GymAdapt: the strength app Apple never built
An AI plan for your goal, days and equipment, a video for every lift, one-tap logging, a rest timer and weights that adjust to what you log. Workouts sync to Apple Health. Free to start; code TRYFREE01 gives a month of Pro free. Get GymAdapt free on the App Store →
Searching "fitness app iPhone" usually means one of two things: how to use the Fitness app that came with your phone, or which app to download. The short version: Apple's apps are excellent for activity and classes, and silent on lifting. That is the gap most iPhone users fill with a second app.
What the built-in Fitness app does
- Without an Apple Watch, it uses your iPhone's motion sensors for a daily Move goal, steps and trends, plus any workouts other apps save.
- With an Apple Watch, you get all three rings, heart rate and every Watch workout.
- Third-party apps can save workouts into Health so they count toward your rings.
- What it does not do: log sets, reps or weights, or plan your training.
Apple Fitness+
Fitness+ adds studio video classes (strength, HIIT, yoga, cycling and more) for $9.99/month or $79.99/year, or in Apple One Premier. Apple says all you need is an iPhone; an Apple Watch adds your metrics on screen. It is great for classes and does not track your lifts. More in our Apple Fitness app guide.
The best fitness apps to download on iPhone
1. 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), or $79.99 once for lifetime. It keeps adaptive weights on after day 30 and removes the weekly AI limits. Code TRYFREE01 gives a month of Pro free.
2. Apple Fitness+
Free: A free trial, often with a new Apple device.
Paid: $9.99/month or $79.99/year.
3. Hevy
Free: Up to 4 routines and 3 months of charts.
Paid: Pro $2.99/month or $23.99/year.
4. Strava
Free: Activity recording, feed and clubs.
Paid: $11.99/month or $79.99/year.
5. MyFitnessPal
Free: Calorie and food logging.
Paid: Premium $19.99/month or $79.99/year.
6. Nike Training Club
Free: Everything; the app is free.
Paid: None.
iPhone fitness apps compared
| App | Best for | Logs sets and weights | Apple Health | Price (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitness (built in) | Activity rings | No | Yes | Free |
| GymAdapt | Strength | Yes, and sets next weights | Yes | Free · $4.99/mo · $24.99/yr |
| Apple Fitness+ | Classes | No | Yes | $9.99/mo · $79.99/yr |
| Hevy | Logging lifts | Yes | Yes | Free · $23.99/yr |
| Strava | Running, cycling | No | Yes | Free · $79.99/yr |
| MyFitnessPal | Calories | No | Yes | Free · $79.99/yr |
US prices, October 2026. Your App Store shows your local price, which can differ.
The setup most iPhone users end up with
The Fitness app for rings and steps, one strength app for gym days, and Strava or Fitness+ if you run or like classes. Every workout lands in Apple Health, so your rings and history stay in one place. Lifting with an Apple Watch? See the best Apple Watch workout apps.
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. After the month it's $4.99/mo unless you cancel in Settings, and the free version stays yours either way.Questions people ask
What is the best fitness app for iPhone?
For strength training, GymAdapt (free tier; our app, iPhone only). For classes, Apple Fitness+. For activity, the built-in Fitness app. For running, Strava.
Does the iPhone Fitness app work without an Apple Watch?
Yes. It uses your iPhone's motion sensors for a daily Move goal and steps, and shows workouts other apps save. The full set of rings needs a Watch.
Can the iPhone Fitness app track weightlifting?
It can record a strength workout's time and calories, but not sets, reps or weights. Use a strength app that syncs to Apple Health.
Is Apple Fitness+ worth it?
If you like follow-along classes, yes: $9.99/month with new classes every week. If you mainly lift, a strength app is better value.
Is GymAdapt only on iPhone?
Yes. GymAdapt is an iPhone app, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Japanese.
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.