. That is the job a good calisthenics app does for you.
A beginner calisthenics plan (3 days a week)
| Exercise | Sets x reps | Make it harder |
|---|---|---|
| Push-up (incline if needed) | 3 x 6-15 | Decline → archer → pseudo-planche |
| Inverted row (table or bar) | 3 x 6-15 | Feet elevated → pull-up negatives → pull-ups |
| Split squat | 3 x 8-15 each | Rear-foot elevated → shrimp squat → pistol |
| Pike push-up | 3 x 5-12 | Feet elevated → wall handstand push-up |
| Glute bridge | 3 x 10-20 | Single-leg |
| Hollow body hold | 3 x 20-40 s | L-sit progressions |
When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, move to the next variation. Train Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Which calisthenics app should you choose?
- You want a muscle-up or handstand: Thenx or Calisteniapp.
- You want free: Calisteniapp, or GymAdapt's free plan for strength work.
- You train at home and want to build muscle: GymAdapt, which also handles dumbbells or a bar if you add them.
- You mix the gym and bodyweight days: GymAdapt covers both in one plan. Build your plan in GymAdapt →
More home options: best home workout app with no equipment.
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
What is the best calisthenics app?
Thenx and Calisteniapp are the best for skills. Calisteniapp has the best free tier. For bodyweight strength and muscle that progresses automatically, GymAdapt (free to $24.99 a year; our app, iPhone only).
What is the best free calisthenics app?
Calisteniapp has the largest free library. GymAdapt's free plan includes a full bodyweight program with unlimited workouts.
How much is Thenx?
Thenx is free to download; subscriptions run from $9.99 a month to $119.99 a year in the US (October 2026).
Can you build muscle with calisthenics only?
Yes, if you keep making exercises harder. Research shows progressive push-ups can match the bench press for strength and muscle gains over several weeks.
How often should I do calisthenics?
Three full-body sessions a week is a strong start for beginners, with a rest day between.
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 $79.99 once for lifetime. iPhone only. In English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Japanese.