GymAdapt: the sets, reps and weights your watch cannot see
A watch can count steps and heart rate, but it cannot tell 60 kg from 80 kg. GymAdapt logs every set in a tap, picks your next weight and shows a video for every lift. Free to start; code TRYFREE01 gives a month of Pro free.
Fitness trackers are great at what happens all day: steps, heart rate, sleep, runs. They are weak at strength training, where the useful numbers are the weight on the bar and the reps you did. Below are the best tracker apps, what their memberships cost, and how to fill the gym gap.
Fitness tracker apps compared
| App | Device | Free | Membership (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Fitness + Health | Apple Watch / iPhone | Rings, workouts, heart rate, Sleep Score | None needed (Fitness+ classes $9.99/mo) |
| Garmin Connect | Garmin watches | Full tracking and training load | Connect+ $6.99/mo · $69.99/yr (optional) |
| Google Health (Fitbit) | Fitbit / Pixel Watch | Basic stats | Premium $9.99/mo · $99.99/yr |
| Oura | Oura Ring | Very little without membership | $5.99/mo · $69.99/yr + ring |
| WHOOP | WHOOP band | Band included with membership | One $199/yr · Peak $239/yr · Life $359/yr |
| Strava | Any GPS watch or phone | Recording, feed, clubs | $11.99/mo · $79.99/yr |
US prices, October 2026. Your App Store shows your local price, which can differ.
The best tracker app by device
1. Apple Fitness and Health
Free: Activity rings, workouts, heart rate, VO2 max estimate, and a nightly Sleep Score (watchOS 26, Series 6 and later).
Paid: Fitness+ classes are optional at $9.99/month.
2. Garmin Connect
Free: Training load, recovery, sleep, Body Battery and more.
Paid: Connect+ $6.99/month or $69.99/year adds extra insights; the core app stays free.
3. Oura
Free: Little: most insights need the membership.
Paid: $5.99/month or $69.99/year, plus the ring.
4. WHOOP
Free: No free tier.
Paid: One $199/year, Peak $239/year, Life $359/year.
5. 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.
Why trackers get weight training wrong
- They cannot see the load. Ten reps at 40 kg and ten at 100 kg look about the same to a wrist sensor.
- Calories are a guess. Heart rate during lifting is a poor guide to energy used, so treat the calorie number loosely.
- Progress is in the log. The proof you are getting stronger is lifting more weight or reps over weeks, which only a log records.
The setup that works
Wear the tracker for steps, sleep and cardio. Use a lifting app in the gym. If your tracker and lifting app both work with Apple Health, your workouts end up in one place without logging twice.
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 tracker app?
For iPhone users with an Apple Watch, the free Apple Fitness and Health apps. Garmin Connect is the best free app for Garmin owners. Oura and WHOOP are strong for sleep and recovery but need a paid membership.
Do fitness trackers track weight lifting?
They record a strength workout's time and heart rate, but not the weight or reps. For that you need a lifting app such as GymAdapt (our app), Hevy or Strong.
Is a WHOOP or Oura membership worth it?
If you will change your sleep or training based on the recovery score, it can be. If you mainly want to get stronger, the money does more in a training app and a good program.
Does Apple Watch have a sleep score?
Yes. watchOS 26 added a free nightly Sleep Score (0 to 100) based on duration, bedtime consistency and interruptions, on Apple Watch Series 6 and later, Ultra and SE 2 and later.
What app should I use with my tracker for the gym?
A lifting app that logs sets, reps and weight. GymAdapt also plans your workouts and picks your next weight, with a free tier; code TRYFREE01 gives a month of Pro free.
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.